Strykers drop openers

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Defending Texas Collegiate League champion Brazos Valley Bombers erupted for 10 runs in the third inning to defeat the Woodlands Strykers, 15-1, Saturday at Strykers Stadium on the campus of The Woodlands Christian Academy.

Ten walks from two Strykers pitchers helped enable the Bombers to their big inning, while sending the home team to its second loss to open the 2014 season. The Strykers dropped a 9-8 12-inning season opener to the Victoria Generals on Friday after Thursday’s scheduled curtain-raiser was rained out.

The Strykers conclude a season-opening three-game homestand when they host the Bombers again at 7:05 p.m. Sunday. It is also one of two scheduled “Bark in the Park” dates where fans may bring their dogs to the game. Full details can be found by clicking here.

The Strykers had little to howl about on Saturday. Shortstop Nathan Halas went 2-for-2 and drove in the Strykers’ run with a seventh-inning single, scoring leftfielder Sean Coleman.

Braxton Markle put out the fire, pitching the final six innings for the Strykers, allowing just two hits while striking out nine.

The Strykers scored four runs in the first inning of the season opener on Friday, then rallied for three runs in the sixth inning to erase a 5-4 deficit only to have the visiting Generals tie the game with single markers in the eighth and ninth innings. Each team scored a run in the 10th inning before the Generals won it with a run in the top of the 12th.

Kevin Santana, playing left field, went 4-for-6 with a pair of doubles and three RBI. Third baseman Cody Clarke added a 3-for-4 night with a double and two runs scored. First baseman Spence Rahm added two hits and drove in a run.

Lead-off hitter Mark Whitehead scored three times, but the Strykers left 16 runners on base.

Devin Skapura was the Strykers’ Opening Day pitcher, working five innings while giving up just two earned runs. He struck out four. Three more pitchers followed Skapura to the mound. Dusty Dworak and Gandy Stubblefield each went two innings, yielding a run apiece. Coleman threw three innings, allowing just one earned run.