attempting to advance in Monday night’s game at Billy Sample Field.
PHOTO BY BRIAN HOFFMAN
The Salem High baseball team bounced back from a tough loss against Blacksburg Monday to beat Patrick Henry Tuesday, 10-0. With the win Salem improves to 8-3 on the season with a non-district game at Lord Botetourt tonight.
Salem hosted Blacksburg in a big River Ridge District game on Monday and had to go without ace pitcher Trace Monroe, who was scheduled to start but was out with the flu. Instead Zack Bocock took the hill and battled the Bruins to a 2-2 tie through five innings. However, the dam broke in the sixth as Blacksburg scored seven runs on four hits, a walk and two errors against Bocock and reliever Keegan Craighead.
“We had seven hits but only one with runners in scoring position,” said Salem coach Jimmy Winterer.
Ben Keffer had a double and two runs batted in for Salem. Carter Black and Mason Hale had two hits each in the loss.
Last Thursday at Northside the host Vikings scored five first inning runs and went on to an 11-1 slaughter rule win in a non-district game.
“We had a nightmare first inning,” said Winterer. “Some wind aided and sideways hops in the outfield allowed Northside extra bases and to get a fast start.”
Craighead started and took the loss with Mason Brown and Jack Stroud pitching in relief. Bryden White was two-for-two with a double and drove in Salem’s only run.
The Spartans bounced back on Friday with a 9-1 win at Christiansburg. Black was solid on the mound with 10 strikeouts in five and a third innings of four-hit ball. Keffer had two hits and drove in three, including a huge bases loaded double in the top of the third to make it 6-1. White and freshman Aidan Poff drew three walks each.
The Spartans continue a four-game week with a game at Lord Botetourt tonight followed by a home game against Pulaski County under the Billy Sample Field lights at 7:15 pm Friday.
