The Rhein Rockets are headed back to the Richardson Pioneer Men’s Fastball League finals.
WYNYARD - The Rockets were into a one game semi-final with the Wynyard Blues after the opening game of a what was to be a best-of-three set was nullified after darkness ended the opening game in Rhein deadlocked 10-10 after six.
So the teams met Friday in Wynyard for one game, the winner advancing and the loser left to wait until next season, and the Rockets emerged 13-7 victors.
Wynyard’s Michael Jordan hit a lead-off home run, after doing the same thing Wednesday in Rhein and Wynyard was up 2-0 after the first inning.
The game would see runs come in bunches.
Rhein went 4-2 after the second and extended the lead to 6-3 after three.
The Rocket lead grew to 9-3 after Rhett Reeve hit three run home run in the fourth.
But the Blues made it tense for the Rockets late in the contest scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut lead to 9-7.
In the seventh Jason Smalley hit a two out, two run double, followed by an Evan Neibrandt two run home to seal the 13-7 win after the Blues could not plate a run in their final at-bat of the season.
Grant Edgar had a fine day at the plate for Rhein with three hits and four runs-batted-in and all coming with two outs.
Terry Peppler was the winning pitcher, while Michael Jordan took the loss.
The Rockets now face the Neudorf Posse in the league final. Game one goes at 6 p.m. Monday in Rhein, with the teams meeting again Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Neudorf.
