By STEVE KNOX
Sports Connection Team
CORNING - Rivercrest overcame an early Corning lead picking up four runs in the second inning and went on to defeat the Bobcats 5-1 Tuesday in Conference 3A-3 baseball action at Corning.
The Colts would get one on in the top of the first but would be unable to advance the runner. Corning would get a run in the bottom of the inning when Carson Dowdy reached on an error and advanced to second on a passed ball. Ralph would strike out back to back hitters, before Dowdy took third on another passed ball. He then scored on a double to right center to make it 1-0. Ralph then struck out the Bobcats five hitter Izaiah Hollowell to end the inning.
In the top of the second, after a lead off ground out by Jaxon Kilburn, the Colts got back to back singes by Jacob Atchley and Ashtin Cagle to put runners at first and third with one out. After Jayden Ralph struck out, Keiran Morris wangled a walk to load the bases. Conner Vaughn would follow with a two-strike bases clearing double down the right field line to give the Colts a 3-1 lead. Joe Louis Ralph would then smack a double to right scoring Vaughn to make it 4-1.
In the bottom of the inning, Corning would get a two out single to center but would be unable to advance the runner as the third out was recorded on a pop out to Kilburn at shortstop.
The Colts would add an insurance run in the top of the seventh as Ian McClain doubled. Hayden Walker would go in as courtesy runner for McClain and scored on Gabe McLevain’s base hit up the middle to set the final score of 5-1.
The Colts banged out 10 hits in the game with Jacob Atchley going 3-for-4 at the dish. Vaughn went 1-for-4 but batted in three runs, while Ralph went 2-for-4.
The Colts defense turned a double play to support the efforts of Ralph and Kilburn.
Kilburn relieved Ralph on the mound in the third inning and pitched the final five innings, giving up only three hits and a walk, while striking out two batters.
Ralph’s pitching line was two innings, giving up one unearned run on two hits, while walking none and striking out four Bobcats.
Junior Reid McMasters took the loss for the Bobcats giving up four earned runs, on eight hits, while walking two and striking out three Colts.
Rivercrest improved to 7-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play. The Bobcats fell to 4-3 overall and 2-3 in conference action.