O’FALLON, MO–The River City Rascals started off a six-game homestand in style on Tuesday night in front of a packed house at CarShield Field, blowing out the Schaumburg Boomers 10-0 behind a phenomenal 2018 debut from left-hander Lucas Laster (1-0). Laster took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and finished the night with seven innings, three hits, a walk and four strikeouts in the shutout. Braxton Martinez hit two home runs and drove in six runs and Mike Jurgella finished 4-5 with two doubles.
Martinez got the scoring started early with a three-run shot in the first, and added a two-run homer in the third inning. Zach Lavy drove in another run in in the third on a fielder’s choice. JD Hearn hit his first professional homer in the fourth inning, the third of the night for the team. Clint Freeman and Martinez added sacrifice flies in the fifth and seventh innings, respectively, and Gerrion Grim hit his first homer in a Rascals uniform in the eighth.
Boomers starter Kit Fowler (0-2) took the loss, allowing eight earned runs in five innings. Rascals reliever Jacob Gangelhoff finished the game with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
The Rascals finished with 15 total hits on the night, a season high. The team remains undefeated at home in 2018.
Game 2 between the Rascals (6-3) and Boomers (3-7) is scheduled for tomorrow night, with first pitch at 6:35 pm CT. Lefty Hector Hernandez will make his second start of the season for the Rascals, and will be opposed by Steven Ridings.
