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"We have just achieved our first goal of the season," noted Twister manager Gregg Hunt. "We are going to take a shot at the league record but our main focus right now is on the playoffs and winning a championship."
In the opener, starting pitcher Ben Rowe delivered his third win in four starts for Torrington. The right-hander from Australia battled through thunderstorms while pitching six innings and allowed just one unearned run on five hits. He struck out five and walked just one.
"It was tough to pitch in those conditions but I’m used to it coming from Oregon State," said Rowe, who was a 24th round draftee of the Texas Rangers this past spring. "Despite the weather I felt comfortable throwing all my pitches."
"Ben has given us outstanding efforts in all of his starts," added Hunt. "We can’t ask for a better effort out of him."
The Twisters broke open a 1-1 game in the sixth against Mill City pitcher Jim McCloud.
Jim Fasano led-off the frame with a walk and pinch-runner Larry Best stole second. With one out Marvin Lowrance followed with a grounder to move Best to third. One out later, McCloud hit both John Ingram and Mike Cimini to load the bases.
Shaun McNamara relieved McCloud and proceeded to walk Brian Cavanaugh to force home the eventual game-winning run. Ingram then scored on an error by Mill City shortstop Derek Sodre to give the Twisters a 3-1 edge.
John Cronin pitched a scoreless seventh for his eighth save.
In the finale, it was all Jason Bolinski.
Bolinski (3-2) struck out eight and walked none in six innings of work. He took a no-hitter into the fifth before allowing consecutive singles to Tom Mackor and Jim Marron.
Offensively, the Twisters opened up a 1-0 affair with three consecutive extra base hits in the third with two outs off Mill City starter Brad Laurin.
Brandon Roberts doubled to left-center and came around to score on a double to right by Jim Fasano. Chris Kelly then knocked home Fasano with a booming triple into right-center.
Randy Newsom saved the win for Bolinski with a scoreless seventh.
Notes: The Twisters are off today and will play a split doubleheader on Monday. One part of the team is will play at home against Danbury and the other will travel to Newport. First pitch for the home game is 6 p.m. ..The Twisters will open up the playoffs with a home game at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night against an opponent to be determined. Dennis Robinson will start the opener of the three game series and will be followed by Bobby Garza and Matt Torra. Game 2 will be played on the road.
