Docs rebound to split league doubleheader with Grants Pass
Dr. Stewart’s coaches Jeremiah Robbins (34) and Eric Savage (left) talk strategy with players during a stop in play against the Grants Pass Nuggets. (PHOTO: Nathan Miller/The News-Review)
Missed opportunities in the opener of an Area 4 doubleheader with Grants Pass cost the Roseburg Dr. Stewart’s a chance to sweep the Nuggets on Wednesday at Bill Gray Legion Stadium at Champion Car Wash Field.
The Docs mustered just three hits and left nine men on base in a 2-0 loss, but rebounded to outscore Grants Pass 7-2 in the nightcap of the twin bill.
“We came out and put added pressure on ourselves at the plate, just because we want to excel so darn bad,” Docs coach Eric Savage said. “It was nice to see us come in the second game, from the first pitch, very aggressive.”
The win was the first of the season for Grants Pass (1-12, 1-5 Area 4), while the Docs stayed at .500 in league play.
The Nuggets notched two runs in the first inning of Game 1 against Roseburg starter Ty Hellenthal. Cole Carnes and Luke Morgan got on with back-to-back singles and Keller Bloodworth reached on a walk to load the bases.
Hellenthal plunked A.J. Elzy to bring home the first run and the Nuggets added a second run on a double play.
The 2-0 advantage was all that the Nuggets needed. Alijah Zauher, Logan Zavolta and Morgan combined to shut out the Docs. The trio allowed three hits, two walks and had seven strikeouts.
Roseburg’s hitters were 0-for-6 with men in scoring position. Zauher earned the win after pitching the first three innings.
The Docs salvaged the night with eight hits in Game 2.
Logan Anderson was 2-for-2 with two walks and Hellenthal was 2-for-3 with an RBI double. Cole Collins drove in two runs after getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and doubling in the fifth inning.
Drew Camp handled the Nuggets, tossing six innings and allowing five hits, two runs, no walks and striking out four.
The Docs racked up three runs in the second for a 3-1 advantage and added a run in the fourth and three more in the fifth.
“All of our pitchers had great outings,” Savage said. “We gave ourselves a chance, but now we just got to go out there and figure this out offensively.”
Dr. Stewart’s is headed to Medford to play in the Coach K Tournament starting on Friday. Roseburg will face Fairfield, California, to begin the tourney.
First Game
Grants Pass;200;000;0;—;2;6;3
Roseburg;000;000;0;—;0;3;1
Zauher, Zavolta (4), L. Morgan (6) and A.J. Elzy; Hellenthal, Harrison (6) and C. Robbins. W — Zauher. L — Hellenthal (2-2). Sv — L. Morgan.
Second Game
Grants Pass;010;100;0;—;2;6;2
Roseburg;030;130;X;—;7;8;0
Nodine, Snodgrass (2), Carnes (4), Fischer (7) and Burden; Camp, Siewell (7) and Hellenthal. W — Camp (1-0). L — Nodine. 2B — Hellenthal (R), Collins (R). 3B — Kissel (GP), St. Clair (R).