Jim’s Journal, June 26th, 2024

The Pirates have now won 10 of their last 15 games against the Reds, Pittsburgh jumping out to an early 8-0 lead last night at the Ballpark, and eventually taking the contest 9-5.  Starting pitcher Hunter Greene allowed 3 runs in the first inning, 3 more in the 3rd, he even looked to get a bit sick out on the mound, throwing up after 1 pitch to the game’s 2nd batter–  it just seemed not to be his night.  A few pitches after that, Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds ripped a 2-run homer, and the Pirates were on their way.  The Reds scored 3 times in the 5th inning, Spencer Steer with an RBI double, Tyler Stephenson contributing an RBI triple.  Elly De La Cruz reached base on an error in the 6th inning, scoring Jonathan India, and India also scored again in the 9th, on a double-play.  He actually had a big night, getting on base 5 times, and hitting a pair of doubles.  But again the Reds lose 9-5, the getaway day game against the Pirates on tap this afternoon.  The broadcast starts at 12:40 today, on the Sports Voice, 103.9 WRBI.

 

Former Batesville Bulldog pitcher Bryan Hoeing is reportedly working to rehab the hamstring muscle in his left leg, and he’s been sent by Miami Marlins officials, down to the minor leagues for that work.  A couple weeks after going on the disabled list, Hoeing tried to pitch for Jacksonville at the Triple-A level, but the injury flared up, so Bryan dropped back to Single-A Jupiter, Florida.  He threw a couple strong innings there week before last, and is now said to be back at Triple-A with Jacksonville.  Our Rob Lafary reports Bryan was going to throw about 3 innings for them last night, then hopefully get called back up to the big leagues after a few more games.

 

South Ripley Raider boys’ basketball’s been doing quite a bit of off-season training, headlined by taking part in the Charlie Hughes Shootout tournament in Indianapolis last weekend, where they chalked up 2 wins and 2 losses.  Greensburg was also reportedly playing there, along with other neighboring squads like Lawrenceburg, Switzerland County, and Madison.  The Raiders have defeated a couple bigger Class 4A teams at that event, dropping Southport 91-82, and Chesterton 70-52.  Many observers at the shootout say they’re impressed with South Ripley, led by rising seniors Cole Henry and Blaine Ward.  Henry managed to rack up 107 points over 4 games, and Ward scored 93, including 42 against Southport alone.