In an outcome that most likely surprised everyone in attendance, Riverheads exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning without an out even being recorded and as a result, they took an 11-1 run rule victory over visiting Fort Defiance. Coming into this game, the Indians had scored double digit runs in their last two games, but tonight the RHS duo of Colton Kwiencinski and Matthew Charles held them to only two hits through their five at bats.
Meanwhile the Gladiators were cooking on all cylinders and played easily their most complete game of the season. In addition to the superb performances on the mound, the Big Red got some timely hitting, some of it coming from lesser-known names, and the Big Red also played flawless defense, including some snags of hard hit balls that on any other day might have been hits. One of the Gladiators' best defensive plays of the day was one that most Riverheads fans did not even see, due to the structure of the backstop at Greenville. So we will have to take their word for it that catcher Ryan Farris did "something" back there that resulted in turning a foul ball into an out.
A two-run first inning got the party started as a Bennett Dunlap hit drove Landon Lightner in from third. The Fort pitcher then developed some wildness issues and hit three batters before he could get out of the inning. One of those plunks accounted for the second Riverheads run and there might have been even more home-team damage if the Gladiators had not left the bases loaded.
Fort then scored its only run in the top of the third, and oddly enough it was a hit batter by Kwiencinski, pretty much his only miscue of the day, that drove it in. But the Gladiators immediately made up for that run with two of their own, thanks to back to back hits by middle-of-the-order guys Hunter Lee and Charles.
The highlight of the day for the home team came in the bottom of the fourth when shortstop Aidan Miller treated the fans to the Big Red's first and so far only home run of the season. Dunlap had hit one out of the park recently in Buena Vista but it occurred in the top of the sixth inning that was later rained out and therefore his round-tripper did not officially count in that game. So now the race will be on to see if anyone else can top Miller's two run shot that made the score 6-1.
Although his smash gave RHS a comfortable lead, when Coach Painter brought in Charles to pitch the fifth, most fans in the stands knew that this one might not be over because the Indians had staged a late-inning rally in the teams' first meeting and everyone knew they had the power to do it again. But it was just not FD's day today and he instead set the Indians down in short order in what turned out to be their last at- bat.
Still hoping for a miracle, the Indian staff tried two additional pitchers in the bottom of the fifth, but instead Riverheads strung together its final few hits, along with yet another hit batter and when Lightner delivered a two-RBI smack to right field, that put the victory in the books. Everyone got to go home much earlier than the three-hour marathon the two had staged up at the Fort.
Hopefully some fans then remembered to tune in to watch JMU's spine-tingling second win in the Women's College World Series. They now get the day off and will not play again until Sunday at 1:00. If you want to see some quality softball from a well-coached team, tune that game in and see how far the Lady Dukes can go. A name of local interest, Page County's own Kate Gordon, has hit a home run in each of the Dukes' wins thus far over the two powerhouse Oklahoma teams.
Prior to tonight's game, a moment of silence was observed for Tyler Zombro, a former R E Lee player, now playing pro ball in North Carolina. Last night he was seriously injured when hit in the face with a ball during a game down there. Last report was that he was in stable condition, but fans should take a moment this weekend to think about him as well.
Next week the Shenandoah wraps up its regular season and that in itself could be a challenge since our TV 29 weatherman mentions "hit or miss chances for showers and thunderstorms" every day next week. Might not be the best week to be a local athletic director.
In Riverheads case, I am told they have games set for Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday in an effort to wrap up the season. Even if the weather cooperates, Coach Painter will have to be a master tactician to balance out his pitchers. Those three opponents, as I understand it, are BG at home, Wilson at home and SD on the road. Playoffs then start the week of the 14th.
Meanwhile the Gladiators were cooking on all cylinders and played easily their most complete game of the season. In addition to the superb performances on the mound, the Big Red got some timely hitting, some of it coming from lesser-known names, and the Big Red also played flawless defense, including some snags of hard hit balls that on any other day might have been hits. One of the Gladiators' best defensive plays of the day was one that most Riverheads fans did not even see, due to the structure of the backstop at Greenville. So we will have to take their word for it that catcher Ryan Farris did "something" back there that resulted in turning a foul ball into an out.
A two-run first inning got the party started as a Bennett Dunlap hit drove Landon Lightner in from third. The Fort pitcher then developed some wildness issues and hit three batters before he could get out of the inning. One of those plunks accounted for the second Riverheads run and there might have been even more home-team damage if the Gladiators had not left the bases loaded.
Fort then scored its only run in the top of the third, and oddly enough it was a hit batter by Kwiencinski, pretty much his only miscue of the day, that drove it in. But the Gladiators immediately made up for that run with two of their own, thanks to back to back hits by middle-of-the-order guys Hunter Lee and Charles.
The highlight of the day for the home team came in the bottom of the fourth when shortstop Aidan Miller treated the fans to the Big Red's first and so far only home run of the season. Dunlap had hit one out of the park recently in Buena Vista but it occurred in the top of the sixth inning that was later rained out and therefore his round-tripper did not officially count in that game. So now the race will be on to see if anyone else can top Miller's two run shot that made the score 6-1.
Although his smash gave RHS a comfortable lead, when Coach Painter brought in Charles to pitch the fifth, most fans in the stands knew that this one might not be over because the Indians had staged a late-inning rally in the teams' first meeting and everyone knew they had the power to do it again. But it was just not FD's day today and he instead set the Indians down in short order in what turned out to be their last at- bat.
Still hoping for a miracle, the Indian staff tried two additional pitchers in the bottom of the fifth, but instead Riverheads strung together its final few hits, along with yet another hit batter and when Lightner delivered a two-RBI smack to right field, that put the victory in the books. Everyone got to go home much earlier than the three-hour marathon the two had staged up at the Fort.
Hopefully some fans then remembered to tune in to watch JMU's spine-tingling second win in the Women's College World Series. They now get the day off and will not play again until Sunday at 1:00. If you want to see some quality softball from a well-coached team, tune that game in and see how far the Lady Dukes can go. A name of local interest, Page County's own Kate Gordon, has hit a home run in each of the Dukes' wins thus far over the two powerhouse Oklahoma teams.
Prior to tonight's game, a moment of silence was observed for Tyler Zombro, a former R E Lee player, now playing pro ball in North Carolina. Last night he was seriously injured when hit in the face with a ball during a game down there. Last report was that he was in stable condition, but fans should take a moment this weekend to think about him as well.
Next week the Shenandoah wraps up its regular season and that in itself could be a challenge since our TV 29 weatherman mentions "hit or miss chances for showers and thunderstorms" every day next week. Might not be the best week to be a local athletic director.
In Riverheads case, I am told they have games set for Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday in an effort to wrap up the season. Even if the weather cooperates, Coach Painter will have to be a master tactician to balance out his pitchers. Those three opponents, as I understand it, are BG at home, Wilson at home and SD on the road. Playoffs then start the week of the 14th.
