Game 1 vs. Long Island Ducks...finally back @ home!

Well, after the boys landed in Houston around noon, they had a short time to prepare for tonight's game...and figure out what hey needed to do to stop the losing streak at 6 straight.

A new player for the Skeeters, Ofilio Castro, was activated and took the field at SS...to hopefully firm up the middle of the field and reduce errors and bobbles.

1st inning - Matt Wright took to the bump and even after allowing a single, was able to retire the side in order thanks to a double play. The Skeeters top three, Harrison, Locke, and Botts, went 3 up & 3 down. The score was 0-0.

2nd inning - Wright faced 5 Ducks and allowed a run to score off of a triple before the side was retired. The Skeeters went 3 up & 3 down for the 2nd inning in a row. The score was 1-0.

3rd inning - Despite a single by the Ducks, and thanks to a caught stealing, both teams went 3 up & 3 down...the 3rd inning in a row for the Skeeters. The score remained 1-0.

4th inning - Once again, Wright faced 5 Ducks, allowing 2 singles and a hit by pitch, but was able to hold the Ducks scoreless. Harrison, Locke, Botts, and Pressley came to the plate and got nothing done with Locke's single...the score remained 1-0.

5th inning - Wright found his command and faced only 3 Ducks, retiring the side in order. After a Van Ostrand fly out to LF, Ofilio Castro made his presence known in the line-up as he belted a double for his 1st hit as a Skeeter. Bell grounded out to 1st base, advancing Castro to 3rd base. With 2 outs, Octavio Martinez made it to 1st base on a SS error...plating Castro to tie the game. Marcos Cabral walked, giving the Skeeters 2 base runners but Harrison flew out to CF, ending the inning. The score was 1-1.

6th inning - Just as they did in the 3rd inning, both teams went 3 up & 3 down...the 4th such time for the game. The score remained 1-1.

7th inning - Both teams sent 4 players to the plate and each team got a double from the second batter in the inning...Ofilio Castro got his second hit, and double, of the game for the Skeeters. Neither team scored so the score remained 1-1.

8th inning - Gary Majewski came in for Wright and retired the side...3 up & 3 down. Cabral, Harrison, and Locke also went 3 up & 3 down...the 5th time for the Skeeters in the game. The score remained 1-1.

9th inning - For the 2nd inning in a row, Majewski retired the side 3 up & 3 down. With just 3 outs to go, the Skeeters sent Botts to the plate...he was walked giving the Skeeters a chance. Botts stole 2nd base on a Pressley strike out for the 1st out. Van Ostrand grounded out to the 3rd baseman for the 2nd out. Ofilio Castro stepped to the plate with the game in his hands and delivered his 3rd hit of the game, and most importantly, scoring Jason "BIG MAN" Botts for the game winning RBI...THE SKEETERS WIN!!

Van Ostrand, 0-4 on the game, ended his consecutive game hit streak at 9, giving him the second longest streak for the Skeeters behind Jason "BIG MAN" Botts' 12 game streak. 

The newest Skeeter, Ofilio Castro, has become the hero very quickly by going 3-4, scoring a run, and driving in the game winning RBI...helping the Skeeters stop the 6 game losing streak.

This win pulls the Skeeters to within 4 games of the Somerset Patriots as the York Revolution was able to dominate the game to beat them 11-6. The Skeeters record stands at 5-10, with the chance to pull even if they sweep the Ducks over the next 5 games at Constellation Field.

Saturday's game is scheduled for 7:05pm local time.

WELCOME HOME SKEETERS!!!