Mother Nature displayed a warped sense of humor this afternoon on the RHS diamond as she unleashed a strange, unpredictable wind that gave each team fits, especially in a wild and crazy first inning. Even the most routine of plays such as the first base put-out proved challenging as one throw after another sailed everywhere but where it was intended. Trying to function in the outfield was even tougher as numerous fly balls landed in front of, or behind, or off to one side of frustrated fielders.
Fortunately the teams adjusted and the wind subsided eventually but not before the fans got a little rowdy, even with each other on occasion, as this particular wind proved to be even harder to handle than what we usually see up on the hill. Still, despite all those obstacles, the teams survived as the Big Red used a pair of six-hit innings to turn back the visiting Panthers in a battle of district leaders.
Page got the early benefit of the weather as Riverheads struggled in the top of the first, misplacing what appeared to be three fairly-routine hits. As a result the Panthers plated three runs to grab the early advantage.
Those of us in the home stands were muttering "well as long as they have trouble with the wind too, we can live with it." And the Panthers did exactly that as the Gladiators batted around in the bottom of the frame in a 7-run explosion that gave them all the runs they would need. A Ridge Stokes three-run homer was the highlight of the inning in which the final five runs were plated after Page had recorded two outs.
Although the wind continued to impact things in the second and third innings, each team managed to keep the other off the scoreboard. However the Panthers wasted two golden opportunities to get back in the game as they loaded the bases in the third before a KO by starting pitcher Colt Miller ended the threat.
Then in the fourth, the visitors got an early two-run homer to straightaway center field to trim the lead to 7-5. They then loaded the sacks again and were perhaps one strong hit away from tying the game or taking the lead, but once again Miller struck out the final batter.
Riverheads then put the game away with a 5-run explosion in the bottom of the fourth, added one more in the fifth, and had fans talking about the slaughter rule. Page did not threaten again as Andrew Golladay relieved Miller in the fifth and set the Panthers pretty much down in order over the final three frames. Despite all the fireworks in the first inning, the game still wrapped up in about two hours and 15 minutes.
RHS moves to 2-1 in district play and I believe this was Page's first district loss. Despite all the miscues in the field in the early going, the officials must have taken the wind into consideration as the box score announced at the end only gave each team three errors. At times it looked like there were that many for each at bat!
Riverheads travels to Wilson Friday for a 5:30 first-pitch.
Fortunately the teams adjusted and the wind subsided eventually but not before the fans got a little rowdy, even with each other on occasion, as this particular wind proved to be even harder to handle than what we usually see up on the hill. Still, despite all those obstacles, the teams survived as the Big Red used a pair of six-hit innings to turn back the visiting Panthers in a battle of district leaders.
Page got the early benefit of the weather as Riverheads struggled in the top of the first, misplacing what appeared to be three fairly-routine hits. As a result the Panthers plated three runs to grab the early advantage.
Those of us in the home stands were muttering "well as long as they have trouble with the wind too, we can live with it." And the Panthers did exactly that as the Gladiators batted around in the bottom of the frame in a 7-run explosion that gave them all the runs they would need. A Ridge Stokes three-run homer was the highlight of the inning in which the final five runs were plated after Page had recorded two outs.
Although the wind continued to impact things in the second and third innings, each team managed to keep the other off the scoreboard. However the Panthers wasted two golden opportunities to get back in the game as they loaded the bases in the third before a KO by starting pitcher Colt Miller ended the threat.
Then in the fourth, the visitors got an early two-run homer to straightaway center field to trim the lead to 7-5. They then loaded the sacks again and were perhaps one strong hit away from tying the game or taking the lead, but once again Miller struck out the final batter.
Riverheads then put the game away with a 5-run explosion in the bottom of the fourth, added one more in the fifth, and had fans talking about the slaughter rule. Page did not threaten again as Andrew Golladay relieved Miller in the fifth and set the Panthers pretty much down in order over the final three frames. Despite all the fireworks in the first inning, the game still wrapped up in about two hours and 15 minutes.
RHS moves to 2-1 in district play and I believe this was Page's first district loss. Despite all the miscues in the field in the early going, the officials must have taken the wind into consideration as the box score announced at the end only gave each team three errors. At times it looked like there were that many for each at bat!
Riverheads travels to Wilson Friday for a 5:30 first-pitch.
