Riverheads' Colt Miller made the most of his final home game tonight as he tossed a 5-2 complete game victory over Wilson and added a solo home run for good measure. His brother Taz and fellow senior Keegan Oliver were also honored as the Big Red raised its season record to 13-4.
Ridge Stokes started the Gladiator scoring with a solo shot in the second over the left center field fence, the same sweet spot he has already cleared a number of times this season. The Gladiators then loaded the bases and scored their second run on a hit batsman.
With the game still very much in doubt at 2-0, Wilson squandered a chance in the top of the fourth when the first two batters reached safely. They then loaded the bases with just one out, but Miller and the Gladiator defense rose to the occasion and escaped the jam with no damage.
RHS then added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the frame, helped along by a bloop single just over third base that showed every indication of going foul before it fell in fair territory. Aggressive base-running, a Riverheads trademark all season, punched across the fourth tally of the evening for the home team.
Wilson did then get back in the game as they opened the fifth with back to back hits. Both came around to score to trim the lead to 4-2 and guarantee that the game would count if the skies were to open up, which they fortunately never did.
However, it was the Miller show down the stretch as he kept the Hornet bats from threatening any further and delivered his shot over the right field fence to account for the final score. Not sure, but this may have been the first time this season in which the Big Red hit two homers in the same game.
The Gladiators will now play the game of watching the weather forecast for the next ten days or so as they attempt to finish out the regular season. As of now, they are scheduled for road trips to Page Thursday, Stonewall Friday, and Stuarts Draft next Tuesday. They should then get a first-round bye in the Conference 44 playoffs and taste their first playoff action the week of the 23rd.
Ridge Stokes started the Gladiator scoring with a solo shot in the second over the left center field fence, the same sweet spot he has already cleared a number of times this season. The Gladiators then loaded the bases and scored their second run on a hit batsman.
With the game still very much in doubt at 2-0, Wilson squandered a chance in the top of the fourth when the first two batters reached safely. They then loaded the bases with just one out, but Miller and the Gladiator defense rose to the occasion and escaped the jam with no damage.
RHS then added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the frame, helped along by a bloop single just over third base that showed every indication of going foul before it fell in fair territory. Aggressive base-running, a Riverheads trademark all season, punched across the fourth tally of the evening for the home team.
Wilson did then get back in the game as they opened the fifth with back to back hits. Both came around to score to trim the lead to 4-2 and guarantee that the game would count if the skies were to open up, which they fortunately never did.
However, it was the Miller show down the stretch as he kept the Hornet bats from threatening any further and delivered his shot over the right field fence to account for the final score. Not sure, but this may have been the first time this season in which the Big Red hit two homers in the same game.
The Gladiators will now play the game of watching the weather forecast for the next ten days or so as they attempt to finish out the regular season. As of now, they are scheduled for road trips to Page Thursday, Stonewall Friday, and Stuarts Draft next Tuesday. They should then get a first-round bye in the Conference 44 playoffs and taste their first playoff action the week of the 23rd.
