By STEVE KNOX
Sports Connection Team
HOT SPRINGS - Senior Conner Vaughn went 3-for-4 at the plate, powering the Rivercrest Colts to a 10-3 victory over the Bismarck Lions Thursday at the 3A State Tournament competed at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.
Things would not appear to be going well for the Colts early on as Bismarck would score two runs. The Lions fast start would force Colts starting pitcher, junior Joe Louis Ralph, off the bump after just a third of an inning. However, fellow junior Jaxon Kilburn came on and didn’t allow another run in the inning.
The Colts would, however, give a strong answer scoring six runs in the home half of the inning to take the lead. Vaughn was one of two runners to score on Joe Louis Ralph’s double which tied the game at 2-2. Ian McClain’s ground out scored another run to make it 3-2 Rivercrest. Ashtin Cagle drew a walk, forcing in another run, to make it 4-2. Keiran Morris would follow hitting into a fielder’s choice, but yet another Colts run would cross the plate and it was 5-2. Vaughn, batting for the second time in the inning, would single scoring another run and the Colts led it 6-2 after an inning.
The Colts would add a run in the bottom of the second on a passed ball by the Lions and the Rivercrest lead was 7-2.
The Colts opportunistic offense was paced by Vaughn and Ralph, who both drove home a pair of runs. Kevin Morris went 2-for 3, Kilburn and Jacob Atchley both drew three walks each as Rivercrest would get on via the walk nine times in the game.
The Colts defense was solid behind Ralph and Kilburn, turning a double play and not committing any errors. Ralph gave up two runs on one hit, while walking three and striking out one in his short stint on the mound. Kilburn was brilliant in relief of Ralph, going 5.2 innings, giving up one run on four hits, with a strike out. Rivercrest improved to 20-7 on the season. Bismarck closed the 2024 campaign with a record of 14-9.