Sixth-inning surge lifts Lions

By LARRY BUGG
Published March 9, 2005

LECANTO - Hernando Christian scored four runs on three hits and two errors in the sixth inning en route to an 8-3 victory over Seven Rivers Christian.

Chris Rule singled in two runs in the sixth inning Tuesday. Zach Bowe pitched three innings of relief to pick up the victory for HCA (2-2). Chad Peets (1-2) took the defeat for Seven Rivers (4-3).

At the plate, Bowe was 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI. HCA led 3-2 in the fifth inning until Seven Rivers' Cody Swain singled in the tying run.

In the sixth, HCA's Tyler Peterson led off with a walk and stole second. Robbie Fleischer singled Peterson home, then Fleischer scored on a wild pitch. Two outs later, Noah Lane walked and Robby Taylor was hit by a pitch. Rule then singled Lane and Taylor home.

Fleischer had two hits and two runs. Lane had two hits, an RBI and a run scored. For Seven Rivers, Swain was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

"I threw four curves tonight," Bowe said. "I started off slow and am coming on. My curve ball kept them off balance."

Lions coach Mike Ellison sees room for improvement.

"We're still struggling," Ellison said. "We're not going to crank it up for another four or five games. We did the same thing last year. This was the best I have seen (Bowe) throw. He threw one curve ball that broke better than any curve I have seen him throw. They fooled me. Zach came on in relief and was great. We started hitting the ball."

Seven Rivers coach Steve Ekeli was impressed with his team's recent improvement.

"We turned a huge corner," he said. "We put good games together last night and tonight. We put the ball in play. We didn't make a lot of errors. I have a sophomore-laden team. Great job by Justin Richardson. Chad pitched a great game. He just got tired. He was able to come back. His curveball was looking great."

[Last modified March 9, 2005, 00:55:19]