You could say that Riverheads had a "triple threat" win tonight in Greenville. First of all, they methodically defeated the visiting Generals behind a solid pitching effort from Jakob King and Michael Robertson. Secondly they timed things perfectly so as to just barely beat the rain that hit the area about the time fans headed for their cars.
But perhaps even more importantly for Big Red fans, tonight's pre-game introductions began with a most-deserved tribute to long-time Head Coach Rodney Painter. In what we were told was a complete surprise, the veteran skipper was presented with a special plaque commemorating not only the Gladiators' two state titles (2013 and 2018) but also a state runner-up finish in 2011, numerous appearances in other regional and state playoffs, over 200 career victories, and various Coach of the Year honors at the District, Regional, and State levels. Fans from both schools gave the personable Gladiator mentor a well-deserved standing ovation. which set the tone for the impressive win that would follow.
In fact it took very little time before the Big Red rewarded Coach P as they sent eight men to the plate in the bottom of the first to take command of the game with a 4-0 lead. They added one more in the second, and two in the third to settle the issue early.
It was not necessarily a big hitting night for the Gladiators as they only recorded seven hits. But they ran the basepaths aggressively and were helped along by four General errors. To Stonewall's credit, they made an attempt to answer the Big Red's quick start by stringing together a couple of hits to score their only run in the top of the second. But the Gladiators squelched that rally with a line drive to King, who then fired the ball over to first to double up a runner who had taken off at the ding of the bat. Stonewall never threatened again and the Gladiators added the final two runs in the sixth, never quite reaching Slaughter Rule territory.
The win was Riverheads' third of the week as they manhandled Alleghany 16-2 Monday and eased past Buffalo Gap 8-3 on Tuesday. Next week, weather-permitting, RHS will have another three-game slate as they travel to Wilson Tuesday, where the Hornets might have ideas about snatching second place away from the Big Red, followed by home games on Wednesday and Friday against R E Lee and Luray respectively.
The playoffs are not too far away so we will soon know if Coach Painter can pull a Casto and lead the Big Red to consecutive state titles. Congratulations on a great career and best wishes for many more victories.
But perhaps even more importantly for Big Red fans, tonight's pre-game introductions began with a most-deserved tribute to long-time Head Coach Rodney Painter. In what we were told was a complete surprise, the veteran skipper was presented with a special plaque commemorating not only the Gladiators' two state titles (2013 and 2018) but also a state runner-up finish in 2011, numerous appearances in other regional and state playoffs, over 200 career victories, and various Coach of the Year honors at the District, Regional, and State levels. Fans from both schools gave the personable Gladiator mentor a well-deserved standing ovation. which set the tone for the impressive win that would follow.
In fact it took very little time before the Big Red rewarded Coach P as they sent eight men to the plate in the bottom of the first to take command of the game with a 4-0 lead. They added one more in the second, and two in the third to settle the issue early.
It was not necessarily a big hitting night for the Gladiators as they only recorded seven hits. But they ran the basepaths aggressively and were helped along by four General errors. To Stonewall's credit, they made an attempt to answer the Big Red's quick start by stringing together a couple of hits to score their only run in the top of the second. But the Gladiators squelched that rally with a line drive to King, who then fired the ball over to first to double up a runner who had taken off at the ding of the bat. Stonewall never threatened again and the Gladiators added the final two runs in the sixth, never quite reaching Slaughter Rule territory.
The win was Riverheads' third of the week as they manhandled Alleghany 16-2 Monday and eased past Buffalo Gap 8-3 on Tuesday. Next week, weather-permitting, RHS will have another three-game slate as they travel to Wilson Tuesday, where the Hornets might have ideas about snatching second place away from the Big Red, followed by home games on Wednesday and Friday against R E Lee and Luray respectively.
The playoffs are not too far away so we will soon know if Coach Painter can pull a Casto and lead the Big Red to consecutive state titles. Congratulations on a great career and best wishes for many more victories.
