HIGH POINT, N.C. – Four High Point Rockers pitchers combined to throw a one-hitter at the Charleston Dirty Birds in a 5-1 win at Truist Point on Tuesday night. The Rockers fanned 17 hitters, one shy of the club record of 18.
The Rockers are now 25-33 in the second half and 54-67 while Charleston fell to 24-34 and 47-74.
Charleston starter Jorman Reyes Diaz (L, 0-1) walked the first two men he faced in the first before giving up a two-run single to Colin Davis as the Rockers jumped to a 2-0 lead.
The Rockers loaded the bases in the second on a single, a walk and a hit batter. Luke Napleton drew an RBI walk for his 106th RBI of the season before Diaz escaped further harm by getting Ryan McCarthy to ground out to first.
Hogan Windish singled home a run in the third to increase High Point’s lead to 4-0. The Rockers added a fifth run in the sixth when Davis grounded into a bases loaded double play that brought home Ethan Skender.
High Point starter Nick Trabacchi retired the first nine batters he faced before walking James Nelson leading off the fourth. He departed after six innings, having walked two and not allowed a hit while striking out a career-high 10 batters. Nick Timpanelli fanned two of the three batters in tossing a scoreless seventh.
Charleston catcher Joe Deluca greeted Rockers reliever Jesse Hahn with a solo homer to lead off the eighth before Hahn struck out the next two batters. Alec Barger struck out three and walked one in the ninth.
Windish was the only Rocker with two hits though Napleton drew four walks. Charleston pitchers only allowed the Rockers five hits but walked 13 and hit a batter.
Wednesday’s game two of the three game series is set for an 11:05 am start at Truist Point for Education Day. The Rockers will sent RHP Matt Colucci (4-7, 5.73) to the mound to face Charleston’s RHP Francisco Mateo (6-5, 6.56). Rocker fans can follow the action live on DugoutTV.org or the audio broadcast on the free app MixLR.
