BLYTHEWOOD – As one of eight area high school baseball programs included, Richard Winn Academy’s varsity squad started opened play with a 14-0 win over Great Falls in their first tournament game on Feb. 26. The Eagles opened pool play at Westwood High School, host of the first annual National Restoration Brokerage Invitational.
“Many of our guys have been competing in basketball, so we have been limited in what we could do in practice up until a few days ago,” said Head Coach Paul Brigman.
Brigman and coaches Brent Silvia and Peyton Gilbert worked with the small nucleus of non-basketball players during the pre-season and plugged in the remaining athletes once basketball ended. It proved to be a successful combination as the Eagles wasted no time in scoring 14 runs in the first three innings, holding Great Falls to only 2 hits.
Senior Brian King got the start from the hill. He faced 8 batters, threw 20 strikes in 42 pitches, walked 2, and struck out 4 in his two innings on the mound. Anthony Armstrong came in to pitch the final 3 innings and got the save. He threw 26 strikes in 57 pitches, 4 strikeouts, and allowed 3 walks while facing 13 batters. Both pitchers allowed one hit.
King also led at the plate, batting 3-3 with 5 RBIs on two singles and a double. B Baker and Miller Stuck each tallied a stolen base.
“We are excited about the upcoming season and were glad to get started with a win on Saturday against Great Falls,” Brigman added. “I felt that the boys responded and played well. I felt like our seniors did a great job of leading us, and many of our younger guys were able to get a chance and contribute as well.”
The Eagles faced the Chester Cyclones as Tuesday’s tournament opponent in Great Falls and ended the game in a 1-1 tie.
Richard Winn took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Rob Wilson singled on a 2-1 count to score B Baker from second.
Chester remained scoreless until the top of the third when they plated a run on a fielder’s choice.
Berry Bonds got the start on the mound for Richard Winn. In 2.1 innings pitched, he allowed 4 hits and 1 run; he walked 4 and struck out 3. Landon Caulder faced 11 batters in 2.2 innings of relief. He struck out 2, walked 2 and allowed 2 hits. Wilson threw the final two innings, striking out 1 and allowing 3 hits.
“I was excited about the way our team responded to a stiffer challenge,” Brigman said of Tuesday’s game against Chester. “Our boys played excellent defense, and we had some quality at bats against some very good pitchers. We look forward to a chance to get better as we prepare for region play next week.”
The Eagles took on York Prep in a final pool play game on Wednesday at Great Falls, but scores were not available at press time. The game was rescheduled after Monday’s weather cancellation. The Championship rounds of the National Restoration Brokerage Invitational are tonight. The Eagles are set to host CA Johnson for their home opener Monday at 6 p.m.
RWA – 3-6-5-0-0-X-X – 14, 11, 1
GFHS – 0-0-0-0-0-X-X – 0, 2, 1
WP: King LP: Bear
Hitters: King 3-3, 2B; Lancaster 2-2, 2B; Caulder 2-2; Baker 1-1; Bonds 1-2; Chaisson 1-3; Steward 1-3, 2B.
CHS – 0-0-1-0-0-0-0 – 1, 9, 1
RWA – 1-0-0-0-0-0-0 – 1, 5, 2
HITTERS: Baker 1-2; Wilson 1-4; Caulder 1-3; Stuck 1-3; Steward 1-3.
