Southwest Florida Christian Cruises To 3A-6 Victory Over First Baptist

3A-6 foes squared-off Friday night when the Southwest Florida Christian Kings hosted the First Baptist Lions. After a slow start, the Kings scored runs in each of the final four innings, including a five-run fifth inning, en route to a 10-0 district victory over the Lions.

The Kings (2-3, 2-2) got on the board for the first time in the bottom of the third inning on a RBI double from Mike Gerwitz that scored Chase Reed from second. A two-RBI single to center from Conner Buck extended the lead to three the next inning. Buck and Gerwitz led the way on offense for the Kings. They combined to go 3-for-6 with three RBIs and one run on the night. Patrick Doerstling, Max Rippl and Nathan Cochran all scored two runs apiece.

Along with the run scored by Gerwitz, a run each was scored by Noah Sheffield, Alex Garcia and Chase Reed. The Kings also did damage on the base paths with four stolen bases on the night.

Kyle Batiato and Michael Ritter collected the only two hits for the Lions (1-3, 1-3) who only managed to have five base runners all night. Jake Pure and Drake Woods were both walked once and each stole a base. Pure was also hit by a pitch to reach base in the fourth. Woods, Ritter and Pure also combined to strikeout seven batters on just six hits.

That was not nearly enough to break through against Kings’ starter Max Rippl, who needed just one run from his offense to earn the victory. Rippl went the distance, allowing no runs on two hits and three walks, while striking out 14 of the 19 batters he faced on the evening. The two hits and one of the three walks came in the first inning. Rippl was dominate the rest of the way, including four 1-2-3 innings, two of which he struck out the side.

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