Lions Win Late Against Bombers - By Ukiah Jones
Heading into the first game of the MCC schedule, the Richland Bombers were set to face the well-known Kennewick Lions. The Bombers hoped to bounce back after a tough loss Saturday to Mercer Island, where they lost 12-4. Losing put a sour taste in their mouths, and this game was a true test of their ability to counter adversity.
Starting off on the bump for the Green and Gold was lefty Dallas Bennett, and across the way, he would be squaring off with righty Leyton Lind. Bennett kicking off his junior season and was looking very promising. Dallas got through the first inning allowing only one hit to the lions. The Bombers looking for a hot start were silenced, not reaching base. Bennett continued dealing on the rubber with a 10-pitch inning, not throwing a single ball outside the Zone. Chris Daniels started off the Bombers, getting on first after an infield error by the Lions. Following Daniels, Charlie Johns hit a single by the first basemen's glove putting runners on first and second. With zero outs, Lind threw a wild ball in the dirt advancing the runners to second and third. With a 3-2 count, John Corbin drove a hard-hit ball to the shortstop, who made a backhanded play getting him by a step at first. Although Corbin was out, he ruled a sacrifice scoring Daniels in giving Richland a 1-0 lead.
Followed by another zero-run inning by Bennett, Trey bush led off with a 3-2 walk. Rayce Reeves then laid a bunt down the first baseline straight to the first baseman. Reeves speed showed out as he made it down the line, diving head-first under the tag. Richland with a familiar setting with runners on first and second with no outs. Jase Vopalensky squared up but ended up hitting the ball off of himself in fair territory, causing an out. The bats for both sides stayed quiet for both teams until Bennett hit batter Dylan Mamiya. Up next was Lind, who was looking to help himself out. Leyton hit a shallow fly just over first basemen Charlie Johns head allowing Mamiya to reach third. The Bombers had two outs with runners on first and third, and Dallas threw a breaking ball and left the batter looking at strike three.
The Green and Gold went into the bottom of the fifth with a not-so-comfortable one-run lead. John Simons led off, hit by a pitch getting a free 90 feet to first base. Trey Bush executed a perfect sacrifice bunt allowing Simons to reach second. Once again, Reeves hit a fly ball to left field, which dropped. John was getting the go from Coach Moody, the third base coach. The Bombers took the lead now, 2-0. Up next was Vopalensky, who hit a hard ground ball to the shortstop Dane Chavez who tried to make a throw and cut reeves off, but it was bobbled by the third baseman giving the green and gold runners on first and second with one out. Kooper Jones, shortly after, grounded into a routine 6-4-3 double play ending the inning for the Bombers. Bennett continued his rampage once again, allowing zero runs in the sixth.
Richland had the bases loaded with one out when the Lions were again bailed out with another double play. This would send the Lions to their last chance. They started off the inning with bases loaded. Lind would hit a hard ground ball too short, where Vopalensky made a diving play, only allowing one run. This would be Bennett's last batter on a very well-pitched night. Coming in from the bullpen, the Bombers brought out senior Drew Johnson. Johnson would hit McClure sending in the game-tying run. With one out, Simeon Howard hit a single between the first and second baseman scoring two for the lions. This would be their last run scored of the night. Ambrose Driver would come in to close out the night on the Mound. The first two batters were retired. Vopalensky showed a sense of fighting with a double giving the bombers a chance. Kooper Jones stepped in the box and popped out to the shortstop, falling short of victory.
After tonight's loss to the lions 2-4, the Bombers move forward on the season with a record of 4-2. The two teams will again battle at Roy Johnson Field in Kennewick next Tuesday.
