The Recorder on April 25, 2024
Ram John Wagner, above, struck out 11 on his way to his third mound win, while Zach Armstrong, left, recorded the final two outs during the game against Richwood. ( Recorder photos by Shelley Thomas)
MONTEREY — Highland scored 10 unanswered runs over the last six innings here Friday, posting a 10-2 varsity baseball win over the Lumberjacks of Richwood, W.Va.
The Rams spotted the visitors a 2-0 lead through one, but answered with three-run third, fourth and fifth innings and a single run in the sixth.
Tristan Carpenter, Zack Wright and Zach Armstrong had RBI hits in the bottom of the second for the winners, Wyatt Clevinger had a two-run single and Wright drove in another run with a base hit in the third and John Wagner’s run-scoring single, an RBI groundout from Eli Moore and an Elijah Good sacrifice fly added up to three runs in the fourth.
Evan Kimble accounted for the sixth-inning run with a solo homer to left.
Armstrong, Clevinger and Wright all had two hits for the Rams, Clevinger and Wright drove in two runs and Wagner, Kimble and Moore all scored two runs. Wagner, Kimble and Carpenter rounded out the nine-hit attack with one each.
Highland also stole 11 bases on the day, led by three each from Wagner and Armstrong and two from Moore.
Wagner struck out 11, scattered seven hits and walked only two in 6.1 innings to earn his third mound win of the season. Armstrong recorded the final two outs of the game, both by strikeout.
“The guys came out and really competed well,” said HHS coach Cole Armstrong. “John had a good outing. He’s our workhorse. Hopefully, this game gives us some confidence for district play next week.”
Dakota Sizemore, Dalton Spencer and Trae Trivolette all had two hits for the Lumberjacks. Sizemore took the mound loss, surrendering seven hits and eight runs over three-plus innings.
Highland athletic director Mike Warf said he expects that last Monday’s game at Pocahontas County, W.Va., will not be completed. The game was tied 7-7 in the top of the fifth when heavy rain washed out the final two innings. The game will be recorded as a tie.
Wagner went 3-for-3 for the Rams in the game, including a double and a triple, Patton Hull scored two runs and Armstrong drove in three.
Armstrong had two hits, while Hull, Moore and Wright each had one hit.
Good started and gave up four hits and seven runs in 2.1 innings. Wright no-hit the Warriors for the final 1.2 innings, striking out five.
Wyatt Hendrick had two hits for Pocahontas County.
Highland (2-2 Pioneer District, 5-4-1 overall) played an area district matchup at Bath County on Wednesday. The Rams are at home today against Parry McCluer and host Eastern Montgomery on Saturday afternoon.