Express Outlast Late Rally by Space Cowboys

The Round Rock Express used eight hits to generate eight runs to defeat the Sugar Land Space Cowboys by a final score of 8-to-6 and take the season-opening series two games to one. 

Sam Huff led the Express, driving in four of the eight runs as part of a 2-for-4 day at the plate that included one double and a walk.

Round Rock opened the scoring in the third inning starting with a walk to Matt Duffy and Andrew Knapp’s double.  A walk to Sandro Fabian loaded the bases. A walk to Justin Foscue plated Duffy, and prompted a Sugar Land pitching change, Mark Washington for starting pitcher Rhett Kouba.  Sam Huff then walk to score Knapp and give the Express a 2-to-0 lead. 

Highlighting the win was a massive six-run fourth inning.  Jonathan Ornelas opened with a bunt single.  A walk to Duffy set the stage for Sandro Fabian’s double to center field, driving home Ornelas. Elier Hernandez’ double to left field then plated Duffy and Fabian.  Walks to Justin Foscue and Davis Wendzel loaded the bases, which were drained on Sam Huff’s double. 

The Space Cowboys responded in the fifth inning with David Hensley’s two-run home run.  Hensley plated Will Wagner who reached base on a walk. 

A ninth inning pitching change, Daniel Robert for Danny Duffy, opened the door for a late inning rally by Sugar Land.  A walk to Wagner, followed by Hensley’s single and a walk to Luke Berryhill, prompted another pitching change, Jesus Tinoco in for Robert.  Tinoco gave up a grand slam home run to Shay Whitcomb before retiring the side. 

Round Rock starting pitcher Adrian Sampson earned the win, allowing two runs on three hits.  Sampson struck out four batters and walked one.   Sugar Land starting pitcher Rhett Kouba was assigned the loss, giving up two runs on two hits, while striking out three batters and walking three.