By RODNEY YOUNG
NRVSports.net
Grayson County traveled to Riner Friday to take on fellow Mountain Empire District Auburn on a hot and sunny evening. The Blue Devils came away with a slaughter-ruled 16-4 victory.
The contest started with Auburn scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. The game then totally changed at the top of the third as Grayson County crossed home plate five times. They scored those runs on three hits, and with Auburn committing three big errors.
Auburn would strike back in their half of the third as Colin Roark knocked in Canyon Calhoun and Alex Young knocked in Jayden Lawrence, making it 5-4 after three innings.
Grayson would then bat around again in the fourth as they tallied four more runs, to go up 9-4. They would continue their onslaught at the plate in the top of the fifth, scoring three times to go up 13-4.
They would then score three runs in the top of the sixth to make it 16-4, as they had batted around for four consecutive innings.
Grayson head coach Stephen James said, “We put the ball in play there for four straight innings, and they made some mistakes, and we took advantage of those. I thought our starting pitcher, Austin Bryant pitched well after a shaky start.” Coach then added, “We’ve been playing better here the last couple of weeks.”
Grayson County finished the game with 16 hits.
The Blue Devils were led at the plate by Maverick Goad. He had three hits in four at-bats. He had five RBI and scored four runs. Makray Goad scored three runs, as did Braeden Ward. Zach Weatherman and Mason Carrico each had two RBI. All nine starters for the Blue Devils had at least one hit. Six players scored a run, and six had one RBI. Starting pitcher Austin Bryant picked up the win, going five innings. He struck out three and walked three.
Auburn was led at the plate by Colin Roark, who had three RBI with a sac fly and a two-run single. Canyon Calhoun and Jayden Lawrence both scored two runs. Calhoun took the loss on the mound after pitching 3.1 innings. He allowed seven runs, six hits, and walked two. Only three of those seven runs were earned.
Auburn head coach Eric Altizer, when asked about Grayson’s big third inning, said, “ We had a bad third, fourth, fifth and sixth. Grayson hit the ball. We had some errors, and they took advantage of those.”
Coach was then asked about his two senior college-bound players having to sit out; he said, “ Both Brody Hensel and Matthew Altizer may be back in seven to ten days.” Both are dealing with injuries.
Auburn committed six errors, and their four pitchers walked six batters.
Grayson is now 7-4 and has won four straight. Auburn dropped its second straight game, and its record dropped to 6-4.
Grayson Co. 0 0 5 4 4 3 – 16
Auburn 2 0 2 0 0 0 – 4
Grayson – 16 runs – 16 hits- 3 errors- 10 LOB
Auburn – 4 runs – 4 hits – 6 errors- 4 LOB
Grayson – WP – Bryant
Auburn – LP – Calhoun
