08/28/2007

Vericker sparks Bums to win

First baseman collects four hits, drives in three

FROM STAFF REPORTS

LOVES PARK, Ill. — The Traverse City Beach Bums skipped batting practice on Monday night.

Apparently, they didn't need any.

Led by the slugging of first baseman Brad Vericker, who nearly became the first player in team history to hit for the cycle, the Bums pounded the Rockford Riverhawks 11-5 in their final road game of the season.

Traverse City (43-47) racked up 17 hits and made sure the game's outcome was never in doubt by scoring two runs in the first inning, six more in the third and one in the fourth to take a 9-0 lead.

Vericker led the way by going 4-for-6 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, three runs scored and three RBIs. He only needed a single in the ninth to complete the cycle, but decided not to stop at first base after ripping a pitch to the wall.

Vericker's solo homer in the fourth inning was his fifth of the year.

Shortstop Justin Holmes also slugged his fifth round-tripper of the season when he cleared the wall in left with the bases loaded in the third.

Sam Orr went 3-for-4, Curtis Ledbetter went 3-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to 22 games and Brad Roblin contributed two hits as eight of the Bums' nine starters collected hits.

Even pitcher Bryan Rembisz got into the act. Rembisz, who is scheduled to start on the mound for Traverse City tonight at Wuerfel Park, entered the game as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and promptly delivered his first professional hit, an RBI single that scored Orr.

Rembisz finished up at second base. He'll carry a perfect 6-0 record and 1.63 earned-run average into tonight's game against Rockford's James Cramphin (4-3, 2.98 ERA).

Tom Thornton (2-2) earned the victory for Traverse City.