AVON —The Riverside High School baseball team, still with a stellar 23-4 record, now have their backs against the wall after the Bulldogs fell to visiting Baldwyn 8-6 Tuesday night in the opening game of a best-of-three series of the Class 2A MHSAA State Baseball Playoffs.
The Bulldogs from Avon seemed to be cruising to a sure victory Tuesday night. Heading into the top of the fifth inning, Riverside senior ace Jason Irion was pitching a no-hitter and Riverside’s bats were heating up helping the Bulldogs take a 6-0 lead into the top of the fifth inning.
But, then, the Bearcats from Baldwyn got back in the game with some clutch hitting and by taking advantage of a few Bulldog mistakes to score two runs in the ninth inning (the second extra inning of the game).
Game 2 of the series is scheduled to be played at Baldwyn on Friday at 5 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, will be played Saturday at Riverside at 2 p.m.
“Last night was a perfect example of why the game of baseball is so awesome. No matter the score, a team is NEVER out of it,” Riverside coach Boo Ellis wrote. “I think we started out great…we had some really productive at bats with guys In scoring position, moved guys around with some great bunts that eventually scored. I thought our defense played lights off early, but struggled late when it counted most. You can’t miss routine plays and make poor throwing decisions and expect to win.”
The Bulldogs scored their first run in the bottom of the second inning when freshman Braxton Toten singled in a run to make it 1-0. Riverside, then, scored five more runs to make it 6-0 in the bottom of the third after a Lucas Sims RBI single, an Abraham Ramirez run on a wild pitch, a two-run double by Cody Polson and an RBI base hit by Jason Irion.
Ellis and his Bulldogs are hoping to keep their ‘season to remember’ alive this Friday, but they know it won’t be easy as Coach Ellis explains: “Now the question is are we a good team or a very good team? Last night we were just a good team. Next game is Friday, and I have all the confidence in the world in our team especially Lucas Sims (10-0) will get the start for us. He has done an outstanding job pitching away from home. WE need to stay aggressive at the plate and keep getting production when guys are in scoring position. Defense…well making the easy plays is a must.”
