Red Knights bounce back, stop Creek
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TORONTO -- The Toronto baseball team rose to the challenge against Jefferson County rival Indian Creek.
The Redskins recorded two runs in the top of the third inning to tie the score, but the Red Knights rebounded and pushed three runs across in the bottom half of the inning en route to a 5-2 victory on an overcast Saturday afternoon at the Knights Baseball Complex.
"It was a very well-played game by both teams," Toronto (4-1) head coach Brian Perkins said. "The kids were anxious to get back out. They were anxious to get back onto the field. They wanted to get that bad taste out of their mouths. We did a lot of good things on the field today."
Indian Creek made some costly mistakes early, but the Redskins settled down and played a solid game the rest of the way.
"We made a couple of throwing errors in the first, and that gave them some life," Indian Creek (2-1) head coach Mike Cottis said. "We are going to correct those mistakes so they don't happen again. I am proud of the way we played."
A.J. Clegg collected the win for the Red Knights. Clegg struck out five, walked four and allowed two runs on five hits in five innings of work on the mound.
Tristan Thomas pitched the final two innings. Thomas did not record a strikeout, while walking one. He did not give up a run, while allowing one hit.
"A.J. pitched fantastic," Perkins said. "He threw an outstanding game. He has been battling a blister issue on his finger. He gutted it out. He did a fantastic job. He kept us in the game.
"Tristan came in and did a good job. He threw strikes, and we were able to make the plays behind him."
Josh Speaker took the loss for the Redskins. Speaker struck out three, walked two and allowed five runs on eight hits.
"Josh pitched a great game," Cottis said. "He kept us in the game. He threw well."
Twelve of the 13 hits in the game were singles. The Red Knights recorded the only extra-base hit of the game.
For Toronto, Zac Berger belted a two-run single, Nick Sninchak singled twice and drove in a run and Nate Karaffa finished with a double.
Also, Nick Chetock collected two base hits, while Lucas Gulczynski and Brendan Matyas both tallied singles.
"We were really focused," Perkins said. "We had some great at-bats early on in the game. We were seeing the pitches well. We had good at-bats. Later on, we lost a little bit of focus at the plate."
For Indian Creek, Richie Gaultiere tallied a run-scoring single, Josh Maurer recorded an RBI and Coy Amis, Adam Baker, Tyler Smarella and Speaker all produced singles.
Indian Creek committed two errors -- both coming in the first inning -- while Toronto played a clean game on defense.
"No matter who you are playing, you have to take care of the baseball," coach Cottis said. "You have to make the routine plays."
The errors proved costly for the Redskins as they led to a pair of runs giving the hosts an early 2-0 lead.
"We did a great job," Perkins said. "We took advantage of a couple of errors. We preach to the kids about putting pressure on the other teams. We had some good at-bats. If we continue to do that, good things are going to happen."
The Redskins rallied and tied the score thanks to a pair of runs in the third. Gaultiere singled home the first run to make it 2-1, and Maurer plated Gaultiere with a ground out two batters later.
The Red Knights answered right back.
Sninchak singled home the go-ahead run to make the score 3-2, then Berger followed with his two-run single to increase Toronto's advantage to 5-2.
"It was very important to come right back and score," Perkins said. "That shows good leadership on the part of our kids. We have a veteran crew. We were able to come back out and score, and if we continue to do that good things will happen."
Three of Indian Creek's hits came in the third.
"Absolutely, this game can help us going forward," Coach Cottis said. "We learned to be more aggressive in our at-bats. If we continue to be aggressive, good things will happen."
Both teams are scheduled to play Monday.
Indian Creek is slated to play at 5 p.m. against rival Big Red, while Toronto is scheduled to play its first road game at 5:30 p.m. at United.
Toronto 5, Indian Creek 2
Indian Creek 0-0-2 0-0-0 0 -- 2-5-2
Toronto 2-0-3 0-0-0 x -- 5-8-0
INDIAN CREEK( 2-1): Speaker (LP, 6IP, 5R, 8H, 3K, 2BB) and Ko. Cottis.
TORONTO (4-1): Clegg (WP, 5IP, 2R, 4H, 5K, 4BB), Thomas (2IP, 0R, 1H, 0K, 1BB) and Gulczynski.
TWO OR MORE HITS: Indian Creek none; Toronto 2 (Chetock 2, Sninchak 2). DOUBLES: Indian Creek none; Toronto 1 (Karaffa). TRIPLES: Indian Creek none; Toronto none. HOME RUNS: Indian Creek none; Toronto none. RBIs: Indian Creek 2 (Gualtiere, Maurer); Toronto 3 (Beger 2, Sninchak)