The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS – Ryan Plecker and Michael Criser did a little of everything here Friday.
The duo combined to go 6-for-8 at the plate, score four runs, drive in seven and steal seven bases as Bath County picked up their first Pioneer District baseball win of the year, a 9-7 decision over Craig County.
From his leadoff spot in the Charger order, Plecker went 3-for-4, stole five bases, drove in two and scored four runs, while Criser, the two-hole hitter, was 3-for-4, stole two bags and drove in five.
“They got on the base and did what they had to do,” said BC coach Kris Phillips, whose team moved to 4-10 on the season, 1-3 in the Pioneer.
“Both of those guys have played enough baseball that we expect that from them,” he added. “Both of them are good players.”
Tied at 6-all, a 3-run Bath fifth was the difference in the game.
And fittingly it was Plecker and Criser that rapped two-out hits in the inning.
After Craig had turned Ray Miller’s bullet to short into a double play, Plecker legged out an RBI infield hit and Criser scored two more with a single to right.
The runs were enough for reliever Cody Plecker, who came on for Criser in the fifth.
The two gave up five earned runs and struck out six.
“They gave us a chance to win,” said Phillips. “Criser had pitched one inning all year until today.”
Jonah Ford added two hits, scored a run and drove in another for the Chargers, while Chris Nichols was 1-for-2, walked twice and stole a pair of bases.
In all, Bath swiped 10 bases on the evening.
“We thought we could run a little on them,” Phillips said.
Cody Dunbar had a 3-for-3 day for Craig County (1-4 Pioneer District, 3-12 overall), while Hunter Jewell and Derek Persinger both had a hit and two RBI.
The win was a big one for the Chargers, who finish the regular season with four games against fellow Pioneer District Division 1 teams.
Bath entered the week 10th in the Region C, Division 1 standings. Only the top six advance to regional play.
“We have to be able to beat the D-1 teams we play,” said Phillips. “If we don’t win those games, we don’t deserve to be in the regionals.”
The Chargers entertain Cov-ington, who sets on top of the Division 1 point ratings, Tuesday. While Phillips was already thinking about the area match-up, he was savoring the Friday victory.
“We needed a win in the worse way today,” he added. “It makes the grass a little greener, the air a little cleaner and everything a little nicer.”
