OFFENSE REIGNS AS WARRIORS AND RAIDERS DO BATTLE
BELOIT, OH- In a gripping showdown on Saturday, Hunter Shields showcased his offensive firepower with four RBIs on two hits, but it wasn’t enough to secure victory for the West Branch as they fell to the South Range in a thrilling 14-12 encounter.
Despite the Warriors outhitting their opponents 14 to 12, they couldn’t stave off the Raiders’ relentless offense. Aaron Tucker led the charge for West Branch with an impressive three-hit performance.
The Warriors drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning, with Shields igniting the offense with a crucial double that drove in two runs, followed by a groundout from Jeremiah Thomas, adding another run to their tally.
However, the Raiders swiftly responded, leveling the score in the top of the second inning courtesy of a single by Logan Baxter and a fielder’s choice by Tyler Wardle.
The game took a dramatic turn in the top of the third as the Raiders exploded for six runs on three hits, seizing a commanding 9-3 lead, highlighted by a clutch three-run single from Konnor Brogan.
Not to be outdone, the Warriors mounted a spirited comeback in the bottom of the fifth, rallying for five runs on four hits to snatch a narrow 10-9 lead, with Shields once again delivering a timely single that drove in two runs.
The seesaw battle continued as the Raiders fought back to tie the game at 10 in the top of the sixth, before the Warriors reclaimed the lead 12-10 in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a clutch single from Boston Mulinix.
In a nail-biting finale, the Raiders refused to back down, knotting the score at 12 apiece in the top of the seventh with a single from Jake Shumate. They then surged ahead in the top of the eighth, scoring two crucial runs to secure the hard-fought victory.
Jake Shumate earned the win on the mound for the Raiders, while Jaxon Robb suffered the loss for the Warriors.
Both teams displayed offensive prowess, with the Warriors racking up 14 hits, led by Beau Alazaus, Mulinix, Anthony Perry, and Thomas, while the Raiders capitalized on key opportunities, with Brogan emerging as the standout performer with four RBIs.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will regroup as they prepare to face off against the Girard in their next home game on Sunday, aiming to bounce back from the tough loss and return to winning ways.
