April 26, 2012 at 11:45 a.m.
First varsity win for Riley sends Highland past Comets
Monday he earned his first win with a stellar relief performance that helped the Cardinals to an 8-5 win over Cassville.
Riley worked the final 4 2/3 innings in relief of starter Branden McCoullough and earned the decision. He struck out two, walked one and gave up two hits. He was touched for two unearned runs.
McCoullough went 2 1/3 before Riley got the call. He had struck out two but struggled with his control, walking seven while giving up three runs, two earned. The Comets got to him for two hits.
"Branden struggled but Mitchell came in an did a great job of throwing strikes and getting them to hit the ball on the ground," said Highland coach Terry Cool. "This was his first varsity win of his career."
Riley also figured into the scoring with an rbi single in the fourth.
Andrew Wolfe was 3x3 with two rbis and two runs scored for the Cardinals. Tyler Kleist went 2x4 and stole two bases. Sawyer Mensch also went 2x4.
After giving up a single and a home run to the first two batters, McCoullough watched his teammates put up four runs in the bottom of the frame. Bailey Bodenstein coaxed a walk as did Nic Pierick before a single by Kleist loaded the bases. Blake Bodenstein and Wolfe drove in the runs.
The Cardinals added solo runs in the second, fifth and seventh.
Completing the 10 hit attack for Highland were Blake Bodenstein, Riley and Austin Yager.
"We hit the ball pretty well with 10 singles," Cool said.
Last Tuesday the Cardinals managed only one hit in a 9-0 loss to Potosi.
The lone Highland hit was a single in the seventh by losing pitcher Nic Pierick.
Pierick struggled early then finished with six strikeouts, five walks, five hits and seven runs of which three were earned.
Dalton Michek finished, striking out two, giving up three singles and a pair of unearned runs.
The Cardinals had four baserunners in the game. Blake Bodenstein reached twice on walks, Pierick had his single and Kleist was hit by a pitch.
