A Rivalry Game to Remember - By Brooklyn Butler

On March 28th, a hard-fought baseball game between the Richland Bombers and Kennewick Lions kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final out. The game, marked by strong pitching performances, strategic decisions, and explosive hits, ended with the Bombers coming out on top, 8-7.

Photo: @steinflics

During the first inning, both teams were just warming up and feeling out the game, with neither side able to gain much momentum. For the Bombers, Parrott had a solid at-bat to start the game, forcing the pitcher to throw 10 pitches before striking out, but two additional outs led to an uneventful top of first. On the other side, with the Lions now at bat, a well-timed hit from Mamiya put him on second base. As the inning progressed, Kennewick took advantage of a ground ball from Teagle that brought in Mamiya for a run. The first inning ended with the Lions having a 1-0 lead.

The Bombers were quick to respond in the second inning. Galloway’s impressive hit off the fence allowed him to get to second. With Elfring running for Galloway, he was able to score after Brannon hit a single. A solid shot from Woodard into the gap allowed Brannon to advance to second, and an error by the catcher allowed them to both move up another base, but the next two at bat were unsuccessful. In the bottom half, the Bombers’ pitching was on display as Edwards took out all three at bat. The Lions were unable to get any players on base, and with three quick outs, the game was now tied 1-1.

The big moment of the game came in the 6th inning, when Michael Revell made his presence known at the plate. With the game tied at 3-3, Revell launched a powerful home run that energized the Bombers and gave them a crucial lead. Revell’s excitement was unexplainable after the hit, and he spoke about the rush of hitting a home run in such a high-stakes game.

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"I felt a huge rush of excitement because with a rivalry game like that, huge hits are extremely valuable, and it kinda just pushed us over the hump for the rest of the game," Revell said. "Everyone did a really good job of keeping the mood high and picking each other up for the rest of the game."

Revell’s home run was the spark the Bombers needed. Galloway followed with another hit off the fence, putting Elfring in to run for him, and Brannon added a pop fly to move Elfring around the bases. The Bombers loaded the bases, capitalizing on a catcher’s interference that allowed Cooper to walk, and as the inning wore on, Parrott hit a ground ball that allowed Cooper and Mackey to score, pushing the Bombers’ lead to 7-3.

Despite Richland’s strong lead, the Lions weren't ready to give up. In the bottom of the 7th, Kennewick mounted an impressive comeback. The Bombers made a pitching change, bringing in Revell, but the Lions capitalized on a series of walks and hits that loaded the bases, and McClure took a hit to the head that allowed him to walk and pushed in a run. Taylor delivered a hard hit, bringing in two more runs. Owen followed with another hit, adding one more run to the Lions' total, tying the game 7-7.

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With the score tied and the game now in extra innings, the Bombers knew they had to dig deep to secure the victory. Thankfully, the Bombers were able to regain their edge. A ground ball from Woodard, a walk from Castro, and a key hit from Upmeyer led to a run being scored, giving the Bombers an 8-7 lead. With Thompson now pitching for the Bombers, the Lions were unable to capitalize on their momentum. The Bombers' defense tightened, and Thompson closed out the game with a flawless three outs.

When reflecting on the week’s strategy, Head Coach Grant Richardson discussed how managing pitch counts played a pivotal role in his decision-making. "With the pitch count rule, there's a lot of strategy that goes into these decisions. We always focus on the first game but have the other games in our mind," Richardson explained. "We’re ready to do whatever we can to win the game right now and then figure out a way to win the second game."

This game was a perfect example of strategic thinking in action. From the early pitching changes to the timely hits, the Bombers’ ability to adjust and keep pushing forward was crucial to their success.

The 8-7 win over the Kennewick Lions was a hard-fought victory that showed the Bombers' resilience and ability to stay calm under pressure. With the team’s young pitchers getting valuable experience and key players stepping up at the plate, the Bombers are in a strong position as they continue their season.