Coming off a tough series loss to the Wichita Wingnuts, where the team lost three of four, the Texas AirHogs were looking to rebound. After winning Friday night’s contest, the AirHogs were rained out on Saturday, left to play a double-header with the Salina Stockade on Sunday. Thanks to some outstanding starting pitching Texas swept the double-header, extending the team’s winning streak to three-games.

Game 1 saw Jared Mortensen toss five shutout innings for his first win of the year, and the AirHogs jumped out to a commanding lead with seven runs in the first three frames.

Texas took the lead in the bottom of the first against Connor Bach. Casio Grider walked with one down and then stole second base. A double by Levi Scott scored Grider and the AirHogs were out in front.

That lead became two in the bottom of the second. A walk to Beamer Weems started the inning and, two batters later, Trevor Sealey singled to move Weems to third. He then scored on a base hit by Alvaro Rondon to make it 2-0.

In the third, the AirHogs blew this game open. Denis Phipps and Jake Taylor walked to put two on with no one out. Weems then ripped a double down the line in left that scored Phipps and the lead was three. That brought Charley Thurber to the plate, who ripped a base hit up the middle, scoring both runners. A wild pitch moved Thurber to third before Sealey walked. Sealey then stole second, and a wild pitch brought Thurber home. Sealey scored on a sacrifice fly to make it 7-0.

Staked to the early lead, Jared Mortensen (1-1) kept the Salina bats at bay. He allowed 6-hits and 3-walks in 5-innings of work. He struck out 4.

In the sixth, Mortensen came out and Billy Waltrip relieved. The Stockade took advantage right away. Cody Coffman singled to begin the frame and moved to second on a base hit by Jesse Baker. A wild pitch moved both runners up, and Coffman scored on a ground out by Jordan Caillouet.

Texas responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Grider beat out a ground ball for a single to start the inning and scored when Scott blasted his fourth home run of the season. That made it 9-1.

Levi Scott finished 2-4 with a run and 3-RBI for Texas. Charley Thurber was 2-4 with a run and 2-RBI. Jesse Baker was 2-2 with a walk for Salina and Aaron Olivaas was 3-4.

Game 1 Boxscore

In Game 2, it would be James Russell’s turn to toss the impressive performance. The AirHogs ace won his third game of the season by going the distance in the 6-3 victory.

Texas took the lead in the nightcap, scoring a run in the bottom of the second. Jake Taylor walked with one out and moved to third on a double by Brian Ragira. Michael Miller followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Taylor to make it 1-0.

In the top of the third, the Salina Stockade took the lead. Jordan Caillouet singled with one down and Logan Trowbridge doubled to left to score Caillouet all the way from first. A two out double by Troy Paris scored Trowbridge to make it 2-1.

The AirHogs tied the score in the bottom of the fourth. Ryne Willard singled with one out and scored on a double by Ryne Willard. An inning later Texas would be back on top. Ragira doubled with one down and Miller reached on an infield single. Willard then drilled a 2-0 pitch for his first home run of the season to make it 5-2.

Each team got a run in the sixth. Daniel Aldrich tripled with one out and scored on a single by Jimmy Heck. That made it 5-3. In the bottom half of the inning, Grider reached first on an infield single, moved to second on a stolen base, and took third on an error by the catcher on the throw. A sacrifice fly by Scott brought Grider home and it was 6-3. That would be the final.

James Russell (3-1) went the distance, allowing 6-hits and 3-runs. He struck out 8. Ryne Willard was 2-3 with 2-runs scored and 3-RBI.

Game 2 Boxscore

By Robert Pannier