7/9/2017-The Texas AirHogs entered Sundays game red hot, winners of four in a row and seven of their last eight. A night after winning 11-3 they had to be feeling pretty good about their chances as Salina Stockade starter Josh Hodges had really struggled in his first two starts, but Sunday he was in complete command, allowing just one-run in 6.1-innings pitched leading the Stockade to the 5-1 victory. Five different players scored runs for the Stockade, and Cody Coffman drove in 2.

Todd Bozeman started for Texas, and he found himself trailing heading out of the first frame. Aaron Olivas singled to start the game and moved to second when Troy Paris drew the base-on-balls. Next up was Kewby Meyer, who lined a single into right field that plated Olivas. Two batters later, Jesse Baker grounded a single into right field that scored Paris to extend the lead to two.

The AirHogs looked to get those two runs back in the bottom half of the inning when a pair of singles put runners at the corners with two down. However, Hodges was able to get out of it by getting a line out to end the threat. That started a run of seven straight batters retired by the right-hander.

Josh Hodges: W (1-1), 6.1-IP, 7-H, R, 3-BB, 3-K

Texas had threatened at times, but Hodges always seemed to have the answer to keep them off the board. That is until the seventh, when the AirHogs would finally score to cut the deficit to one. Michael Miller hit a ball deep into the hole at short that he beat out for a single with one down. Ryne Willard followed by drawing a walk and that would be it for Josh Hodges (1-1). The right-hander went 6.1-innings, allowing 7-hits, 3-walks and a run. He struck out 3.

Jake Eaton came on for Salina, and gave up a base hit to Alvaro Rondon that loaded the bases with one out. A sacrifice fly by Trevor Sealey scored Miller to make it 2-1, but that is as close as they would get.

Clinging to a one run lead, the Salina Stockade what extend their advantage by responding with two runs in the top of the eighth. With Josh Blanco on the hill, Meyer singled with one out and moved to third on a base hit by Jimmy Heck. Baker grounded out to move Heck to second, and both runners scored when Coffman lined a single into left-center to extend the lead to three.

Kewby Meyer: 2-5, R, RBI

In the ninth, Salina would add one more run. A base hit by Jonathan Moroney started the inning, and he would score when Jordan Caillouet lined a double down the right field line that brought Moroney all the way around from first. That made the score 5-1, which would be the final.

Tyler Herr came on in the eighth and tossed two scoreless innings despite giving up a hit and 4-walks. He recorded his second save of the season. Kewby Meyer was 2-5 with a run and an RBI, raising his average to .336. Jordan Caillouet also had 2-hits and drove in a run, and Cody Coffman drove in 2. Alvaro Rondon and Ryan Wagner each had 2-hits for Texas.

The Stockade are off tomorrow before starting a three-game series with Lincoln. First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 6:45.

Salina Stockade 5 Texas Airhogs 1

This game was played on 7/9/2017 at AirHogs Stadium