Strong pitching and defense helped the Reivers to a series win over Indian Hills this weekend at Doc Ross Field.
The Reivers, ranked 15th in the country, extended their conference lead with the 5-0 and 5-1 Saturday.
Both games were error-free, and in the opener, Braedyn McLaughlin pitched a two-hit shutout, striking out nine. In the second game, Jordan Bonk gave up four hits and a run over six innings before Trystan Kimmel picked up the save.
Today we had a couple of pitchers who were ready to go deep into the game. That's important for us. I still think we have better days ahead hitting-wise."
He said offensively, too many hitters are waiting for someone else to ignite the offense.
"We're giving up too many at-bats," he said. "Don't get me wrong; I'm not complaining, but we do have some things to work on."
In the first game, the Reivers got on the board in the second when Isaiah Peterson walked, Gregory Bennett singled, and they both scored on an error by Hills' third baseman.
They added three more in the fifth when Jaden Rolffs singled and Javon Mason ran for him.
Ronald Sweeny III doubled Mason to third, and Mason scored when Ross Indlecoffer reached on a fielder's choice. Indlecoffer and Sweeny each scored later on wild pitches.
Sweeny doubled twice in each game.
"He was a little discouraged in the first game" after striking out with runners on first and second, Rardin said. "Good thing was, he cleared his head, reset and had better at-bats.
In game two, the Reivers put together a four-run fifth.
After two of the first three batters were hit by pitches, Sweeny had an RBI double, Rolffs hit a two-run single and Caleb Balgaard added an RBI single.
Sunday's games started out with more of the same. The Reivers won with a score of 4-1, with Jared Simpson going 3, allowing just 1 unearned run, Marius Balandis going 3, and getting the win, and Trystan Kimmel picking up the save in the seventh. Caleb Balgaard and Isaiah
Peterson both connected for home runs, with Balgaard's being a 3 run blast.
The second game Indian Hills took from the Reivers with a score of 3-0. Jayden Kruse took the loss going 2 innings and giving up 1 run. Caleb Balgaard and Isaiah Peterson picked up the Reivers only extra base hits in the game, both doubles.
The Reivers will play again Wednesday at Southeast Community College (NE). For scores and schedule updates follow the Reivers on Twitter @ReiversBaseball.
