TRENTON, Mo. — The Raiders won their first series of the season. Three Rivers won 3 out of 4 at North Central on Friday and Saturday. They split Friday, winning 5-1 and losing 8-4, Then swept Saturday 4-3 and 11-2 in seven innings. "Got pretty good pitching through games. Got the hitting when we needed it and didn't leave too many guys on base," Three Rivers coach Stacey Burkey said. Ryan Hunter scored twice in the opener and the top three spots in the lineup contributed all five runs for the Raiders (5-7, 3-5 Region XVI). Hunter and Garyn Stewart, who bats third, each went 2 for 2. Jared Moses and Steward scored and Winston Welter scored in place of Moses. Quentin Bowling pitched all seven innings in the win and allowed two hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. In the only loss, North Central (2-14, 0-4 Region XVI) scored three runs in the fi rst inning and added four more in the eighth with the score tied. "Even in the game we lost, our fi rst four had some really good at bats," Burkey said. Hunter was 0-2 with two runs after drawing walks in the fi rst and third innings. Stewart had a two-run home run in the third inning and Reece Reading had a two-run home in the first. Both scored Hunter. In Saturday's opener, Stewart had a go-ahead, leadoff home run in the top of the eighth inning. Preston Hart, batting leadoff, scored twice and was 2 for 4. Parker Dent got the win after pitching the fi nal three innings in relief. He struck out fi ve and allowed one walk and one hit. In the fi nal game, eight different spots in the lineup scored as the Raiders brought the run-rule into effect. Three Rivers had nine hits. Shelby Quiggins pitched six innings in the win and allowed two hits with no earned runs, giving the Raiders two different pitchers allowing two hits in wins. Three Rivers hosts Shawnee (Ill.) at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Roger Pattillo Field.
Scott Borkgren - Daily American Republic