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Surging Wildcats win fifth straight
sports rhhs baseball
Cody Rushing is met at home plate after his three-run homer capped a seven run Wildcat fourth inning and the Cats cruised to a 11-0 region win over Baldwin County. - photo by Photo by Terry Logan
Richmond Hill surged to its fifth win in a row this past week with wins over McIntosh County Academy 18-5 in five innings and a similar result Friday against region foe Baldwin County 11-0 in a mercy-shortened contest.
The Wildcats improved to 13-6 and 6-2 in region 3-AAA and are hitting on all cylinders right now, but head coach Mitchell Curry knows the biggest games are still ahead of his team.
This week they will be away at Effingham County on Monday, at West Laurens Tuesday, then at Liberty County Friday for a 5:30 p.m. start before hosting Washington County Saturday at 1 p.m.
During Friday’s game against Baldwin, the Richmond Hill coach had hoped to spread the pitching duty around to help keep every one rested for the busy week ahead, but Kevin Matthews had other ideas.
The Wildcat lefthander walked one and gave up one hit in the first inning, but left the bases loaded for the Braves and would cruise the rest of the way. With only 62 pitches, Matthews struck out eight and faced the minimum from the second to fifth inning.
Cody Rushing’s first home run of the season highlighted a seven-run fourth inning. It ended the Richmond Hill catcher's personal drought and broke open the game.
“I was glad to see Cody get that, he has been pressing and trying a little too hard” Curry said. He also was glad to see the bottom of the order start to come around.
First baseman Adam Moe and designated hitter Ryan Esenwein took turns rallying their team with two out hits.
The pair had back to back two out hits in the first inning, Moe driving in two runs with a single and Esenwein driving in another for a three-run lead. In the third Moe’s two out triple was followed by Esenwein’s single to tack on another run.
Then in the fourth inning Rushing’s home run was followed by a Mathews single, Moe’s RBI ground ball error and Brett Auger’s two RBI single. Richmond Hill did not commit an error either. It was about as complete an effort as you can see a baseball team make.
Against McIntosh County Academy Brett Auger got the start and pitched three strong innings, giving up one run on two hits while striking out four. Cody Crow’s grand slam home run in the third capped a seven-run inning.
The Cats struck for nine more runs in the offense happy game in the fifth to put it away.
Leading hitters were: Crow 3-3 HR 7 RBI’s, Alex Real 2-4 3 RBI’s, Kevin Matthews 2-4 2 RBI’s. Richmond Hill had 12 hits and nine walks in the game.
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