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South Bend Riley’s Hunter Knapp slides under Triton catcher Grant Stichter to score a run during Riley’s 13-0 win at Triton Wednesday afternoon. (Photos by Mike Deak)
BOURBON – South Bend Riley’s baseball team looked like it had been playing all spring while Triton looked every bit the rookie in Wednesday’s matchup. Trevor Creager and Josh Thomas combined on a perfect game, baffling Triton in a 13-0 final in five innings.
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South Bend Riley’s Josh Thomas is greeted at home plate by his teammates after homering against Triton.
Triton put just four balls into play the entire game, fanning 11 times in total while Riley pounded the ball all over Ken Keller Field. Creager worked three innings, striking out six and Thomas pitched the final two innings, striking out five. Neither hurler gave up a walk and only one Triton batted ball reached the outfield.
The Wildcats (1-0) wasted little time getting on the board, plating a run in the first, then exploded for six runs in the second inning. Highlighted in the second inning outburst was a three-run homer by Thomas. Hunter Knapp later added a three-run double in the fifth as Riley proved to have too much muscle for Triton in its first game of the season.
“The crazy spring we have had, this was like a scrimmage for us,” stated Triton head coach Rodney Younis. “Obviously, South Bend Riley hit the ball well and earned their shots.”
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Triton pitcher Cole Creighbaum delivers to South Bend Riley Wednesday afternoon.
Triton starting pitcher Cole Creighbaum didn’t make it out of the third inning, giving up seven earned runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out two. Riley collected six more hits off reliever Ben Perkins to build its 13-hit attack. The Wildcats had four extra base hits, led by Knapp’s two doubles and a triple from Bryce Wielzorek.
Jeremiah Easterbrook scored three times while Zack Overton and Tyler Schweiss each scored a pair of runs.
“We flat out just didn’t hit the ball,” Younis said. “I think we are going to be a good hitting team. I can’t put my finger on it. It was just the first game and maybe some jitters for the kids. Obviously, when you get down, you start to question some things within yourself mentally. This is a mental sport and you have to fight through those situations.”
Triton (0-1) will not have any time to dwell on the past as the Trojans host Oregon-Davis Thursday afternoon, a 5 p.m. first pitch.
“Every day we want to get better,” Younis said. “Like I told them, we are going to put this behind us and move forward. Get back to playing good, fundamental baseball.”
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Triton’s Jayden Hargrave takes a cut against South Bend Riley Wednesday afternoon.
