7/2/2025
By George Lucas
Five Mill Rats pitchers issued 15 walks to Alton hitters and, as a result, were blown out 16-5 Wednesday at Sargent’s Stadium at The Point.
Alton grabbed the early 1-0 lead in the first, but Johnstown answered that in the bottom of the inning. Cooper Rasmussen scored on a Peyton Starr single, and it was 1-1 after one.
The Mill Rats erupted for four runs in the third and seemed to have the game in hand at 5-1.
But things fell apart for Johnstown in the fifth. Alton put up seven runs in the top of the inning and added another four in the sixth to take a 12-5 lead.
The River Dragons added four more in the ninth to set the final at 16-5.
Rats reliever Mark Wechtenhiser fell to 0-2 with the loss, pitching one inning of relief in the fifth and allowing five runs on two hits while walking three batters.
Alton starter Jayson Shorb earned the win throwing seven innings and allowing five runs on eight hits, striking out two and walking one.
The Mill Rats will look to even the two-game series Thursday on Fireworks Night at 7:00pm.