LOVES PARK, Ill. – Rockford’s Kyle Schepel scattered four hits and struck out five over 7 1/3 scoreless innings as he outdueled Traverse City’s Scott Dunn to give the Rockford RiverHawks a 1-0 victory over the Traverse City Beach Bums Thursday night.
The Beach Bums came into the game leading the league in runs scored, but Schepel (3-1) shut down the potent offense and gave the Rockford pitching staff its first shutout of the season. He worked out of a two-on, one-out jam in the third inning by retiring Jose Vargas and Chase Burch, the dangerous middle of the order for Traverse City.
“He (Schepel) did a great job for us tonight, “manager Rich Austin said.
Garrett Granitz picked up his fourth season as he escaped a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the top of the ninth by retiring Vargas on a lineout to shortstop Ted Obregon to end the game.
Dunn (1-2) was the tough-luck loser, giving up just one run on four hits and striking out six in six innings.
The RiverHawks scored their lone run of the game in the fourth inning. Evan Button singled to lead off the inning, and with one out, he advanced to third on a two-base throwing error by catcher Marcus Nidiffer as he tried to pick Button off at first base. Jet Butler singled in Button to give Rockford the 1-0 lead.
Schepel exited with one out and a runner on third base in the eighth inning. Mickey Cassidy worked out the jam by getting Burch to pop out to third base. Cassidy walked Jeff Flagg, but he got Kyle Colligan to ground to third to end the threat. The Beach Bums stranded 12 runners on base in the game.
Rockford improved to 24-30, and Traverse City fell to 37-18.
“This is a big confidence booster for our ballclub,” Austin said.
In the second game of the series Friday, the Beach Bums will send righty Jacob Clem (3-4, 3.12 ERA) to the mound, and the RiverHawks will counter with righty Drew Rucinski (4-1, 2.54 ERA).
Tomorrow is Umbrella Giveaway by West Bend Mutual Insurance and Williams Manny.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league in its 20th season. Games are broadcast on NTA-FM (100.5) Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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