Rockers Come Back to Post 11-6 Win Over Legends

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point Rockers used a five-run seventh inning to break a 6-6 tie and post an 11-6 win over the Lexington Legends on Wednesday night at Truist Point.

The big inning was highlighted by a two-run single by Jay Gonzalez and a three-run inside the park homer from Ben Aklinski.

High Point got off to a rocky start, gifting the Legends four runs in the top of the first on two hits and a pair of errors. The Rockers we able to escape when rightfielder Ben Aklinski caught a fly ball in right and then cut down Isaias Tejeda at the plate as he was trying to score from third.

The Legends went ahead 5-0 in the second when Boog Powell walked, stole second and third then scored on a sac fly by Isaias Tejeda.

The Rockers bounced back with four runs in the second, starting the inning with three consecutive hits. Singles by Quincy Latimore, Zander Wiel and Jerry Downs loaded the bases. Michael Martinez grounded to first but the throw to the plate was dropped by the Lexington catcher, allowing Latimore to score. Chris Proctor followed with an RBI single and Jay Gonzalez brought home a run with a ground out to second. Aklinski then singled home a run to make it a 5-4 game.

Jerry Downs blasted a long home run to right, his fourth of the year, with one out in the third to tie the game at 5-5.

The Legends took a 6-5 lead in the fourth when Tillman Pugh walked, stole second then scored on a Briceno bloop single to center. The Rockers knotted the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the fifth when Michael Martinez drew a two-out walk and scored when Chris Proctor tripled with a shot off the wall in right field.

High Point broke the game open with a five-run seventh inning, highlighted by Aklinski’s inside the park home run.

John Hayes (1-0) got the win by pitching a scoreless seventh inning for the Rockers. Lexington’s Henry Owens (0-1) took the loss.

High Point and Lexington will conclude their three-game series on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. at Truist Point.