Richland Stays Cool Under Pressure, Win 4-3 - By Brooklyn Butler

The second game of the March 28th doubleheader between the Richland Bombers and the Kennewick Lions was anything but ordinary. As a bitter rivalry unfolded at Kennewick's home field, tensions between the teams escalated, with the Lions' aggressive play and sharp comments only fueling the intensity of the game. But through it all, the Bombers kept their composure, overcoming adversity to secure a 4-3 victory. 

Photo: @steinflics

At the top of the first, the Bombers got off to a slow start with two outs before Carter reached first base and Revell hit a single, but a groundout from Galloway ended the inning without a run. Schock faced the Lions in the bottom of the first and quickly shut them down with two groundouts. Driver managed to get on base with a hit, but Schock was able to strike out Mamiya to end the inning, and the game remained at 0-0.

The second inning was a turning point, with the Lions seizing an early advantage. After a walk to Woodard, Parrot struck out, and Castro was out at first while Woodard advanced to second. Upmeyer hit a line drive that brought Woodard home, giving the Bombers a 1-0 lead. However, in the bottom of the second, the Lions responded. Teagle’s hit was followed by a single by McClure, and after a sacrifice and a walk to Chavez, the Teagle and McClure both crossed home plate, pushing the Lions ahead 2-1.

As the game wore on, the tension grew. In the top of the third, Galloway kept his head in the game despite some sharp words from the Lions’ dugout. “We kept it together and focused on our own team, not playing down to their level,” said Galloway, the Bombers' starting catcher. This attitude of staying above the fray was key to the Bombers' ability to keep their cool amidst the rising pressure.

Photo: @steinflics

In the third inning, the game took a dramatic turn as tempers flared. After a questionable out call on Teagle, while attempting to get to first, Kennewick’s coach was tossed from the game for yelling at the umpire. Kennewick fans in the stands began to taunt the umpire, yelling phrases such as, “You’re soft.” McClure then struck out, and Galloway caught a pop foul ball from Taylor. Deep in frustration, Kennewick’s dugout yells vulgar language at Galloway and the umpire put distance between the players. The Lions keep up this hostile energy in the top of fourth, making fun of Elfring as he attempts to sneak to second. The tension boiled over when Mattson, a Kennewick player, was ejected from the game for using vulgar language while on first base. As the crowd continued to jeer, the umpire walked out of the game, and it was temporarily postponed for 30 minutes while the coaches called around for a new umpire.

Despite the delay, the Bombers remained composed, knowing that the best way to shut down the Lions was to play smart, focused baseball. Head Coach Grant Richardson acknowledged the tension, but he was proud of how his team responded to the adversity. "It was good baseball, and our guys handled it well. It’s always a battle against Kennewick, but we did a pretty good job of staying above it and playing our game."

In the fifth inning Richland’s offense made a crucial comeback. They were able to load the bases but the Lions’ pitching and batting held steady, ending the fifth inning with the Bombers trailing behind 3-1.

Photo: @steinflics

In the top of the sixth, the Bombers exploded for three runs to take the lead. Upmeyer and Revell reached base after singles, and Galloway followed with a line drive that brought Upmeyer home. Brannon added another hit, and Edwards followed with a fly ball that allowed both Revell and Galloway to score, giving the Bombers a 4-3 lead. From there, the Bombers’ defense and pitching held strong, closing the game with a quick three outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Throughout the game, the Bombers remained unfazed by the Lions’ antics. Their ability to stay calm under pressure was a testament to their maturity and focus. In the post-game interview, Coach Richardson highlighted the importance of keeping a level head in rivalry games: "The biggest thing I want for these guys is to play their own game, not the other teams’."

It was clear that the Bombers had not only outplayed the Lions but had also maintained their composure in the face of heightened tensions. Galloway summed it up perfectly: "We kept it together and focused on our own team, not playing down to their level."

The Richland Bombers’ 4-3 victory over the Kennewick Lions was a gritty and determined performance, one that showcased the Bombers’ ability to rise above the chaos of rivalry games. With the victory, the Bombers solidified their place at the top of the rivalry and proved that they can keep their cool, no matter how heated the competition becomes.