Patrick Henry took advantage of control problems by the visiting Cave Spring pitching staff, and the Patriots breezed to the 12-2 win Tuesday afternoon at John Edwards Field in a game reduced to five innings by the 10-run rule.
It was the River Ridge District opener for both teams and the first win of the season for PH after two losses. Cave Spring fell to 2-2 on the current campaign.
Tuesday’s matchup saw three lead changes through the opening two innings that left PH up 4-2. Key in that stretch for the Patriots was a bases loaded 2-run double in the second by catcher Spencer Wright that overcame a 2-1 Knight lead, giving Patrick Henry an advantage they would never relinquish. Ryan McEachem added a RBI infield single that plated the fourth Patrick Henry run.
PH took control in the bottom of the fourth when control problems by the Knight pitching staff set the table for 5 Patrick Henry runs, putting PH up 9-2.
Patrick Henry followed with 3 more runs in the fifth to plate their 12th run, giving the Patriots the 10-run lead that sent the squads to post-game handshakes.
Carter Mason, John Gardner and leadoff hitter Asher Weisman each collected two hits for Patrick Henry.
Starter Christien Polumbo went the distance on the mound for PH to pick up the win. Trey Hodson took the tough-luck loss on the hill for Cave Spring, going two innings before giving way to the Knight relief corps.
Bill Turner
