The Versailles Republican
Sports
April 30, 2009
South Ripley Raiders
are working to be "The Boys of Summer"
Gary Franklin, Sports
Writer
In spite of having a new head coach in as many years leading
the South Ripley Raider baseball program, the season remains
positive. They continue their leather punching attack
on the diamond to maintain their baseball prowess in the
area as they once again open strong and positive in their
efforts.
This year's season behind the solid and confident leadership
of Coach Greg Hughes, in his first year in the Raider
hot seat, hasn't missed a beat. Once again they are proving
critics wrong about their capabilities. All have been
found to date to be positive for the baseball players
and its program at SRHS.
Continuing with strength and determination, the '09 Raiders
add regularly to their win column while remaining confident
when a loss comes their way.
The team enjoys senior leadership from Andy Miller, Jared
Keck, Blake Richmond, Thomas Welch, Seth Leonard and Kevin
Gullion. Junior members include: Brian Thomas, Jared Grossman,
Chase Grider, Kile Huss and Justin Clements. Sophomore
varsity players include: Jonathan Grossman, Tyler Landwehr,
Sam Stratton and Jerad Walters.
The Raiders are able to throw a number of different pitchers
at the opponents offensive batting threats to keep them
off guard. Their versatility and capability to move personnel
around the field to cover different positions and not
disrupt their game plan has proven to be a strong point
for them. They are playing team minded baseball, stepping
up to each challenge as required.
Coach Hughes is assisted by Curtis Stephen and Gil Landwehr,
depending on their availability. Each coach offers support
and adds their own talents to further the positivity of
the Raider baseball process, on and off the field.
Weekend of 4/24 & 25 results
Coach Hughes stated, "We had a successful attack
on the two teams faced this past weekend, beginning with
a Friday evening contest against the Switzerland County
Pacers where we claimed the 11-1 victory followed by a
Saturday morning game that found us winning 5-4 after
one extra inning of action, over the Franklin County Wildcats."
Referencing Friday's game vs SC, Coach Hughes stated,
"Brian Thomas pitched his best game of the season,
only allowing one unearned run on one hit. Thomas did
a good job of keeping the Pacers off-balance all night.
The win was also the result of a very balanced hitting
attack by the Raiders, which included a 3 for 3 game by
Chase Grider and a 3 for 4 outing by Jared Keck."
"Saturday's game was a great battle", stated
Coach Hughes, "senior Andy Miller pitched well in
his first start of the season. The Raiders' first four
batters all scored off five first inning hits, (for a
4-0 lead) then sat on it until extra innings."
In closing the game, a Kile Huss shot earned the game
winner in the bottom of the eighth inning, driving home
pinch runner Justin Clements. Senior Thomas Welch logged
the win, pitching in relief of teammate Miller. "It
was a good weekend and hopefully a confidence builder",
stated Coach Hughes.
SR batting stats
for the two games
Brian Thomas -
3 Walk's, a sgl & 3 Runs
Tyler Landwehr -
3 sgls, Walk, RBI & 3 Runs
Jared Keck -
3 sgl's, dbl, W, K, 3 RBI's & Run
Andy Miller -
Hit by Pitch, K, sgl & Run
Blake Richmond -
K, Walk, Hit by Pitch & Run
Thomas Welch -
2 Walks, 3 sgl's, tpl & 2 Runs
Kile Huss -
3 sgl's, W, 2 Runs & win vs FC
Seth Leonard -
dbl, 2 RBI's & 2 K's.
Chase Grider -
2 sgl's, dbl, W, RBI and 2 Runs
Jerad Walters -
No at Bats
Sam Stratton -
No at Bats
Over the two game action of the weekend, the Raiders scored
16 runs on 20 hits while only allowing 5 runs on 11 hits.
Nice job Coach Hughes and your SR Raider Team!
