Offense explodes in 6th to lead Red Devils over Lions in district opener

FLATWOODS — Always better late than never.

Struggling to get their bats going for five innings, Russell's offense ignited for 11 runs in the bottom of the sixth to give the Red Devils a 13-3 run rule win over the Lewis County Lions on Monday evening.

Russell (10-4) ended up with 15 hits in total, with Dawson Wada going 3-of-4 at the plate and two RBI. Layne Paxson went 3-3 with a double and an RBI. Hunter McGowan went 2-4 with an RBI. Griffin Fisher 2-4 with two RBI. Jacob Tolliver went 2-4 with an RBI. Gunnar Hignite, Jayden Frasure and Grayson Kiser each collected a hit and an RBI.

Caleb Groves picked up the win after coming in as relief in the fifth. Groves allowed one hit and struck out three. Lokelio Ancheta started the game for Russell, giving up just 2 earned runs, 5 hits and struck out five in a no decision.

Russell trailed 3-2 going into the bottom of the sixth when the bats came alive and set in motion an 11-run rally to win the game.

With one on, Paxson slapped a 3-1 pitch down the right field line for an RBI-double to tie the game up at 3-all. Then Kiser laid down a bunt single to put runners on the corners. Then Paxson scored on the double steal to give the Red Devils their first lead.

Consecutive hits from Wada and McGowan scored two more runs to extend the lead. Then Tolliver hit into a fielder's choice to score another run.

Fisher followed up with a single into center to score a pair of runs to push the lead out to 6 runs.

On the next pitch, Frasure ripped a hit down the left field line for an RBI-single to make it 10-3 and later scored on a wild pitch to make it 11-3.

Paxson hit a flare into right field and scored when Hignite singled into right.

Three batters later, Paxson scored on a passed ball to give the 10-run rule to win.

Parker Jordan led Lewis County (3-10) at the plate, going 2-3. Jameson Switzer had a hit and an RBI. Braxton Egbert, Woodrow Underwood, and Cayden Stevenson each collected a hit. Bryson Helpehenstine had an RBI.

Cameron Ferris took the loss for the Lions after coming on in relief in the fourth.

Lewis County 001 200 = 3 7 0

Russell  001 10(11) = 13 8 0

Jameson Switzer, Cameron Farris (4), Braylon Puente (6) and Parker Jordan. Lokelio Ancheta, Caleb Groves (5) and Griffin Fisher. W-Groves (IP: 2.0, H-1, R-0, ER-0, K-3, BB-0). Ancheta (IP-4.0, H-5, R-3, ER-2, K-5, BB-2). L-Ferris (IP-1.1, H-5, R-4, ER-4, K-0, BB-2). Switzer (IP-3.2, H-4, R-2, ER-2, K-2, BB-0, HBP-5). Puente (IP-0.2, H-6, R-7, ER-7, K-0, BB-2, WP-3). Hitting–Lewis County: Braxton Egbert 1-3, Bryson Helpehenstine RBI, Parker Jordan 2-3, Woodrow Underwood 1-3, Cayden Stevenson 1-3, Jameson Switzer 1-2 RBI; Russell: Gunnar Hignite 1-3 RBI, Dawson Wada 3-4 2-RBI, Hayden McGowan 2-4 RBI, Jayden Frasure 1-2, Jacob Tolliver 2-4 RBI, Griffin Fisher 2-4 2-RBI, Jayden Frasure 1-2 RBI, Layne Paxson 3-3 2B RBI, Grayson Kiser 1-2 RBI.