HILLSBORO, Mo. – The Three Rivers baseball team opened Region XVI play on Thursday as they played two at Jefferson College, but got swept by the Vikings. The Raiders lost game one 4-3 via a walk-off in the eighth inning and were shutout 4-0 in the second game.

The Raiders (11-12) opened game one with a three-run homer off the bat of Kolton Poorman in the first, but Jefferson tied it up with three runs in the third off of starter Noah Burkey, who was handed the no-decision after tossing 3.2 innings.

Both teams traded zeros forcing extra innings until reliever Austin Gast gave up a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth.

The second game of the day was a pitcher's duel until the bottom of the sixth when the Vikings plated four runs to earn the sweep. Michael White was given the starting nod on the mound and tossed five shutout innings while giving up four hits in the no-decision. At the plate, the Raiders struggled with the bats managing to only get four hits for the game.

Both teams will meet again in Poplar Bluff at noon Sunday in a doubleheader at Roger Pattillo Field.

Robert Augsdorfer - Daily American Republic