High Point, NC- The Kentucky Wild Health Genomes rallied from a 9-4 deficit to defeat the High Point Rockers 10-9 Tuesday night at Truist Point.

Down three runs in the ninth inning, the Genomes cut the deficit to a single run with a two-run single by Luke Becker off High Point closer Ryan Dull (3-1). After Dull walked Felix Pie, Rockers manager Jamie Keefe summoned rookie Cam Cotter out of the bullpen to face Khris Davis. The former MLB slugger with 221 career major league home runs drove a double into the right-center field gap that plated both runners and completed the comeback.

High Point (7-16, 46-43) dominated the early stages of the game, getting on the board in the first inning with a Jerry Downs sacrifice fly. They would add two more in the second on a RBI double from Jerry Downs and a single from Giovanny Alfonzo. High Point would stretch the lead again in the third when Zander Wiel motored around the bases for a triple, scoring Jerry Downs in the process.

After the Genomes (13-12, 47-43) got on the board in the fifth inning, thanks to a Becker single. High Point promptly responded with two of their own in the bottom of the frame. Both teams scored twice in the seventh inning, and the Genomes added two more in the eighth, setting up their ninth-inning heroics.

In losing tonight’s game, the Rockers drop to one game behind the Genomes in the race for the Wild Card berth in the 2022 Atlantic League Playoffs, should it come into play.

For High Point, starter Craig Stem tossed six innings, allowing two runs. Downs recorded 3 RBI, while Alfonzo notched four hits and drove in a pair.

The Rockers and Genomes resume their midweek series tomorrow at 6:35 PM at Truist Point, with Liam O’Sullivan (0-3, 7.54) getting the ball for the Rockers and former Rocker Max Povse (4-8, 6.02) countering for the Genomes.

WALDORF, Md. – The High Point Rockers had their three-game winning streak snapped on Sunday afternoon in a 5-1 loss to Southern Maryland at Regency Furniture Stadium.

Ben Aklinski led the Rockers with three hits as part of High Point’s seven-hit attack. Aklinski had a triple in the eighth inning and his solo homer leading off the sixth was the only run on the afternoon for the Rockers.

The Rockers are now 46-43 overall and 7-16 in the second half of the Atlantic League season.

Southern Maryland took a 1-0 lead in the first when Alex Crosby hit a three-run homer, scoring Jared Walker who had walked, and Michael Wielansky who had singled. The Blue Crabs extended the lead to 4-0 in the fourth on a Matt Hibbert double and an RBI single from Michael Baca.

Aklinski pulled the Rockers to within 4-1 with his solo homer leading off the sixth inning. It was Aklinski’s 15^th homer of the year.

Neil Uskali (L, 3-3) started for the Rockers after being activated from the Injured List earlier in the day. It marked Uskali’s first appearance since June 17. Uskali went three innings and allowed four hits and three runs while walking three. Knowing he was on a shortened pitch count, Rockers manager Jamie Keefe opted not to use a DH and Uskali singled in his lone at-bat.

Mickey Jannis, a knuckleball-throwing righthander who made one start in the Major Leagues with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021, went three innings for the Rockers in his first appearance. He allowed just one run and three hits over three innings while striking out three.

High Point reliever Gabriel Castellanos allowed a run in the seventh when Alex Crosby hit an RBI single to score Braxton Lee who had reached on a fielder’s choice.

Southern Maryland’s Eddie Butler (W, 9-2) tossed 7.1 innings and struck out five while walking only one.

The Rockers will enjoy an off-day on Monday and then begin a three-game homestand with the Kentucky Wild Health Genomes on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. at Truist Point.

WALDORF, Md. – The High Point Rockers won their third straight game as Michael Russell collected four hits and scored four runs and Jerry Downs and Cesar Trejo each drove in a pair of runs in a 12-10 win over Southern Maryland at Regency Furniture Stadium on Saturday night.

The Rockers scored once in the first inning without making contact with the ball. Southern Maryland starter Adrian Cook walked Russell to start the inning. After Ben Aklinski was called out on strikes, Cook walked Downs before striking out Zander Wiel. Another walk to Quincy Latimore loaded the bases before Logan Morrison drew an RBI walk that scored Russell.

In the second, Cook walked Mike Gulino with one out and Russell’s double to center brought home High Point’s second run of the night. Aklinski then singled to move Russell to third before he scored on a groundout by Jerry Downs.

High Point extended its lead to 6-0 in the top of the third on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Ladendorf, an RBI double by Alfonzo and a pair of Blue Crab errors that allowed Alfonzo to score from second.

In the bottom of the third, Southern Maryland’s Braxton Lee homered off High Point starter Sam Burton, scoring Michael Baca and Michael Wielansky to pull the ‘Crabs within three at 6-3. In the fourth, Michael Falsetti homered with two men on to tie the game at 6-6. Southern Maryland took an 8-6 lead with a pair of runs in the fifth off High Point reliever Nathan Bates (W, 1-0) coming on a Lee RBI double and an RBI ground out by Jared Walker.

The Rockers went back on top in the sixth when Jerry Downs singled to score Michael Russell and Cesar Trejo delivered a two-run double.

The Rockers scored twice in the top of the eighth for a 12-8 lead when Gulino walked to lead things off and moved to second on a single by Russell. Aklinski drew a walk from Southern Maryland reliever Patrick Baker to load the bases. Gulino scored on a passed ball before Wiel singled to plate Russell. Wiel then stole second and another passed ball allowed Aklinski to score.

Southern Maryland tallied twice in the ninth off High Point closer Ryan Dull. Matt Hibbert’s double scored two and pulled the Blue Crabs to within a pair of runs at 12-10 but Dull induced a fly ball to center from pinch-hitter Mat Latos and Aklinski made a diving catch to end the game.

Dalton Geekie (L, 1-2) allowed three runs in the sixth and was tagged with the loss for Southern Maryland.

Burton went four innings and allowed six runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Bates allowed two runs on two hits in his one inning of work. Cam Cotter worked a scoreless sixth and Bryce Hensley did the save in the seventh.

High Point and Southern Maryland will play the final game of the three-game series on Sunday at 2 pm at Regency Furniture Stadium.

WALDORF, Md. – The High Point Rockers hit five home runs and held Southern Maryland to just five hits in an 11-5 win Friday night at Regency Furniture Stadium.

Tyler Ladendorf hit two home runs and drove in four in leading the Rockers’ offense. High Point starter Ivan Pineyro (W, 4-1) went 6.1 innings, held Southern Maryland to three runs on three hits while walking three and striking out four.

High Point began the scoring in the second inning when Blue Crabs starter Mitch Lambson hit Quincy Latimore with a pitch to start the frame. Latimore moved to second on an infield single by Jay Gonzalez and scored on a single by Giovanny Alfonzo for the Rockers’ first run. A wild pitch by Lambson moved Gonzalez and Alfonzo to second and third before Gonzalez scored on a groundout by Dakota Mulcay.

The Rockers extended their lead to 5-0 with a three-run third. Ben Aklinski started the inning with a solo homer and was followed by a double off the bat of Jerry Downs. Downs moved to third on another Lambson wild pitch before Gonzalez hit a two-run homer, his third of the year.

Ladendorf led off the fourth inning with a solo homer to give the Rockers a 6-0 lead. The Blue Crabs scored their first run of the night in the fourth on a Michael Wielansky double and a pair of infield groundouts.

Zander Wiel’s solo homer in the fifth, his 25^th homer of the year, provided the Rockers a 7-1 lead. That lead ballooned to an 8-1 advantage in the sixth when Mulcay walked, moved to second on a single by Michael Russell then scored on an Aklinski double.

Southern Maryland chased Pineyro in the seventh. The Blue Crabs scored four times in the seventh to pull within 8-5. Michael Baca and Jack Sundberg each delivered two-run singles in the inning.

Ladendorf’s second homer of the night, a three-run shot in the ninth scoring Wiel and Alfonzo who had each singled, put High Point up 11-5.

High Point is now 45-42 overall and 6-15 in the second half of the Atlantic League season.

 

 

 

High Point and Southern Maryland will meet in the second game of the three-game series on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. at Regency Furniture Stadium.

LEXINGTON, Ky., – Zander Wiel hit his 24^th home run of the year and drove in four runs to lead the High Point Rockers to a 9-7 win over the Kentucky Wild Health Genomes on Thursday night at Wild Health Field.

Wiel singled in two runs in the third inning and added a two-run homer in the seventh as Craig Stem threw seven innings and earned the win to improve to 3-3 on the year.

The Rockers scored four times in the third off Kentucky starter Max Povse. Povse retired the first six batters he faced but ran into trouble in the third. Tyler Ladendorf reached on a fielding error by Kentucky second baseman Luke Becker. After a flyout from Giovanny Alfonzo, Ladendorf stole second as Povse walked Mike Gulino. The pair then each moved up by stealing a base. A walk to Michael Russell loaded the bases and Jerry Downs double home two runs. Wiel then singled to score two more runs and give the Rockers an early 4-0 advantage.

The Genomes closed the gap in the bottom of the third when Stem allowed singles to Gavin Johns and Luke Becker to start the frame before Chis Shaw hit his ninth homer of the season to make it a 4-3 High Point lead.

High Point extended its lead to 5-3 in the fourth when Quincy Latimore reached on a throwing error by third baseman Jimmy Paredes then moved to third on a double by Alfonzo. Povse then committed a balk to bring Latimore in to score.

The Rockers went ahead 6-3 in the sixth when Ladendorf reached again on a error. He scored easily from second on Alfonzo’s liner off the wall though Alfonzo was thrown out trying to stretch the single into a double by rightfielder Teodoro Martinez. Samir Duenez hit a solo homer in the sixth for Kentucky to leave the Rockers with a 6-4 lead.

In the seventh, Downs led off with a single to left and scored on Wiel’s 24^th home run of the year to give High Point an 8-4 lead.

Stem went seven innings and allowed nine hits and four runs while striking out five and throwing 101 pitches.  Bryce Hensley came on in the eighth and allowed a single to Martinez and a walk to Duenez before Austin Rei homered to close Kentucky’s deficit to 8-7. Ryan Dull entered following the Rei homer and retired Johns for the final out of the eighth.

The Rockers added an insurance run in the ninth when Aklinski walked, Downs and Wiel were hit by pitches and Jay Gonzalez lifted a sac fly to center to score Aklinski for a 9-7 lead.

Dull gave up a pair of hits in the ninth but kept the Genomes scoreless to earn his seventh save of the season.

High Point improved to 5-15 in the second half and 44-42 overall. Kentucky is also 44-42 leaving the two clubs tied for the moment in the Atlantic League wild card race.

The Rockers will open a three-game series at Southern Maryland on Friday at 6:35 at Regency Furniture Stadium.

The High Point Rockers have made a number of roster moves in the last few days. Here is a recap of all the activity:

 

Austin Glorius, RHP: Retired. The righthanded pitcher from Orlando, Fla. joined the Rockers this season after being acquired from Gastonia in a trade for catcher Stuart Levy. Glorius posted a 3-6 record with a 6.22 ERA in 18 appearances including 12 starts. He was the winning pitcher on Opening Night 2022 with a win over the Wild Health Genomes.

Johnny Barbato, RHP: Retired. Barbato spent his entire time with the Rockers on the Injured List while trying to regain the form that led him to an 11-year professional baseball career. Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the sixth round of the 2010 draft, he appeared in the Majors with the Yankees, Pirates and Tigers.

Chris Proctor, C: Traded to Lancaster. A former Duke catcher, Proctor spent the last half of June and the first half of July on the Injured List and in his absence, the Rockers acquired catcher Dakota Mulcay. With Proctor’s recent return, the Rockers were carrying three catchers and one was available. Proctor hit .296 with High Point with nine doubles and 17 RBI.

Cole Aker, RHP: Acquired from Lancaster for Chris Proctor. The Northwest Guilford High School graduate played at North Carolina in 2016-17 and at the University of Tampa in 2018. Aker spent three seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization and joined the Lancaster Barnstormers for the 2022 season. Aker was 2-2 with a 5.64 ERA with the Barnstormers this season in 20 appearances, all in relief. Aker earned wins against Long Island and Staten Island and made two appearances against the Rockers this season.

Gabriel Castellanos, LHP: Signed as a free agent. Castellanos spent his entire professional career in the Miami Marlins organization including a number of years in Greensboro. He and current Rocker Giovanny Alfonzo were teammates in both Batavia, NY and Greensboro. A starter for most of his career, he has also been a reliever and will help the Rockers in the bullpen initially.

Cam Cotter, LHP: Signed as a free agent. The former Northern Guilford High star moved to NC State for his college career which was disrupted by a number of injuries. Now healthy, he looks to regain the form that made him an all-state player in high school and will work out of the Rockers bullpen.

Chasen Bradford, RHP: Retired. The former Major League reliever who owns a 7-0 MLB record, started the year as High Point’s closer. After a stint on the Injured List, Bradford returned to action out of the bullpen where he had earned seven saves. But at 32, Bradford chose to retire and has returned home.

Jonah Scolaro, LHP: Signed by the White Sox. Signed out of Florida State not long after the Seminoles’ season ended in the NCAA Regionals, Scolaro made six starts for the Rockers and posted a record of 2-3. The lefthander, who would have most-likely been selected in the MLB Draft had he remained at Florida State, was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an undrafted free agent and made his first appearance for Class A Kannapolis on July 27.

Cesar Trejo, OF: Signed as a free agent. Trejo initially joined the Rockers in 2021 and hit .280 in 26 games. He was traded to Southern Maryland in June and in 2021 has played with Cleburne, Gastonia and the Gateway Grizzlies. The Rockers re-signed Cesar on July 26.

J.R. DiSarcina: Signed as a free agent. The infielder spent all of 2021 with the Rockers as an apprentice in the infield, learning the craft from Michael Martinez, Giovanny Alfonzo, and Michael Russell. He spent the first part of 2022 with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association and was re-acquired by the Rockers on July 26.