Rhodes dazzles for Gold Sox

It may have been Military Appreciation Night at Appeal-Democrat Park on Sunday, but it was also Cory Rhodes' night.

Rhodes was a monster on the mound, striking out 10, allowing just two hits and no walks in seven innings of work to lead the Marysville Gold Sox past the Nor Cal Longhorns 7-0.

Rhodes has impressed manager Jack Johnson on and off the field ethis season.

"He's been such an inspiration," Johnson said following the game. "He's been working so hard and improving throughout the season. When you get a kid like that, it's really something special."

Rhodes' business-like approach has earned him a 5-1 record and a team-leading 56 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched this season.

After Rhodes' sparkling seven innings, Patrick O'Rourke turned in his own two-inning gem by striking out five to end the game.

Offensively for the Gold Sox, Brooke Brooks had a huge night at the plate by recording three hits, one of which was a double, and an RBI.

Marysville's big inning came in the sixth when the team put together four runs.

Mitch Wilhite, who came in leading the team with a .362 batting average, broke the game open by lacing a two-out, two-RBI double.

Casey Scott also turned in a solid night by going 2 for 3 with a triple and an RBI.

With the win, the Gold Sox improved to 32-11 with the final weekend approaching.

Marysville will close out its summer schedule this weekend with a pair of games against the Solano Mudcats on Thursday and Friday, and two more against the Sacramento Legends on Saturday and Sunday.

It will be Marysville's first meeting against the Mudcats. However, the Gold Sox did defeat the Legends earlier in the summer by a score of 6-5.