MONTEREY — Tuesday night’s high school baseball opener at Ed Crigler Field was victorious for the Rams, who jumped all over the Lumberjacks from Richwood, W.Va., 14-4.
“This was the third time this season that the team had a chance to get on a field to practice or even play a game,” said Rams’ coach J.D. Hiner. “I didn’t know what to expect, as we were at the mercy of Mother Nature at the beginning of the season. I was very pleased with the game, but we still have a long way to go.”
The game started quietly as the Rams notched a run in the bottom of the first inning scored by Michael Campbell. He also had two steals.
Colton Williams pitched the first two innings, throwing five strikeouts and limiting the Lumberjacks to four walks.
In the bottom of the second, the Rams busted things loose, scoring six runs as 12 players batted.
Zack Wright, Tristan Carpenter, Patton Hull, Campbell, John Wagner, Williams, and Ethan Moore each scored for the Rams. Wright walked and Carpenter was hit by a pitch to get things started with Hull hitting a single to knock in a run.
Campbell hit a sacrifice fly to knock in the second run and Wagner hit a double for another RBI. Williams walked and Moore hit a double to bring in two more runs. Evan Kimble hit a single to knock in the last run of the second.
The top of the third inning saw Wagner take over the pitching duties for the Rams and it got off to a shaky start as the Lumberjacks scored their first run on two hits and a walk. Wagner finished nicely, notching two strikeouts.
The fourth inning saw each team score a run. The Lumberjacks picked up three hits with Dakota Sizemore hitting a double and scoring a run. Cooper Donahue picked up the run batted in with a single. Wagner struck out two more batters for the Rams.
Zach Armstrong walked, then Kimble hit a single, moving Armstrong to second. Wright hit a pop up to second. Armstrong scored the run for the Rams after stealing third and the catcher mishandled the throw to home.
The fifth inning saw the Lumberjacks score their third run on a single by DaCota O’Dell knocking in Trae Trivolette. Wagner had another strikeout for the Rams.
The bottom of the fifth saw the Rams score four additional runs with Campbell, Wagner, Moore, and Armstrong crossing the plate. The Rams were aided by three hits, a pair of walks and four stolen bases.
The top of the sixth inning saw the Lumberjacks score their last run on an RBI single by Donahue. Wagner picked up two more strike outs for the Rams, finishing with seven overall and picking up the win.
Darkness was becoming an issue as the Rams came to bat at the bottom of the sixth, and they were ready to get the job done. Campbell led off with a single then proceeded to steal second base. Williams walked and stole second with Campbell stealing third. Campbell then stole home with Williams following, swiping third and home as well to force the 10-run mercy rule to end the game.
The Rams had some speed — eight of the 10 players are also on the track team and that aided their convincing win. A total of 15 steals — seven by Armstrong — were recorded in addition to nine hits, 11 walks, and two hits by pitches.
Monday, the Rams lost the return matchup with the Lumberjacks in Richwood, 7-5.
Hull had three hits, including a triple, scored two runs and drove in two for the Rams.
Armstrong added two hits, while Campbell, Wagner, Williams, Moore, and Kimble each had one.
Moore, Campbell and Armstrong split up the pitching duties.
Moore allowed two earned runs and struck out three over two innings, Campbell allowed two unearned runs and struck out one in one inning and Armstrong pitched two innings, allowing two unearned runs, while striking out six. The three combined to give up just four hits but walked 11 and were the victims of four errors behind them.
Spencer had two hits to lead Richwood.
The Rams, 1-1 on the season, open Pioneer District play on Friday at Eastern Montgomery.
Last Tuesday’s Linescore
Richwood 001 111 0 - 4 8 2
Highland 160 014 2 - 14 9 3
WP: John Wagner (1-0); LP: John Spencer
Monday’s Linescore
Highland 100 300 1 - 5 10 4
Richwood 122 002 x - 7 4 1
WP: Trae Trivolette; LP: Ethan Moore (0-1)