By JEREMY SELLEW
Ringgold scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally past neighborhood rival Charleroi in a non-section baseball matchup Wednesday at Ken Griffey Sr. Field.
The win also marks the first in the varsity coaching career for Rams head coach Jeff Lander.
“It’s a great feeling to get that first win in the books. Our staff and the boys have really been putting the work in,” Lander said. “It was a big comeback win. Fisher and Sprinkle were able to keep us in it long enough for our bats to come alive.”
The big inning started with back-to-back singles by Tyler Fisher and Demetri Lowe. After Brandon Cole was hit by a pitch, Andrew Sprinkle drew a walk from Charleroi pitcher Kaden Woods to make it a 7-4 game.
Woods hit the next batter, Eddie Frizzell, with a pitch to make it 7-5 before Alex Kolano made it a one-run game with a sacrifice fly to right.
Sam Allen delivered the biggest blow of the inning, smacking a go-ahead two-run double to left to score Spring and Frizzell with the tying and go-ahead run.
“That was a clutch hit there by Sam,” Lander said. “It will do a lot for our team, a great team win.”
Sprinkle ended up getting the win in relief of starter Fisher. Sprinkle threw two perfect innings with one strikeout.
Lowe finished 2 for 3 for Ringgold (1-1) with an RBI and run scored.
For Charleroi, Woods took the loss after throwin 1 1/3 innings. He was tagged for six runs (five earned) on three hits.
The Cougars’ defense committed three errors.
Tyler Oneil doubled and drove in a run for Charleroi (2-1).
The Rams are back in action Tuesday, hosting Trinity. Charleroi will open section play Monday at Burgettstown.
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