By RODNEY YOUNG
NRVSports.net
Playing on a sunny, early Thursday afternoon, the visiting Rappahannock Raiders would hold on to defeat the Auburn Eagles 6-5.
Auburn would score in the first inning as Brody Hensel would lead off by getting hit by a pitch. After a fly out to center, Canyon Calhoun would hit a ball to third, but the throw would be too high to first. The first baseman would then throw the ball away to put Hensel on third with just one out. Alex Young would then hit a single to left to drive in Hensel.
The score remained 1-0 going to the top of the fourth as Rappahannock would draw three bases on balls and a hit batter by Eagle pitcher Calhoun. After a pitching change, another hit by pitch would then put the Raiders up 2-1. Davis Richardson would then hit a sharp single to center to drive in two runs. Dan Morrison then doubled to score two more, and just like that, it was 6-1 Raiders. All that happened with two outs.
Auburn, the defending Class 1 state champions, would battle back in their half of the fifth with Hensel’s single, Matthew Altizer’s single, and Calhoun’s single, which would score Hensel. Young then singled to score Altizer to make it 6-3. A pitching change by the Raiders, but Colin Roark grounded out to score the fourth run. Cody Flinchum’s single would then knock in Young, and it was 6-5.
Auburn ( 4-1) would put two runners on base in the sixth, but they were stranded on first and second. They would then, in the seventh, get a lead-off double by Young, but couldn’t move him over or in, as the game ended on a strikeout.
“I’m so proud of the guys,” said Auburn head coach Eric Altizer. “We scheduled this game to get better. Rappahannock is a great team. The first half of this season for us is about growing and developing.” Coach then said, “ Canyon ( Calhoun ) got tired there in the fourth inning with two outs . We had chances there in the sixth and seventh.”
Rappahannock’s Dan Morrison got the start and the win. He helped himself with the bat, going two for four with two RBI. Davis Richardson knocked in two and scored a run.
Auburn’s Young was three for four, knocked in two, and scored a run. Colin Roark, Flinchum and Calhoun had one RBI each.
These two teams have won the state title seven of the last nine years in Class 1.
Rappahannock 0 0 0 6 0 0 0- 6
Auburn 1 0 0 0 4 0 0- 5
Rappahannock – 6 runs – 5 hits- 3 errors- 6 LOB
Auburn – 5 runs- 9 hits- 1 error – 9 LOB
Rappahannock – WP- Morrison, Save – Douglas
Auburn -LP – Calhoun
