Rangers’ pitching held the Wild Boars to just two hits, and the offense continued to produce in an 18-0 victory in 6 innings on Tuesday, June 23 at Action Sports Center.

 

Ben Schubert made his first appearance on the mound this season and allowed one hit, walked three, and struck out four to earn the win. Shawn Schmitt followed with two scoreless frames, allowing one hit and striking out two. Joe Becker wrapped up the final inning with a 1-2-3 outing.

 

The main storyline though would be Brandon Riley’s chase for immortality. Riding a 28-game hit streak, Riley usually made short work of the wait having registered a base hit to lead off the last 6 games. However, with a flyout in the first, a strikeout in the second, and a fielder’s choice in the fourth, Brandon was holding out hope in the top of the sixth as the leadoff batter in the inning.

 

With a run-rule in sight, this would possibly be his last opportunity to extend his hit streak. But with the second pitch of the at-bat, Riley was plunked on the backside. However, his teammates rallied to his cause with three singles and three walks. With a pair of outs sandwiched in, Riley would soon appear in the on-deck circle as Joe Becker stepped in the batter’s box hoping to keep the inning alive. Becker, taking all the way, took a ball high out of the strike zone. On the next pitch, Becker would get hit by a pitch as well, as the stars began to align for Riley’s final chance. This time, Brandon wasted no time taking the first pitch down the right field line to push his hitting streak to 29 straight games!

 

The Rangers improved to 10-1 with the win which set a franchise record for winning percentage through the team’s first 11 games.