The Riders bats had a field day Thursday evening as St. Marys scored 20 runs in four innings to defeat the Fort Recovery Indians 20-2 in five innings in a run-rule decision at K. C. Geiger Park.
“I think after the Parkway game (a 7-0 loss), we had a hard time,” Riders Head Coach Kendra Solomon said. “It was good to come back and be aggressive.
We were able to take advantage of some pitches and plays.”
The Riders started out with a five-run first inning.
Haddie VanDeKeere led off with a single to left and advanced to third on two walks by Taylor Meyer and Aiden Young. VanDeKeere came home with the first run on a wild pitch with both runners moving up/ Following a strikeout, Meyer and Young scored on a single by Kaylee Smith. Claire Turner popped up,
but Erin Caffee singled and eventually scored the fifth run before Calianna Bonds Awls struck out to end the inning.
In the third inning, the Riders virtually put the game away as they scored nine runs. Everybody scored except Caffee and Mackenna Meinerding.
“I told them to get a good bat on the ball,” Solomon said. “I wanted them to swing the bat. We wanted them to stay focused and get the bat on the ball.”
In the fourth inning, the Riders concluded the scoring with six runs, but the Indians spoiled the shutout as they scored a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning.
Malia Griesez doubled to center and scored on a single to right by Paisley Hart, who went to second on the throw. Hart went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout by Mara Wendel. The Riders retired Fort Recovery in the top of the fifth in order for the victory.
Everybody saw action for St. Marys in the game, and Solomon was happy with that.
“We were able to get everybody in the game, including the underclassmen,” Solomon said. “It is good to get them some experience.”
The Riders (2-1) travel to New Bremen on Friday at 5:00.