Seventh Inning Outburst Leads Rockabillys to Victory in Season Opener

JACKSON, Tenn. - For six innings, the Rockabillys had set themselves up for success, only to fall just shy of breaking the game open. Until finally, a four-hit onslaught in the bottom half of the seventh blew Alton out of the water, and steered the Goats to a 10-3 win Tuesday night. 

The first couple innings saw very little production for the home team offensively, as River Dragons starting pitcher Jackson Parrill didn't allow a single hit to the first nine batters he faced. Strangely, the Goats found a way to keep the score close through this small hitting drought, corraling one run on a wild pitch after a trio of free passes.

The score sat at 2-1 favoring the visitors, and it seemed that Parrill would continue to stave off the hungry Rockabilly bats. Although anti-climactic, the offseason hibernation ended thanks to a Parks Bouck blooper to right field. Not exactly the awe-inspiring first hit many had envisioned for the 2025 season, but it opened the flood gates to a productive evening for the sticks. Bouck used his legs to swipe second, and a batter later, was plated by Brett Rogers on a single to left, knotting things up at two each. 

The Goats would take their first lead of the season in the fifth, thanks to yet another passed ball scooting by catcher Matt Carrano. Yet, this lead wouldn't last long, as a two-out balk by pitcher Ethan Ell marked another stalemate between the conference foes. A pitching change was brought forth in the seventh for the River Dragons, and the Rockabillys had enough of the tomfoolery. They were able to plate six runs to break the staring contest. 

Brooks Jones kicked things off with a walk and Rogers snagged his second hit of the night to put runners on the corners. Rogers stole second, putting more pressure on the Alton defense, allowing the Rockabillys to take advantage with a sacrifice fly from Cameron Greene. Then, just one pitch later, Jack Pitts would blow the game open with a towering shot to left field, extending the lead to three for the Goats. The offense kept churning out hits, with the bottom frame still producing three more runs, as there were more hits from Bouck and Jake Maddox, sealing Alton's fate. 

An insurance run in the eighth made it a seven-run differential, and that was all she wrote for an exhilerating season opening victory, as returning reliever Joe Romines would slam the door on the visitors. 

Slaying the Dragons

The Rockabillys improve to 8-5 all-time versus the River Dragons and 6-1 at Rockabillys Stadium against the visitors from Alton. 

On Deck: The Rockabillys return to action tomorrow night at Rockabillys Stadium against Alton, first pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.