CHARLESTON, Tenn. — Determined not have a repeat of the night before, Cleveland paid Walker Valley back in spades to even the important District 5-4A series Wednesday evening, at Mike Turner Field.
After the Mustangs shut out the Blue Raiders 7-0 on Tuesday, Cleveland got the hitting and a no-hit pitching performance from Charley Atha to rout the in-county rivals 12-2 for a five-inning "mercy rule" blowout.
The victory knotted the key District 5-4A series at a game apiece, with the rubber game to be played Thursday evening, weather permitting, back at Mike Turner Field.
Both teams are 3-2 in league play with the Raiders improving to 16-7 overall, while the Herd slipped to 12-10.
RAIDERS 12, MUSTANGS 2: Cleveland gave Atha a good cushion to take to the mound with a pair of runs in the game's first at bat.
River Briggs drove the second pitch of the game right back up the middle for a single.
On the next pitch, Sam Coleman ripped a double down the left field line, but Briggs, trying to score from first, was nailed at the plate on a relay by Walker Valley third baseman Brody Ownby.
While Collin Stuart was working the Mustang starter for a base on balls, Coleman raced home on a wild pitch to get the scoring started.
Jonas Ernest followed with a solid single to right field and when Stuart made the turn to third the throw wasn't in time, and in trying to peg Ernest at second the ball got away, allowing Stuart to score.
Although Atha started his work issuing a walk to Herd leadoff Owen Sneed and a sacrifice bunt by Micah Stone moving him to second, the Raider right-hander struck out the next batter and got out of the inning on a comebacker to the mound, which he fires to first for the final out.
A one-out double by Owen Goglio led to another run for the visitors as he came around to score a few minutes later on a two-out Mustang miscue.
The Raiders put up a 4-spot in their third at bat with Stuart "taking one for the team" to start the merry-go-round, with Ernest following with a walk.
After a ground out moved them up a base and a strike out made it look like the hosts might escape without further damage, Stuart was able to cross the plate on a wild pitch while Atha was working his counterpart for a base on balls.
Goglio then stepped into the box and unloaded on a 2-2 pitch, sending it sailing over the left field wall for a three-run bomb and a 7-0 advantage.
Cleveland picked up two more runs when Briggs opened the top of the fourth with a walk and Coleman stroked another single to set the stage.
After a strikeout, Ernest was working the WV reliever for a free pass when Briggs and Coleman pulled off a double steal before they moved up again on a wild pitch a moment later.
Caden Tippen drove in Ernest with single, raising the difference to 9-0.
A one-out single by J Bates, a double by Briggs and Coleman getting hit by a pitch started another Raider rally in the fifth. Stuart brought home Bates with a ground out, while Ernest delivered a two-out two-bagger to drive in the other pair.
Facing an early evening, Walker Valley took advantage of a little wildness by Atha in the bottom of the fifth, with Milligan signee Michael Pledge drawing a walk before Tyce Knouse grounded into a fielder's choice.
Satchel Cole and Sneed also "walked the line" to jam the sacks before Stone was "plunked" forcing in Knouse.
Maryville College signee Titus Torbett picked up his 18th RBI of the campaign with a ground out before Atha was able to close out the "no-no" with another ground ball.
Although he had to work out of jams in each inning, due to handing out eight "free passes," Atha struck out a pair while throwing 85 pitches, only 38 of which found the strike zone.
Briggs, Coleman, Ernest and Goglio each had a couple of hits, with Goglio plating three runs and Ernest a pair of teammates.
GAME SUMMARY
District 5-4A
Wednesday, April 9
at Mike Turner Field
Cleveland 214 23 — 12 10 0
Walker Valley 000 02 — 2 0 2
WP: Charley Atha 6 IP, 2 Ks, 7 BB, 1 HBP, 1 hit, 2 ER. LP: Cooper Cantrell 2.2 IP, 3 Ks, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 5 hits, 5 ER. HR: Owen Goglio (C). 2B: River Briggs, Sam Coleman, Jonas Ernest, Goglio (C). RBI: Goglio 3, Ernest 2, Collin Stuart, Caden Tippens (C). RECORDS: Cleveland 16-7, 3-2 District 5-4A; Walker Valley 12-11, 3-2 District 5-4A.