The Gladiators played one of their most fundamentally-sound games of the season tonight as they blanked The Staunton Storm 13-0 in a five-inning run rule decision. Freshman pitcher Cason Croft went the distance and earned the victory, tossing just 73 pitches to handcuff the frustrated Storm batters.
Meanwhile, the Big Red pounded a trio of Staunton hurlers with frequent hits as the visitors scored in all five of their at-bats, and once they got on-base, earned some of their runs with aggressive base-stealing and taking advantage of wild pitch opportunities. Coach Painter was able to go deep into his bench as everyone played and contributed tonight.
Senior leadership was especially key tonight for RHS. Worthy of special mention was the play of Brody Phillips and Ethan Mulcahy, each of whom have come back strong after a prolonged battle with injuries that impacted almost two years of their athletic careers. Mulcahy in particular had a key hit tonight in the fifth that allowed the game to reach run-rule status. More on that in a moment.
Fellow senior Chase Donathan also rocked from his catcher position as he had some key hits and also nailed at least two guys at second who made the mistake of testing his arm. Last but not least, the fourth Riverheads senior, Holden Fitzgerald, seemed to get on base every time and once he did, he ran the bases well for a big man.
The Big Red scored two in the first, four in the second, two in the third, and a single run in the fourth, making the score 9-0. By that time, just about everyone was ready for the game to end early, but it almost didn't happen. In their half of the fifth, the Gladiators got two quick outs without getting that needed tenth run, but with bases loaded, Mulcahy stepped to the plate for what turned out to be a lengthy appearance.
He worked the second of Staunton's three hurlers to a full-count, meaning that something had to give. An out would mean a sixth inning would be required, but if he were to get on base, that would mean the 10th run would score. With that bases-loaded, full count situation, he asked for a time-out so he could request a pair of sunglasses. The temperature by the way had been more pleasant than expected but the sun was having an impact.
His strategy worked to perfection as he laced the very next pitch straight up the middle for an RBI single. Staunton then walked in a couple more runs as RHS sealed the deal with a four-run fifth. After that it was only a formality for Croft to finish the job in the bottom half of the frame, and in what was likely the highlight of his very young career, he kept the home team off the scoreboard one final time.
With the win, Riverheads wraps up its first swing through district play with a 7-1 record. Three of those wins were shutouts and two of them just went five innings. The only blemish was a tight 2-1 loss at Wilson, and they will of course get another shot down the road when the Hornets come to Greenville.
The next game for RHS will be Thursday at home against Waynesboro, when they will start the second half of district play. The schedule has worked out in such a way that five of the Big Red's final eight Shenandoah District games will be at home.
Meanwhile, the Big Red pounded a trio of Staunton hurlers with frequent hits as the visitors scored in all five of their at-bats, and once they got on-base, earned some of their runs with aggressive base-stealing and taking advantage of wild pitch opportunities. Coach Painter was able to go deep into his bench as everyone played and contributed tonight.
Senior leadership was especially key tonight for RHS. Worthy of special mention was the play of Brody Phillips and Ethan Mulcahy, each of whom have come back strong after a prolonged battle with injuries that impacted almost two years of their athletic careers. Mulcahy in particular had a key hit tonight in the fifth that allowed the game to reach run-rule status. More on that in a moment.
Fellow senior Chase Donathan also rocked from his catcher position as he had some key hits and also nailed at least two guys at second who made the mistake of testing his arm. Last but not least, the fourth Riverheads senior, Holden Fitzgerald, seemed to get on base every time and once he did, he ran the bases well for a big man.
The Big Red scored two in the first, four in the second, two in the third, and a single run in the fourth, making the score 9-0. By that time, just about everyone was ready for the game to end early, but it almost didn't happen. In their half of the fifth, the Gladiators got two quick outs without getting that needed tenth run, but with bases loaded, Mulcahy stepped to the plate for what turned out to be a lengthy appearance.
He worked the second of Staunton's three hurlers to a full-count, meaning that something had to give. An out would mean a sixth inning would be required, but if he were to get on base, that would mean the 10th run would score. With that bases-loaded, full count situation, he asked for a time-out so he could request a pair of sunglasses. The temperature by the way had been more pleasant than expected but the sun was having an impact.
His strategy worked to perfection as he laced the very next pitch straight up the middle for an RBI single. Staunton then walked in a couple more runs as RHS sealed the deal with a four-run fifth. After that it was only a formality for Croft to finish the job in the bottom half of the frame, and in what was likely the highlight of his very young career, he kept the home team off the scoreboard one final time.
With the win, Riverheads wraps up its first swing through district play with a 7-1 record. Three of those wins were shutouts and two of them just went five innings. The only blemish was a tight 2-1 loss at Wilson, and they will of course get another shot down the road when the Hornets come to Greenville.
The next game for RHS will be Thursday at home against Waynesboro, when they will start the second half of district play. The schedule has worked out in such a way that five of the Big Red's final eight Shenandoah District games will be at home.