An eighth-inning walk-off blast by Austin Knox Friday evening lifted the Eagles of Richard Winn Academy over Cardinal Newman, 10-8, at Ruff Field. The two-run shot upped the Eagles’ record to 3-0 to start the 2013 season.
The Cards jumped out front early, scoring three runs in the first frame. The Eagles bounced back, plating runs in the next three innings to take a 6-3 lead at the bottom of the fourth. But the Cardinals would not roll over so easily, putting five more on the board to take an 8-6 lead going into the bottom of the sixth. The Eagles answered in the bottom half, scoring two to tie the game at 8-all.
After a scoreless seventh, the game headed into extra innings. With the Cardinals held at bay in the top half, the Eagles went to work in the bottom. Patrick Pope worked his way on board to set the table for Knox who ended the contest in dramatic fashion.
Sidney Edenfield earned the win for the Eagles, coming on in relief with one out in the sixth and going three innings. Edenfield struck out three, gave up two hits and two earned runs while walking none.
Patrick Pope got the start for the Eagles, working four innings and giving up three earned runs. Pope struck out a pair, gave up two hits, hit two batters and scattered five walks. Elijah Tucker came on in the fifth, walking three and giving up three earned runs on one hit.
Knox went 2-for-5 with a home run. Cameron Cooper, Matt Taylor and Elijah Tucker were each 2-for-4 at the plate.
The Eagles host Fairfield Central Thursday at 6 p.m. and travel to Great Falls Friday.
The Eagles took the first game in their cross-town rivalry last week, traveling to Fairfield Central March 6 and handing the Griffins a 15-3 drubbing.
Austin Knox notched the win for the Eagles, going 4 innings and striking out five. Knox gave up two runs on one hit while walking five. Knox also went 1-for-4 at the plate, driving in two runs. Sidney Edenfield went 1-for-2 with 4 RBIs, three stolen bases and scored two runs. The Eagles swiped a total of eight bases from the Griffins on the night.
Patrick Pope closed out the game for Richard Winn, throwing two innings and striking out three while giving up four hits, a walk and one unearned run.
Jason Branham went 1-for-2 with an RBI for the Eagles, Reid Johnson 1-for-2, and Matt Taylor and Hampton Caughman each went 1-for-3. Corey Davis was 1-for-4 with a stolen base.
Starting pitcher Compton Walker went two innings, giving up two hits and two earned runs while striking out two and walking three. Brandon Adams came on in relief in the third and worked two innings. Adams, who was saddled with the loss, gave up seven runs, all earned, on four hits and three walks while striking out a pair and hitting one batter. Stanley McManus closed out the game for the Griffins, going two innings and giving up six runs (one earned) on one hit and four walks. McManus also plunked one batter.
McManus went 1-for-3 at the plate with a triple and one RBI. Javarius Cook went 1-for 2 with one run and a stolen base. Markell Whitaker went 1-for-2 with one run and a stolen base.
