Bryan, TX - Ryan Benitez was superb in six innings on the mound; Brian Portelli drove in three runs; and the Generals beat the Bombers 5-1 in the series opener.
The Generals were hacking early and jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first. David Paiz drove in the opening run of the game on a single that scored C.J. Pickering. Pedro Barrios followed suit with a single of his own, scoring Piaz and Brian Portelli.
Piaz and Barrios were at it again in the third. Piaz drove in Portelli on another single, following Portelli's one-out double, and Barrios plated Vallieres on another base-hit.
After five innings of work on the mound from Heston VanFleet, Garrett Harris came on in relief for the Bombers in the sixth.
Benitez was replaced by James Swan in the seventh inning, after six shutout innings pitched to start the game.
Zach Girrens came in to pitch for the 'Bombers in the eighth inning.
Brazos Valley got on the board in the bottom of the eighth. Jimmy Norris singled in Logan Nottebrok for an unearned run, following an error that put Nottebrok into scoring position.
Brandon Kirkham came in to pitch for the Bombers in the ninth, replacing Girrens after one inning.
Jeff Chestnut came in to finish things off for the Generals in the ninth. He got into a jam by loading the bases, a strikeout would shut the door.
The Generals and Bombers will play again tomorrow night at 7:05 before the Generals head to The Woodlands for their final two regular season games.
