Fruitland doubles up Nampa Christian; Griz win 8-4
Grizzlies rack up 12 hits in non-league win
Friday, April 4, 2008 11:22 AM PDT
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| Ray Rodriguez | Argus Observer
Fruitland third baseman Kole Olinger (left) makes an acrobatic throw to first base during the Grizzlies’ non-league baseball game Thursday in Fruitland. The Grizzlies scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat Nampa Christian 8-4. |
Argus Observer Sports Staff
Fruitland — Caleb Crim and Nate Bake had two hits apiece and the Fruitland Grizzlies defeated Nampa Christian 8-4 in non-league baseball action Thursday in Fruitland.
Once again, the Fruitland squad needed some late inning heroics to pull out the win.
The Grizzlies scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, breaking open what was a 4-4 deadlock.
In the game, eight different players racked up the 12 total hits with Tyson Flannery kicking in three RBIs. Kyle Blackwell added two RBIs and Reed Johnson chipped in a double and an RBI.
“Early on, we hit some balls pretty hard at people,” Fruitland head coach Russ Wright said. “When you hit the ball hard, eventually you will find some gaps and that’s something that happened tonight. We still got more to work on no question. But we’re going pretty good. I think we can get there.”
Fruitland (13-2 overall, 2-0 League) hosts McCall at 6 p.m. tonight.
Vale 13
New Plymouth 3
Vale
The New Plymouth baseball team enjoyed a 3-2 lead over Vale entering the bottom of the third inning, then self-destructed.
Vale scored seven runs in the third frame on one hit and took advantage of six free passes and two Pilgrim miscues and went on to the 13-3 five-inning in non-league baseball action Thursday in Vale.
Freshman sensation Kyle Barras was the beneficiary of the offensive output and tossed a complete game three hitter in his first varsity start. Barras struck out 10, walked one and overcame a rocky first inning where he allowed three runs.
“I thought he threw really well,” Vale coach Rick Yraguen said. “In the first inning he struggled. I’m sure he was nervous but after the first, he started working ahead. He was tough. Ten strikeouts is not bad at all for his first time out.”
Justin Johnson went 2-for-3 with a run scored and KJ Morris added a triple and two RBIs.
Vale pounded out six hits, received 12 walks and were led by Garrett Brown, who went 2-for-2. Barras and teammate Tyler Pirrie added two RBIs apiece and Nate Rutten chipped in an RBI single.
“We definitely struggled on the mound tonight,” New Plymouth head coach Darin Gray said. “When your pitchers walk 12 batters, you’re not giving yourself a chance to win. I was hoping for something out of our pitchers, but that didn’t happen.”
Vale (8-1 overall) travels to Weiser for a double-dip starting at 1 p.m. Saturday, while New Plymouth (7-5 overall) hosts Nampa Christian tonight.
