Strykers: Bow 8-4 on Dog Day

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Strykers Dog Day was a huge success Saturday outside of Strykers Stadium on the campus of The Woodlands Christian Academy. Inside the ballpark, however, the Strykers weren’t as successful, dropping an 8-4 decision to Texas Collegiate League leaders East Texas Pump Jacks.

Strykers Michael Aquino, Carter Burgess and Rickey Sanchez all hit solo homers and John Almogabar threw four innings of no-hit relief. But it wasn’t enough to offset the output of the league leaders, who scored twice in second and sixth innings while sandwiching in a three-run fourth inning.

Seven different Strykers shared in the nine-hit attack with two each coming from Burgess and Aquino, who leads the league in homers (9) and batting average (.336) and third in the league in RBI (34). Burgess is second in the league in homers (6) and RBI (36).

Garrett Lozano (.298) and Sanchez (.296) added a hit apiece. The two rank fifth and sixth respectively among the top hitters in the league.

Dan Perkins, Adrian Lopez, and Tim Redden, rounded out the hit parade with one each.

Almogabar turned in his best and longest effort of the season, striking out three and walking four. He relieved starter Cameron Walker (2-2).

The loss snapped a five-game home win streak for a Strykers team that had previously won nine of 10 home games.

The Strykers’ current five-game homestand continues at 7:05 p.m. Sunday when the Brazos Valley Bombers come to town. After a day off on Monday, the Strykers’ final homestand of the season concludes with 7:05 p.m. games Tuesday and Wednesday with the Alexandria Aces.