Tigers on a tear
Sonoraville answered with a counterpunch to Ringgold’s first big blow last Wednesday, but the next few seemed to pile up on the Phoenix.
The Tigers scored three runs early, which Sonoraville answered with two of their own, but Ringgold continued to add on offensively to earn a 17-6 Region 6-AAA win on the road.
Ringgold led 3-2 after one inning but then added one in the second and really took control of the game with a five-run third to take a 9-2 lead. After the Phoenix scored one more in the bottom half of the third to make it 9-3, Ringgold exploded for a seven-run fourth to put the game out of reach for good.
“The last few ballgames we’ve done a good job bunting, getting runners over, putting the ball in play and just taking the RBI however we can get it,” said Ringgold coach Brent Tucker. “We’ve also gotten some big two-out hits. We just want to keep adding on once we get a lead and keep the pressure on teams. I think we’re starting to find it, but we’re still working to get there. We’ve just got to keep building each game.”
The Tigers got several big offensive performances led by Tyler Nichols who had two hits, including a double, to go along with five RBIs. Hunter Rickets added two hits and three RBIs, and Rhett Baldwin had two hits with a double, an RBI and three runs scored. Nathan Camp and Wyatt Tennant both had two-run homers, and Camp added a sac fly as well.
Grant Clark had a two-out, two-run triple in the first inning to pull
the Phoenix back within a run. Tyler Lyles added a hit and an RBI, Gavin Phillips had a double and a run scored and Gage Soulios hit a threerun homer in the fourth.
Sonoraville coach Bret Greene said his team got down early to a good team, and the Tigers took advantage of their chances from there.
“Ringgold is a very good team, and when you give them opportunities, they’re going to do what they do,” said Greene. “We’ve just got to find a way to correct that by getting ahead in the count, playing good fundamental defense and getting out of innings limiting damage.”
Camp got the win for Ringgold, pitching the shortened complete game. He went five innings and gave up six runs on five hits while striking out four.
“You’re never going to complain about your offense scoring 17 runs, but it’s hard to get in a groove as a pitcher when you have such long innings by your offense,” said Tucker. “But (Nathan) did a good job finding a little bit of a rhythm and battling through it to get a win.”
Ringgold 16, Murray County 2
Even when winds are calm, Bill Womack Field is known as a hitter’s park. But on days when the gusts are headed toward the outfield fence, the Ringgold High School baseball field can be a hitter’s dream.
Like this past Thursday.
The Tigers’ MASH Unit was at it again as the Blue-and-White mashed five home runs en route to a 16-2 thumping.
Camp and Daulton Schley both had three hits, including one home run each. Baldwin, Ricketts and Andre Tarver each hit round-trippers as part of their two hits on the afternoon. Holden Tucker was 3-for-4 and Noah Parrish went 2-for4. Tucker also got the win on the mound.
The continued to fire on all cylinders Friday as the Region 6-AAA slate reached the halfway point.
The Tigers, who began the this new week 8-1 in region play, have won five straight since their 12-inning loss to North Murray on March 21. In those five games, they have outscored their opponents 64-11.
It was the Rhett Baldwin show against Blue Devils as he went 3-for-4 at the plate, including a home run, and was the winning pitcher in the shutout victory.
Tucker and Tarver were both 3-for-5, while Camp went 2-for-3.
Ringgold (17-4 overall) will head to Adairsville on Tuesday for a 5:55 p.m. contest.