By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
EUGENE, Ore.– Brandon Rowell had a daunting task in front of him when he took to the mound on Wednesday afternoon in the Wellcare Dodgers Papa’s Pizza Invitational Opener.
The Dodgers were going up against an American Legion Triple-A juggernaut in the Eugene Challengers and the Challengers were able to get after Rowell in his first inning of two on the day. Eugene plated five first inning runs to take a 5-0 lead into the second inning before Rowell and Wellcare found a groove in their second outing defensively.
“It’s going to help me a lot, it’s given me a lot more experience and gives me a better look of what I’m going to face going into my senior year. Overall a good experience,” said Rowell. “(The second inning) was really big, it was the mentality change. Just starting off with energy and keeping that energy, just building momentum up helps us a lot. It’s a big part.”
Rowell and the Dodger defense held the Challenger bats to one run in the second, and slowed the overall tempo of the Eugene offense down, but not entirely, in what became an 11-0 Challenger victory to open Pool Play.
Rowell struck out two batters while pitching. Cole Bartels (Sprague) struck out one batter as did Owen Wood (West Albany) in the game. Jake Smith had the lone hit for the Dodgers, who will play the Mudville 9 on Thursday at 1pm at North Eugene High School. Jarron Weed and Jayce Phillipe combined for the one-hitter for the Challengers.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
