On an afternoon where there were thunderstorms just a few miles to the north, the Victory Christian Academy Lions edged out the Covenant Christian Knights 9-8 under relatively calm skies.
Luke Schrader took the hill for the Lions (7-5) and pitched four solid innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on seven hits while striking out three. Calvin Reisinger (4-0) picked up the win for the Lions, holding the Knights to three runs, two earned in the final three frames.
Calvin Reisinger set the tone early by sending a deep drive to left center for a lead off triple in the first inning as the Lions scored single runs in each of the first four innings. The Knights were able to answer, by tallying a single run in the first and two runs each in the third and fourth innings to take a 5-4 lead. The Lions threatened to break things open several times early, striking the ball well, but solid defense by the Knights limited the damage the Lions would inflict.
In the top of the fifth, the Lions would push two more across the plate on singles by Peter Guess and Evan Longhi and a line shot off of the bat of Jon Walker that was misplayed by the Knights' left fielder to take a 6-5 lead. Again, the Knights were able to answer, scoring two runs in their half of the inning without recording a single hit leaving the score after five innings at 7-6 Knights.
In the sixth, Adam Lange led off getting hit by the pitcher. Justing Reisinger singled and Peter Guess reached first safely on an error allowing Lange to score. Evan Longhi then blooped a single into left field scoring Reisinger and Guess. The Knights would threaten in the sixth, but with two outs and two runners on, Evan Duey would make a diving catch in right field to end the threat. The Lions' lead was 9-7.
The Knights would score one more run in the seventh, making the final 9-8 Lions.
Evan Longhi had three hits and three RBIs. Calvin Reisinger, Justin Reisinger and Peter Guess all had three hits and Peter Guess and Jon Walker scored three and two runs respectively for the Lions.
The Lions play next Monday night against Bowman Academy in a game rescheduled from a rainout earlier in the year.