Hornets Extinguish Phoenix

The Saline Hornets won both ends of a double header against the Ypsilanti Phoenix Thursday night in two different ways.  The Hornets won the first game 6-0 and mercied Ypsilanti 11-1 in the nightcap.

Saline won the first game with pitching and the long ball.  Starter Brent Vaccaro went all seven innings, gave up no runs and only a few base runners.  Offensively, Derek Owings powered the Hornets with a two run home run and a three run blast.  Nick Ostrander provided the other Hornet run with a double before Owings’ second home run. 

“The first one I was sitting fastball and he gave me one.  The second at-bat, he gave me a fastball and I just turned on it.  It felt good.  It was big to start off the season right and the league right,” said Owings.

The second game was won with patience at the plate and solid defense.  Ostrander started the game for Saline and went four innings and gave up one run while striking out four and walking two.  Brandon Krebs pitched the fifth inning in relief and struck out two.  Saline’s offense needed patience in game two, as the Phoenix pitcher had control problems all game.  The Hornets drew six walks off the starter and scored eight runs before driving him from the mound.  Saline scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth, with a bases loaded hit batter driving the final nail in the coffin. 

“I thought we did a good job of staying disciplined most of the day and didn’t chase too many out of the zone.  It was nice to see the defense make some plays and get a couple timely hits,” said head coach Scott Theisen.

The Hornets travel to Tecumseh to play another double header on Friday, April 22.