Raiders claim early lead in conference play with win over Knights

By DONN ADAMSON\Daily Journal Sports Editor

FARMINGTON - With the MAAA Large-School teams only playing one round of conference games, Friday's North County Raiders and Farmington Knights opener could have great ramifications on the conference's outcome. North County gained the advantage with a 10-3 win over the Knights and taking the lead in the conference standings at 1-0.

“Anytime you can beat Farmington on their own field, that's a big win,” said North County coach Kyle Yount. “Especially with the conference only playing one round of game.”

The game was actually close through the first six innings, but the Raiders, who had only relinquished the lead once in the third inning, collected a five-run gift from the Knights in the seventh inning.

The Raiders, who outhit the Knights 10-3, received 10 free passes to first base from Farmington's pitchers by walks or hit batsmen. Five of those walks along with three wild pitches contributed to North County's five runs in the seventh.

North County had the game pretty much in hand before the seventh, scoring runs in four of the first six innings, but the credit really goes to North County's pitchers, starter Josh Jaco who got the win and reliever Tyler Beers.

Both teams lead -off hitters in the game scored in the first inning. North County would retake the lead in the top of the second, but in the bottom of the fourth the Knights threatened to break the 2-1 game wide open. Eric Koppeis and Matt Usherwood started the inning with singles, and both players moved into scoring position with separate stolen bases.

It looked to be the start of a big rally, but Jaco put a halt to it by striking out the next two batters. Farmington would collect the two runs and their only lead on a huge hit by Lucas Vogelsang, but Jaco got the next batter to ground out to end the inning. It would be the last time the Knights would have two runners on base in the same inning.

“This was a big win for Josh (Jaco),” said Coach Yount. “He hasn't pitched that many varsity games before this year, and for him to pitch the way he has, it's been great for us.” The Raiders have two wins on the new season and Jaco has pitched both wins.

The Raiders came right back to regain the lead in the top of the fifth. Brian Howard and C.J. Peterson both singled, and both scored in the inning, getting a free pass home on bases-loaded walks and a hit batsmen. North County could have done more damage, but a deep fly ball to centerfield was hauled in by Usherwood, leaving the bases full.

Beers took the mound after two outs in the fifth, promptly getting the third out for the Raiders. Farmington would get their first batter on base in each of the sixth and seventh innings, but both runners would be left stranded at third base.

Both teams will be in action on Saturday with Farmington hosting Jackson and North County traveling to Jefferson City to play Helias.

North County 110 021 5 - 10 10 1

Farmington 100 200 0 - 3 3 1

Hitting:

North County - Jaco 3, Peterson 3, Howard, Harris, Moses, Hulsey.

Farmington - Koppeis, Usherwood, Vogelsang.

2b. Jaco.

Pitching: WP- Jaco 4 2/3i 3r 3h 5k 4bb 1hb, Beers 2 1/3i 0r 0h 1k 2bb. LP- Baxley 4 1/3i 4r 7h 2k 2bb 2hb, Boyer 2 1/3i 6r 3h 1k 6bb 1hb. McDaniel 1/3i 1k 1bb.