Spartans fall to Maniacs in five innings
Priest River was defeated by Orofino, 19-1, at Orofino High School on Saturday, April 8.
It was the fourth inning that put the dagger in Priest River. A combination of errors, walks and stolen bases led to the Spartans giving up 10 runs in the inning, which solidified a final score of 19-1.
The Spartans’ only run came in the top of the first inning when Shayd Wong-Yuen stole home on a passed ball.
Besides that one unearned run, Orofino’s Loudan Cochran was dominant on the mound. He pitched all five innings and put up an impressive line only giving up two hits, five walks and recording nine strikeouts.
In addition to the 10-run fourth inning, Orofino was able to put up three runs in the first, second and third innings. Shortstop Bodey Howell led the way for the Maniacs with two hits, two runs scored, and three RBIs. Silas Naranjo and Aiden Olive also added two hits each with a combined three RBIs.
Orofino’s Gavin Christopherson also had three RBIs in the contest, even though he did not officially record a hit. This statistical anomaly occurred due to Christenson recording a sacrifice fly and reaching first base twice due to errors by the Spartans.
Garrett Reynolds and Colton Brooks recorded the only two hits the Spartans had in the contest. They have been a bright spot for the Spartans so far this season. Hunter Rose recorded two walks.
“We need to cut down on our strikeouts and put the ball in play. We will get back to work and get better. We have a busy week ahead of us,” head coach Mark Schultz said.
On the mound, Charles Bennett and Colton Brooks struggled a bit; 10 of the 19 runs given up were earned. On the plus side, Brooks recorded three strikeouts in his three innings of work while Bennett recorded two of his own in one inning.
“On the mound, I thought Colton and Charles threw well. Our pitchers threw better than the score says. We made errors at the wrong time, and that’s what led to that score,” Schultz said.
Priest River (0-5) will be back in action with an away game today at Timberlake, and a doubleheader Friday at Newport.
PRIEST RIVER 1, OROFINO 19
PRIEST RIVER 100 00 – 1 2 5
OROFINO 333 (10)X – 19 10 1
HITS: PR — Brooks, L. Reynolds; ORO – S. Naranjo 2, Howell 2, Harrison 2, Gilmore, Cochran, Olive
2B – Howell 2, Gilmore, L. Reynolds