Raso’s 4 RBIs and Gibson’s RBI lift Hounds over Chaska
Published 11:12 pm Friday, June 13, 2014
Nate Johnson tries to dive back into third during the first inning against Chaska Friday night at Marcusen Park. Johnson was called out on the play. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Both spectrums of amateur baseball were on full display in Marcusen Park Friday night.
On one side, you had a veteran of 14 years providing the bulk of the offense, and on the other, you had a guy who hadn’t played any baseball in eight years getting a big RBI as the Austin Greyhounds beat the Chaska Hit Dawg 14-4 in seven innings.
Matt Raso had his biggest day at the plate this summer as he went 3-for-3 with a homer, a double and four RBIs. His double and homer both came in a seven-run third inning for the Hounds (4-4 overall).
The Greyhounds’ Weston Hanson pitches against Chaska Friday night at Marcusen Park. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“I’ve never hit two [homers] in a game. That would’ve been cool,” Raso said.
The game ended in the seventh when Jamaal Gibson singled in Nik Gasner, who had tripled to start the seventh inning. Before this year, Gibson hadn’t played baseball since he was a freshman in high school, but he wasn’t feeling any nerves when he stepped up to the plate with a chance to end the game.
“I think Nik getting that triple loosened me up a little, because we still had two chances to get him home if I got out,” Gibson said. “I had a lot of confidence coming out of the dugout.”
Gibson has taken on the role of reserve outfielder for the Hounds this summer. He played basketball and football for the Packers in high school, but now he’s rekindling his love for baseball.
The closest Gibson had been to playing baseball over the past years was stick ball, whiffle ball and slow pitch softball.
“When Joe Serratore asked me to come and play for the team I was so fast to say yes,” Gibson said. “These guys are smart about baseball and it’s nice to learn about baseball.”
Raso said guys like Gibson are the type of guys the Hounds welcome to come and play with them.
“That’s why we have a team,” Raso said. “If we have room for a guy that has some ability and wants to join the team, that’s what it’s all about. We’re here for guys to come out and play while they can.”
Weston Hansen picked up the win for Austin as he pitched five no-hit innings.
Chaska played the entire game with just eight players.
Chaska 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 — 4 4 4
Hounds 0 5 7 0 0 1 1 — 14 14 2
Hounds pitching: Weston Hansen (W) 5 IP, 3 BB, 0 R, 7 K; Alex Kasak, 2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 HBP, 3 K
Hounds hitting: Henry Fleek, 2-for-4, triple, 2 RBIs, 2 R, SB, BB; Nate Johnson, 1-for-2, R, 2 BBs; Josh Evans, 2-for-2, double, RBI, R, BB; Jeremy Williams, 2-for-3, 2 RBIs, R; Andy Swank, 0-for-2, 2 R, 2 BBs; Matt Raso, 3-for-3, HR, double, 4 RBIs, 3 R; Jordan Hart, 0-for-4; Joe Kroc, 1-for-2, double, RBI, 2 R, SB, BB; Joe Kroc, 1-for-2, double, RBI, 2 R, SB, BB; Gabe Kasak, 0-for-2, R, 2 SB, 2 BBs; Pete Conway, 0-for-2; Nik Gasner, 1-for-2, triple, R; Nels Nelson, 0-for-1, R; Zach Huntley, 1-for-1; Jamey Pratt, 0-for-1; Jamaal Gibson, 1-for-1, RBI
