The Rafters were held scoreless in the 1st and 4th innings, but put up crooked numbers in the other six “ups” in a 14-4 smackdown of the Javelinas. Robert Hassell was the only National in the starting lineup. He batted fifth and went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple, three RBI, and a run scored. …
Max Romero Jr. was the only National to appear in the game. The 23-y.o. Miami, FL native started behind the plate and went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI on a sacrifice fly, a whiff, and a run scored. Defensively, he had 14 putouts – all on strikeouts.
The Rafters (4-4) remain home to host the Javelinas (2-7) this afternoon.
The Rafters pushed across a run in the 8th to avoid the shutout, but not the loss as they dropped this one, 3-1 to the Scorpions.
Robert Hassell was the sole National in the starting lineup. He reached base just once on a walk while going 0-for-3 out of the leadoff spot. Defensively, he had no putouts or assists but fielded three singles.
Dustin Saenz made his second appearance but was no less ineffective, giving up two solo HRs and three hits total over two innings in relief. He wsa charged with the loss.
Michael Cuevas cordero’d around two two-out singles in the 8th but caught the last man looking for his second strikeout in the inning, lowering his fall ERA from infinity to 36.00.
Salt River (3-4) returns home this afternoon to host Mesa (6-2).
The Rafters got within one twice – 3-2 and 5-4 – but ultimately fell, 6-4 to the Saguaros.
Three Nationals appeared in the game.
● Robert Hassell continues to hit, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored to push his fall line to a Nintendo-esque .529/.556/.941 (9-for-17).
● Max Romero Jr. caught the game and hit a solo HR, but had another steal against him.
● Matt Cronin threw a clean inning in the 4th, retiring the side in order on 11 pitches.
Salt River (3-3) visits Scottsdale (2-4) tonight
Season Review: The 2024 DSL Nationals After a trainwreck in 2023, it’s hard not to describe 2024 as anything but an improvement for the DSL Nationals. The ’24 D-Nats bats were below-average on offense—like most Nationals affiliates, natch—but they weren’t the worst in the DSL as they were in 2023. The ’24 arms weren’t as …
Salt River jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the 1st and never trailed as the Rafters trampled the Saguaros, 14-1. Robert Hassell started in centerfield, where he had three putouts and fielded two singles. At the plate he doubled twice, scored once, and drove in two. He also took one off the helmet (pictured …
The Rafters paddled back from a 9-1 deficit, including a five-run 8th, to force extras with the Saguaros. Alas, they could not finish the job as Surprise plated the free runner in the 10th to win 11-10. Two Nationals appeared in the game: ● Michael Cuevas (pictured above) was the first man out of the …
Salt River rallied again in the middle innings, erasing a two-run deficit with a three-run 6th to take their second straight game, 6-4. Robert Hassell (pictured, from 2023) led the Rafters batters with three hits and three RBI, including a two-run HR in the 7th that put Salt River on top for good. The 23-y.o. …
Two Nationals appeared in the game:
● Cayden Wallace started at third base. Like the 118th Congress, he did nothing defensively. However, at the plate the 23-y.o. singled, doubled, and scored a run. He also struck out twice.
● Luke Young pitched the final two innings to earn the save. He gave up one hit, walked none, and struck out none on 19 pitches (12 strikes).
Next up: An afternoon game between the Rafters and the Solar Sox in Mesa.
The 2024 AFL campaign kicked off for the Nats’ contingent with a 9-8 loss by the Salt River Rafters to the Scottsdale Scorpions. Three Nationals were in the starting lineup and two came out of the bullen. Cayden Wallace, a.k.a. the return from the Hunter Harvey Trade, started at third base and went 1-for-5 with …