The Three Rivers Sandblasters completed a back-to-back sweep over the Mid-Valley Rockets with a 5-3 win Wednesday night.

Travis Iverson and Trevor Roberts combined on a five-hitter for the Sandblasters in the win at Albany, with Iverson striking out eight in his seven innings on the mound and Roberts picking up the save.

Iverson has been battling an injury, but was effective throwing first-pitch strikes and keeping his pitch count low, coach Ben Johnson said.

“I can’t say enough about the kid,” Johnson said. “With the nagging injury he has had, to do what he did tonight for the team speaks volumes about his character and his commitment to the Sandblasters program and his teammates.”

Iverson needed just 75 pitches for his seven innings.

“Travis put on an absolute clinic in terms of first-pitch strikes, 10-pitch innings and keeping the ball down at the knees.”

Three Rivers scored four times in the seventh, all started when Joe Crowe put down a bunt and Mid Valley pitcher Jeremy Burright threw the ball into right field trying to get Crowe at first base.

Three Rivers improved to 7-4 in league play, but trails second-place Richey’s Market by three games in the standings.

Withnell Dodge beat Richey’s Market on Wednesday, handing the Corvallis club its first Zone 3 loss. Withnell is 9-1, while Richey’s Market is 8-1. Three Rivers has lost twice to Withnell and also lost its only matchup to date with Richey’s Market.

Three Rivers plays three games over the next two days against Beaverton and has another nonleague game on Sunday at Grants Pass before returning to league play next Tuesday with a visit from Richey’s Market.

The Sandblasters play Richey’s Market twice and Withnell Dodge once next week.