The South Ripley Raiders defeated The Southwestern Rebels 9-8.
Down 8-1 in the 4th, the South Ripley Raiders mounted an epic comeback, highlighted by Lane Sparks’ walk-off base hit in the bottom of the sixth, to defeat the previously undefeated Southwestern Rebels 9-8.
In their last at-bat, down 8-4, two outs and nobody on, the Raiders started their rally: Jon Adkins singled; Cody Samples walked, Eric Vickers reached on a error – Adkins scored; Brady Linkel singled – Samples and Vickers scored; Aaron Greiwe and Dillon Binion drew back to back walks; that set the stage for birthday boy Sparks, who lined a hit over third, allowing Binion and Greiwe to score and setting off a celebration for the home team.
Sparks was also the winning pitcher, coming on in relief to pitch three and one-third innings. Adkins paced the offense with three hits and a run scored; Greiwe was on base all four times with two hits and two walks, scoring three times; Linkel had a base hit, 2 RBI, and a run scored; and Sparks finished with a hit, walk, and 2 RBI. The Rebels were 11-0 coming into the game.
The 3-1 Raiders next play at home Thursday, May 19 against the Greensburg Titans.
Courtesy of Raiders Coach Jeff Greiwe.