The Big Red scored in each of its first five at bats this evening to lead 8-0 at one point, which was more than enough to hold off homestanding Fort Defiance 9-5 in a crucial Shenandoah District clash. With the win the Gladiators complete the first cycle through district play with a 5-1 record, but more importantly keep on Wilson's heels with each having only one district loss.
The first inning actually provided the biggest thrill for the Gladiator faithful as the third batter of the evening, first baseman Henley Dunlap smoked a no-doubter over the left field fence to give the visitors an early 2-0 lead. They then added one in the third to make it 3-0, but the Indians were already starting to have some fielding issues.
Before all was said and done over the next few innings, two put out attempts at first would be thrown away, a fly ball would be dropped in right field, and at least two grounders would go through the wickets or bounce off, allowing the batter to reach safely.
The third inning was RHS' most productive, as they plated four runs to stretch the lead to 7-0. They would then score one more in each of the next two before the Indians were finally able to secure a scoreless inning.
To their credit, the home team did not go quietly as they had a four-run inning of their own in the fourth to cut the deficit in half at 8-4. But that would turn out to be the last big inning for either team, which was really good news because the umbrellas and ponchos had to be put into play over about the last 2-3 innings.
The one district defeat that RHS has, a 2-0 loss to Wilson at home, is actually their only loss of the season. The Gladiators have some impressive wins over non-district competition, which means their overall regional standing will look pretty good when the time comes.
Next up will be a Tuesday home date with Stuarts Draft, which will not be a walk in the park, because the Gladiators had to score in the top of the seventh the first time around to escape Cougar Country with a 6-5 win earlier this month.
The first inning actually provided the biggest thrill for the Gladiator faithful as the third batter of the evening, first baseman Henley Dunlap smoked a no-doubter over the left field fence to give the visitors an early 2-0 lead. They then added one in the third to make it 3-0, but the Indians were already starting to have some fielding issues.
Before all was said and done over the next few innings, two put out attempts at first would be thrown away, a fly ball would be dropped in right field, and at least two grounders would go through the wickets or bounce off, allowing the batter to reach safely.
The third inning was RHS' most productive, as they plated four runs to stretch the lead to 7-0. They would then score one more in each of the next two before the Indians were finally able to secure a scoreless inning.
To their credit, the home team did not go quietly as they had a four-run inning of their own in the fourth to cut the deficit in half at 8-4. But that would turn out to be the last big inning for either team, which was really good news because the umbrellas and ponchos had to be put into play over about the last 2-3 innings.
The one district defeat that RHS has, a 2-0 loss to Wilson at home, is actually their only loss of the season. The Gladiators have some impressive wins over non-district competition, which means their overall regional standing will look pretty good when the time comes.
Next up will be a Tuesday home date with Stuarts Draft, which will not be a walk in the park, because the Gladiators had to score in the top of the seventh the first time around to escape Cougar Country with a 6-5 win earlier this month.
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