North Cross rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh, and the Raiders overcame an early 4-run deficit on their way to a 5-4 win over Parkway Christian Monday afternoon at Porterfield Field.
Parkway had jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a run in the first, two in the second and one in the third before North Cross started its comeback. The Raiders cut the deficit to 4-2 in their half of the third after Matt Doughty drove in the first North Cross run with a double off the left-center field fence. Doughty then stole third and scored on a Parkway throwing error.
Trailing 4-3 heading to their last at-bat, North Cross wasted no time in turning the tide.
Edwin Saunders opened the Raider seventh with a grounder that was misplayed, sending Saunders to second base. He advanced to third and Justin Jensen followed with a base on balls.
That brought up Doughty and Jensen stole second without a throw, putting two runners in scoring position. Doughty sent a shot down the third base line that plated Saunders and Jensen to end the proceedings.
Doughty got the win on the hill for North Cross after relieving Raider starter Jensen with two outs in the third. Doughty held the Eagles scoreless the rest of the way. Jensen recorded six strikeouts and Doughty fanned five to anchor the Raider pitching corps.
North Cross starter Ben Coleman had a pair of hits for the Raiders, while Brandon Jennings paced the early Parkway attack with two hits and RBI.
The Raiders improved to 3-0, while Parkway suffered its first loss of the season after opening with two wins.
– Bill Turner
