Riverside played three one-runs games last week, winning two while dropping one. The Rebels, 13-2 overall, edged East Poinsett County 2-1 Tuesday afternoon at Lake City before slipping past Westside 6-5 Thursday afternoon at home. Riverside watched Walnut Ridge score two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally past the Rebels 2-1 Friday afternoon at Walnut Ridge.
The Rebels broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning to squeak past EPC. Luke Baker's RBI groundout produced the winning run. Kollin Stone gained the win to improve to 5-0 on the year. The senior right hander whiffed 14 batters while giving up only four hits. Devon Austin had a pair of singles while Larry Tilley added a base hit to pace the Riverside offense. Hayden Allen was the tough luck loser for the Warriors.
The sixth inning proved fruitful for the Rebels in their win over Westside. Riverside scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and held on for a one run win over the Warriors. Dillon Turner picked up the victory in relief, pitching the final three innings. The freshman right hander allowed three hits and two earned runs. Austin started the game for the Rebels, pitching four innings, striking out four while giving up just two hits and two runs.
Tilley laced a two-run single while Turner and Gavin Stone delivered run-scoring hits to lead the Rebel offense. Matthew Fraser cracked a double for Riverside. Chase Mickelson took the loss for Westside.
Riverside took a 1-0 edge into the seventh inning in Friday's nonconference showdown with Walnut Ridge. The Bobcats (21-2) began their game winning rally when Luke Wall started the inning with a bloop single. Drake Smelser walked before Michael Bounds laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to second and third. Chase Baker strolled to the plate and executed a perfect squeeze bunt, scoring Wall with the tying run. Smelser then scooted home with the game winner on a wild pitch by Tilley.
Tilley (5-1) suffered his first defeat of the year. Tilley went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, five hits while striking out a pair and walking three. Kollin Stone led Riverside at the plate with a pair of hits and two stolen bases.
Riverside will take to the road this week, traveling to Westside Monday. The Rebels will journey to Bay Tuesday before closing the week with a road trip to Pocahontas Thursday afternoon.