RHODES FANS 11; SALEM OUTLASTS WARRIORS
CARROLLTON, OH- Tuesday’s matchup at the Carrollton Field of Dreams was a tight affair, but the Salem Quakers managed to edge out the Carrollton Warriors with a 4-2 victory, thanks to some clutch pitching and timely hitting.
Carson Rhodes was the star on the mound for Salem, delivering a standout performance. He struck out an impressive 11 batters while allowing just one hit across seven innings. Despite issuing nine walks, Rhodes managed to keep the runs at bay, showing some serious composure in sticky situations.
The game was a nail-biter from the start. Salem got on the board first when Colin Riesen knocked a single in the first inning to drive in a run. Carrollton answered back in the fifth, tying things up with a single from Hayden Jenkins.
The sixth inning saw Carrollton sneak ahead, making it 2-1 after a hit by pitch with bases loaded forced in a run. However, the lead was short-lived. In the top of the seventh, Salem turned the game on its head. With the score tied at two, Troy Gibson came up big with a two-run single that propelled Salem into the lead for good.
On the Carrollton side, Isiah McConnell put in a solid shift despite taking the loss. He worked all seven innings, yielding four runs (only one earned) on eight hits and struck out six. It was a tough day for McConnell, who only walked one but didn’t get the defensive support he needed at crucial moments.
Gibson was a key offensive piece for Salem, driving in two of their four runs. Both Riesen and Rhodes had their bats going too, each picking up a pair of hits to help build the inning that would decide the game.
For Carrollton, Jenkins led the batting efforts, but it was their ability to draw walks that kept them in the game, showcasing their patience at the plate. Landon James, Aiden McCort, and McConnell each took two walks, keeping the bases busy and the pressure on.
As the dust settles on this intense game, both teams are gearing up for a quick rematch, with Carrollton traveling to Salem this Wednesday.
