Frederick, Maryland – Dominic Niman became the first Bowling Green Hot Rods (75-37, 28-19) pitcher to record multiple 7.0 inning outings during the 2026 season in an 8-3 loss to the Frederick Keys (69-40, 28-17) on Saturday at Nymeo Field in Frederick, Maryland.
Bowling Green jumped onto the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the third inning against Frederick reliever Carson Dorsey. Nathan Flewelling singled and Narciso Polanco walked. An error by DJ Layton allowed Flewelling to score, giving the Hot Rods a 1-0 lead.
The Keys tied up the game in the bottom of the fourth against Niman. With one out, Vance Honeycutt hit a solo homer to left, tying the game at 1-1.
Two more runs came in to score for Frederick in the bottom of the fifth against Niman. Andres Nolaya worked a two-out walk, and RJ Austin homered to left, handing Frederick a 3-1 lead.
The Hot Rods responded in the top of the seventh inning against Dorsey. Bryan Broecker singled, and Felix Cotes drove him in with a double, bringing the score to 3-2. A wild pitch advanced Cotes to second and Flewelling walked. A double steal brought in Cotes to score, tying the game again, 3-3.
Frederick immediately put three more runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh against Niman. Nolaya reached on a two-out single, Austin reached on a Cotes error, and Enddy Azocar blasted a three-run homer to make it a 6-3 Frederick lead.
The Keys added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth on a two-run homer from Braylin Tavera, creating an 8-3 score. Bowling Green failed to score in the top of the ninth, ending the game in an 8-3 Frederick victory.
Dorsey (5-4) picked up the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, walking three and striking out five over 5.0 innings. Niman (7-5) was given the loss, surrendering six runs (three earned) on seven hits, walking one and striking out three over 7.0 innings. Braeden Sloan (3) earned the save, tossing 2.0 hitless innings with two strikeouts.
The Hot Rods and Keys play the finale of a six-game series on Sunday with a 2:00 PM CT first pitch at Nymeo Field. Bowling Green will send out LHP Blake Morgan (0-1, 3.60) against Frederick LHP Boston Bateman (4-3, 3.93).
Fans can catch all the action by watching on MiLB.tv, listening through the MiLB First Pitch App and BGHotRods.com. Fans can also secure their seats for future home Hot Rods games by calling (270) 901-2121, visiting the Bowling Green Ballpark box office during normal business hours, or going to www.bghotrods.com.
###
Hot Rods Baseball