RMS clips Florence

By Staff
Golden Tigers' Robison drives in game-winning run
Kim West
The Russellville Middle School baseball team improved to .500 as the Golden Tigers swept Florence Middle School in a doubleheader at the Lee Complex Monday evening.
In the opener, eighth grader Grant Hagedorn went 2-for-3 and struck out five hitters as Russellville overwhelmed Florence 9-1.
Blake Hyde, Logan Ezzell, Jordan Gist also added hits for the Golden Tigers.
In the nightcap, seventh grader Caleb Robison drove in the game-winning run in extra innings to beat Florence 2-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, Chase Fretwell singled to centerfield and moved to third on two steals, while Jordan Gist drew a walk and advanced to second to put runners at second and third for Robison, who delivered an RBI single to score Fretwell.
Florence took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Golden Tigers responded in the bottom of the fifth. Grant Hagedorn opened the inning with a single and then stole second and third base. Fretwell, who went 2-for-3, hit an RBI single to score Hagedorn and tie the game at 1-1.
Jacob Seal and Jake Todd combined for the victory with eight strikeouts. Todd came on in relief in the top of the fourth with the bases loaded and no outs and retired three straight batters with two strikeouts and a pop-up to first base. J.T. Watkins also went 2-for-3 for RMS (5-5).
RMS will host Deshler Thursday at 4 p.m.