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Three Rivers maintains playoff hopes
By Staff Reports
Thursday, July 17, 2008 | No comments posted.
The Three Rivers Sandblasters got a run in the ninth inning to beat visiting Post 9 of Salem 11-10 on Wednesday and improve their playoff hopes.
The run in the final inning completed a rally from a 10-2 deficit as Three Rivers improved to 6-6 in league play with three games remaining. The Sandblasters visit Albany on Friday, host Withnell Dodge of Salem on Saturday and visit Springfield on Monday.
Withnell Dodge beat the Sandblasters 8-0 on Tuesday.
Through Wednesday’s games, Corvallis is in first place at 7-4, just in front of Withnell Dodge (6-4). Post 9 is 6-5 and alone in third place. Three Rivers is 6-6 and Springfield is 5-6. The top four teams advance to the league playoffs.
Scott Buche had a huge game for Three Rivers on Wednesday, both on the field and in the dugout.
He started the rally with a three-run home run in the fifth inning, had the game-winning single with two outs in the ninth inning and added two other hits for a total of five RBIs.
Buche also pitched five innings in relief of Chase Meister, allowing just two hits and one run and striking out eight batters.
“Scott Buche had a game I am sure he will remember forever,” said Three Rivers coach Alex Morales. “Obviously, he did a good job on the field, but his energy in the dugout, especially when we were down early, is what really kept us from getting too down and staying in it.”
Tyler Mais had two triples and a double and also reached base with a walk and was hit by a pitch. He drove in two runs and scored the game-winner.
Alex Clark went 2-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and three runs scored.
Chad Fahey and Matt Kirscher each had three hits for Post 9.
Wednesday’s offensive outburst, which included 14 hits, was a sharp contrast to Tuesday, when Three Rivers managed just four hits and no runs against Ryan Hood-Taylor of Withnell Dodge.
The Sandblasters’ four hits were by four different players — Buche, Drew Rainwater, Travis Iverson and Kevin Warren. Kale Forrester pitched the first six innings, striking out seven while giving up six runs on five hits.
“Forrester pitched better than his numbers showed,” Morales said. “All the credit in the world goes to their guy, Hood-Taylor. He kept us off-balance, guessing, and we just didn’t string any hits together. We had some chances early, didn’t take advantage, he gained some confidence and cut us up the rest of the way.”
Tuesday’s Game
Withnell Dodge 8, Three Rivers 0
Three Rivers 000 000 000 — 0 4 2
Withnell 010 113 11x — 8 11 0
Kale Forrester, Trevor Roberts (7), Willie Grader (8) and Ethan Ottemiller; Hood-Taylor and Varay. 2B—TR: Drew Rainwater; Wit: Miles, Miller.
Wednesday’s Game
Three Rivers 11, Salem Post 9 10
Salem 501 310 000 — 10 9 3
Three Rivers 002 031 401 — 11 14 4
Fahey, Bucheit (6) and Walworth; Chase Meister, Scott Buche (5) and Ethan Ottemiller. 2B—Sal: Kirschner, Keeker; TR: Tyler Mais, Alex Clark 2. 3B—TR: Mais 2. HR—TR: Buche.
The run in the final inning completed a rally from a 10-2 deficit as Three Rivers improved to 6-6 in league play with three games remaining. The Sandblasters visit Albany on Friday, host Withnell Dodge of Salem on Saturday and visit Springfield on Monday.
Withnell Dodge beat the Sandblasters 8-0 on Tuesday.
Through Wednesday’s games, Corvallis is in first place at 7-4, just in front of Withnell Dodge (6-4). Post 9 is 6-5 and alone in third place. Three Rivers is 6-6 and Springfield is 5-6. The top four teams advance to the league playoffs.
Scott Buche had a huge game for Three Rivers on Wednesday, both on the field and in the dugout.
He started the rally with a three-run home run in the fifth inning, had the game-winning single with two outs in the ninth inning and added two other hits for a total of five RBIs.
Buche also pitched five innings in relief of Chase Meister, allowing just two hits and one run and striking out eight batters.
“Scott Buche had a game I am sure he will remember forever,” said Three Rivers coach Alex Morales. “Obviously, he did a good job on the field, but his energy in the dugout, especially when we were down early, is what really kept us from getting too down and staying in it.”
Tyler Mais had two triples and a double and also reached base with a walk and was hit by a pitch. He drove in two runs and scored the game-winner.
Alex Clark went 2-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and three runs scored.
Chad Fahey and Matt Kirscher each had three hits for Post 9.
Wednesday’s offensive outburst, which included 14 hits, was a sharp contrast to Tuesday, when Three Rivers managed just four hits and no runs against Ryan Hood-Taylor of Withnell Dodge.
The Sandblasters’ four hits were by four different players — Buche, Drew Rainwater, Travis Iverson and Kevin Warren. Kale Forrester pitched the first six innings, striking out seven while giving up six runs on five hits.
“Forrester pitched better than his numbers showed,” Morales said. “All the credit in the world goes to their guy, Hood-Taylor. He kept us off-balance, guessing, and we just didn’t string any hits together. We had some chances early, didn’t take advantage, he gained some confidence and cut us up the rest of the way.”
Tuesday’s Game
Withnell Dodge 8, Three Rivers 0
Three Rivers 000 000 000 — 0 4 2
Withnell 010 113 11x — 8 11 0
Kale Forrester, Trevor Roberts (7), Willie Grader (8) and Ethan Ottemiller; Hood-Taylor and Varay. 2B—TR: Drew Rainwater; Wit: Miles, Miller.
Wednesday’s Game
Three Rivers 11, Salem Post 9 10
Salem 501 310 000 — 10 9 3
Three Rivers 002 031 401 — 11 14 4
Fahey, Bucheit (6) and Walworth; Chase Meister, Scott Buche (5) and Ethan Ottemiller. 2B—Sal: Kirschner, Keeker; TR: Tyler Mais, Alex Clark 2. 3B—TR: Mais 2. HR—TR: Buche.
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