Nichols leads Riverside to win over EPC

Preston Nichols drove in three runs as Riverside posted a 7-1 win over EPC this past Wednesday in high school baseball action in Lake City.

Kern Kline led off the game with a single for EPC as Chanc Gray followed with a single. Hayden Malone's infield single loaded the bases as Peyton Phillips drew a walk to score Kline making it 1-0 Warriors. Hunter Taylor popped out, TySean Garrett looked at strike three with Hank Knapp's grounder forcing Phillips at second for the third out. Nichols lined out leading off for Riverside before Izzy Garcia popped out. Gavin Stone walked and stole second before Larry Tilley struck out to end the inning with the score 1-0 EPC.

Jordan Smith grounded out leading off for EPC in the top of second as Trey Howard coaxed a walk. Kline flew out as Gray and Malone each walked to load the bases for the Warriors. Tilley took over on the mound for Riverside as Phillips popped out to leave the bases loaded.

The Rebels sent nine players to the plate scoring five runs to take a 5-1 lead. Dillon Turner walked as Matthew Fraser singled to put runners on first and second. Cannon Smith struck out, Braden Overman walked to load the bases as Charlie McClure walked to bring in Turner tying the game at 1. Nichols singled to score Fraser and Overman before Garcia's groundout scored McClure to make it 5-1. Stone walked as Tilley flew out to end the inning.

The Warriors went down in order in the top of the third inning as Taylor grounded out before Garrett and Knapp both struck out. Turner walked to lead off for Riverside before Fraser and Smith both struck out. Overman's grounder forced Turner at second base to keep the score 5-1 after three.

Jordan Smith grounded out as Howard struck out before Kline drew a two-out walk for EPC in the top of the fourth inning. Gray struck out leaving Kline on first. Malone came in to pitch for EPC as McClure struck out looking to start the bottom half of the inning for the Rebels with Nichols reaching on an error. Garcia, Stone and Tilley all walked as Nichols scored on Tilley's walk making it 6-1 Riverside. Turner popped out and Fraser struck out ending the inning.

Malone popped out leading off the top of the fifth for EPC as Phillips went down looking at strike three. Taylor singled only to be left on base as Garrett struck out looking. Smith struck out leading off for the Rebels as Overman and McClure had back to back singles. Overman stole third as Nichols doubled to plate Overman making it 7-1 Riverside before McClure was caught stealing. Nichols was picked out and tagged out in a rundown for the third out.

EPC went down in order in the top of the sixth as Hank Knapp grounded out, Jordan Smith went down looking and Howard grounded out. Garcia and Stone both grounded out before Tilley and Turner both drew walks in the bottom of sixth for Riverside. Fraser watch strike three for the third out as the score stayed 7-1 Rebels.

Nichols came on to pitch for Riverside as Kline popped out leading off for EPC. Gray tripled to the gap only to be left stranded as Malone popped out and Phillips grounded out to end the game giving the Rebels the 7-1 win.

Nichols had two hits and two runs scored as Overman had a hit, two runs scored and a stolen base for the Rebels. McClure finished with a hit, a run scored and a RBI, Tilley and Garcia each had a RBI, Fraser had a hit and a run scored, Turner had a run scored as Stone had a stolen base.

Tilley picked up the win with four and one third innings of work giving up no runs on one hit with a walk and seven strikeouts. Turner started the game and gave up one run on three hits while walking four and striking out one. Nichols pitched the final inning giving up a walk.

Kline had a hit and a run scored to lead EPC as Phillips had a RBI. Gray had a hit and a stolen base with Malone and Taylor each collecting a hit for the Warriors.

Gray took the loss for EPC as he pitched three innings allowing five runs on two hits. Gray walked six and struck out four. Malone pitched the final three innings giving up two runs on three hits with five walks and four strikeouts.