Made it to my first Riverheads game of the season today and the Big Red needed almost the entire game to warm up as a four-run rally in the sixth finally put the Bison away 5-2. I learned from some of the crowd that the rained out Friday game at Luray had been played Saturday, and that RHS won that one also 11-2, so we are still unbeaten.
But that was in doubt today for a while as the Gladiators had a rough first inning. Starter Austin Craft had some early control issues, walked a couple of batters, and the Bison touched him for three hits. But the Big Red held the damage to only two runs, and as it would turn out, those would be the last Gap tallies of the day.
Riverheads then scratched out a run in the bottom of the frame without benefit of a hit to shave the deficit in half. The score then remained that way as both pitchers settled down. In fact, the Bison hurler (sorry but I don't have a name) actually held the Gladiators hitless until the bottom of the fifth. However, he was called for at least four balks that I remember, which was the most I have ever seen called in a game.
Meanwhile Craft settled down nicely and the Gladiator D kept the Bison from padding the lead as they turned a double play to end the fourth and the bats finally came alive in the sixth. One of the balks started things off and the key hit came from freshman Elijah Dunlap, as he stroked one over the head of the left fielder to break a 2-2 tie and put the Big Red ahead 4-2. He would eventually come around to score the final insurance run and reliever Andrew Golladay finished off the Bison in the top of the 7th.
RHS has a home date with Bath Wednesday afternoon and a big showdown at East Rock on Friday, weather permitting. If that one gets played, it will be a bundle-up day, nothing like today's 75-ish day.
But that was in doubt today for a while as the Gladiators had a rough first inning. Starter Austin Craft had some early control issues, walked a couple of batters, and the Bison touched him for three hits. But the Big Red held the damage to only two runs, and as it would turn out, those would be the last Gap tallies of the day.
Riverheads then scratched out a run in the bottom of the frame without benefit of a hit to shave the deficit in half. The score then remained that way as both pitchers settled down. In fact, the Bison hurler (sorry but I don't have a name) actually held the Gladiators hitless until the bottom of the fifth. However, he was called for at least four balks that I remember, which was the most I have ever seen called in a game.
Meanwhile Craft settled down nicely and the Gladiator D kept the Bison from padding the lead as they turned a double play to end the fourth and the bats finally came alive in the sixth. One of the balks started things off and the key hit came from freshman Elijah Dunlap, as he stroked one over the head of the left fielder to break a 2-2 tie and put the Big Red ahead 4-2. He would eventually come around to score the final insurance run and reliever Andrew Golladay finished off the Bison in the top of the 7th.
RHS has a home date with Bath Wednesday afternoon and a big showdown at East Rock on Friday, weather permitting. If that one gets played, it will be a bundle-up day, nothing like today's 75-ish day.
