After spotting the visiting Gladiators a 5-run lead after just two innings, Fort Defiance exploded for eight unanswered middle-inning runs to sneak past Riverheads 8-6 tonight. It was the Big Red's first loss of the season after winning their first eight games.
Each team chased the other's starting pitcher in the third inning, and the Indians' reliever, Kaden Johnson, made the difference as the Gladiators could only produce a single run once he took over. He relieved starter Sam Tindall to open the third inning, with RHS already in front 5-0. Prior to taking the mound, a number of the hits that RHS used to gain that early advantage had been hit in his direction as he was quite busy in his left field spot.
The Gladiators forged that early lead behind a handful of timely hits and some aggressive base-running, highlighted by a perfectly-executed double steal that gave them their third run in the top of the first. RHS starter Bennett Dunlap was meanwhile keeping the Indians off the board and for a while it looked like an easy win for the visitors might be in store.
But the Indians erupted for a six-spot in the home half of the third, forcing Dunlap to the bench. His junior classmate Lucas Edward took over and gave up two additional Indian runs in the fourth before Colton Kwiecinski came on and pitched a pair of shutout innings for the Big Red.
With Fort leading 8-5 after four, the Big Red missed a golden opportunity to get right back in the game in the top of the fifth, as they loaded the bases with no outs. But Johnson settled down and RHS was only able to plate one run instead of the big rally they needed. The visitors did not seriously threaten in their final two at-bats.
The loss leaves Riverheads at 1-1 in district play and of course 8-1 overall. Their next scheduled game is at home next Tuesday against neighboring Stuarts Draft. They have not yet announced a make up date for the game rained out last week at Wilson.
My guess is that Coach Painter has already convinced his boys to put this one behind them and focus on making the most of the rest of the season. Some coaches will even tell you that being unbeaten is a negative and that losing that first one can actually bring a team back down to earth and show them that they are not invincible and that they need to bring their A-game each time out. So that next game with the Cougars will likely show how this loss has impacted the Big Red.
Each team chased the other's starting pitcher in the third inning, and the Indians' reliever, Kaden Johnson, made the difference as the Gladiators could only produce a single run once he took over. He relieved starter Sam Tindall to open the third inning, with RHS already in front 5-0. Prior to taking the mound, a number of the hits that RHS used to gain that early advantage had been hit in his direction as he was quite busy in his left field spot.
The Gladiators forged that early lead behind a handful of timely hits and some aggressive base-running, highlighted by a perfectly-executed double steal that gave them their third run in the top of the first. RHS starter Bennett Dunlap was meanwhile keeping the Indians off the board and for a while it looked like an easy win for the visitors might be in store.
But the Indians erupted for a six-spot in the home half of the third, forcing Dunlap to the bench. His junior classmate Lucas Edward took over and gave up two additional Indian runs in the fourth before Colton Kwiecinski came on and pitched a pair of shutout innings for the Big Red.
With Fort leading 8-5 after four, the Big Red missed a golden opportunity to get right back in the game in the top of the fifth, as they loaded the bases with no outs. But Johnson settled down and RHS was only able to plate one run instead of the big rally they needed. The visitors did not seriously threaten in their final two at-bats.
The loss leaves Riverheads at 1-1 in district play and of course 8-1 overall. Their next scheduled game is at home next Tuesday against neighboring Stuarts Draft. They have not yet announced a make up date for the game rained out last week at Wilson.
My guess is that Coach Painter has already convinced his boys to put this one behind them and focus on making the most of the rest of the season. Some coaches will even tell you that being unbeaten is a negative and that losing that first one can actually bring a team back down to earth and show them that they are not invincible and that they need to bring their A-game each time out. So that next game with the Cougars will likely show how this loss has impacted the Big Red.
