I cut out of this one a little early so I cannot give you a full report, but the visiting Gladiators recovered nicely from Tuesday's shutout loss to Wilson and pounded Waynesboro tonight 14-3 on the Kate Collins diamond. The game was moved forward by a day due to the extended rain forecast for Friday and as it turned out that was a wise decision as it didn't rain a drop during the game and the sun even popped out briefly.
The Little Giants at least enjoyed a successful first inning as their starting pitcher set RHS down 1/2/3. Riverheads' starting pitcher then walked the first two batters and was on his way to a third free pass when Coach Painter yanked him and inserted Carson Kuhn. Although Kuhn walked into a tough situation, the Big Red survived it with minimal damage as the Giants only scored once in the frame.
The Gladiators then took the lead for good as they scored four runs in the top of the second on only one hit, a two-run single by Chase Donathan. They were helped along by some walks from Waynesboro, which were an issue tonight.
Waynesboro kept it close with a run in the home half of the second, a run that Riverheads then answered in the third, keeping the issue at least somewhat in doubt as the third ended with the visitors in front 5-2. The Gladiators then brought out the heavy artillery in the fourth, as Levi Dunlap opened the frame with a solid double to left-center. That led to a five-run uprising that put the Big Red firmly in control at 10-2.
First baseman Henley Dunlap planted one over the Cracker Barrel ad in left field in the top of the fifth for the Gladiators' first round-tripper of the season to make it 11-2. I left at that point so I am not sure if the game went the full seven or perhaps just six.
With the win, the Gladiators now have the unusual distinction of being unbeaten on the road this season at 6-0 and they have averaged 11.5 runs per game in those six wins. In their only home game so far, they dropped a 2-0 decision to Wilson just two days ago. Something tells me that pattern will change as the season progresses.
In fact, look for a change this upcoming week as the Big Red has three straight home games, hosting Rocktown Monday, Central Wednesday, and Staunton Thursday. The Gladiators hope to be 9-1 when that string ends.
The Little Giants at least enjoyed a successful first inning as their starting pitcher set RHS down 1/2/3. Riverheads' starting pitcher then walked the first two batters and was on his way to a third free pass when Coach Painter yanked him and inserted Carson Kuhn. Although Kuhn walked into a tough situation, the Big Red survived it with minimal damage as the Giants only scored once in the frame.
The Gladiators then took the lead for good as they scored four runs in the top of the second on only one hit, a two-run single by Chase Donathan. They were helped along by some walks from Waynesboro, which were an issue tonight.
Waynesboro kept it close with a run in the home half of the second, a run that Riverheads then answered in the third, keeping the issue at least somewhat in doubt as the third ended with the visitors in front 5-2. The Gladiators then brought out the heavy artillery in the fourth, as Levi Dunlap opened the frame with a solid double to left-center. That led to a five-run uprising that put the Big Red firmly in control at 10-2.
First baseman Henley Dunlap planted one over the Cracker Barrel ad in left field in the top of the fifth for the Gladiators' first round-tripper of the season to make it 11-2. I left at that point so I am not sure if the game went the full seven or perhaps just six.
With the win, the Gladiators now have the unusual distinction of being unbeaten on the road this season at 6-0 and they have averaged 11.5 runs per game in those six wins. In their only home game so far, they dropped a 2-0 decision to Wilson just two days ago. Something tells me that pattern will change as the season progresses.
In fact, look for a change this upcoming week as the Big Red has three straight home games, hosting Rocktown Monday, Central Wednesday, and Staunton Thursday. The Gladiators hope to be 9-1 when that string ends.
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