HAMMOND, La. – Team Grizz scored an eighth-inning run and three more in the ninth Friday to take the first game in the Heart of the Lion World Series from the Rougaroux, 5-3.

Down a run in the top of the ninth, Tanner Rainey singled up the middle with one out off freshman Mason Klotz. The Rougaroux right-hander then hit Kyle Bracey with a full-count pitch.

Junior-transfer Corey Bryan singled to left, driving in Rainey to tie the game, but left fielder Ryan Byers had trouble with the ball. Bracey scored all the way from first to give Team Grizz the lead as Bryan trotted into second base. With two outs, Bryan stole third and scored on a throwing error by freshman catcher Jameson Fisher.

The Rougaroux threatened in the ninth. Brett Hoffman reached on an error and Sam Roberson walked, but junior Dylan Hills fanned the next three batters to end the game.

Kyle Keller picked up the win, working a scoreless eighth inning in relief, while Hills was credited with the save. Klotz was tagged with the loss.

Roberson was the leading hitter in the game with a solo home run and a double into the right-field corner.

The series continues Sunday at 6 p.m. at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field. Admission is free. Fans that can't make it out to the ballpark can watch the game on LionVision (subscription required) located in the fan zone of www.LionSports.net.


Team Grizz 5, Rougaroux 3 (Oct 26, 2012 at Hammond, La.)
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Team Grizz.......... 100 000 013  -  5 10  1      (1-0)
Rougaroux.......... 210 000 000  -   3  6  4      (0-1)
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Pitchers: Team Grizz - Hymel, Jordan; Riddell, Logan(6); Keller, Kyle(8); Hills, Dylan(9) and Bracey, Kyle. Rougaroux - Von Rosenberg, Gabe; Pittari, Matt(6); Manuel, Kaleb(8); Klotz, Mason(9); Culpepper, Gavin(9) and Fisher, Jameson.

Win-Keller, Kyle(1-0)  Save-Hills, Dylan(1)  Loss-Klotz, Mason(0-1)  T-2:44  A-0
HR ROUX - Roberson, Sam.