RIVERTON — Riverton's baseball team had seven innings to overcome an early four-run deficit against Weber in 5A playoff action Tuesday afternoon. As it turns out they only really needed four, defeating the Warriors 9-6.
Riverton starting pitcher Devin Deweerdt gave up four runs on three hits in the top of the first inning before some Silverwolf hitting and a bases-loaded balk lessened Weber's lead to 4-3.
"Those runs helped us calm down," said Riverton head coach Jay Applegate. "It showed our guys we could score on them."
Riverton tied the game in the bottom half of the second on Nathan Slaymaker's two-out RBI single. Slaymaker singled three times and was hit by a pitch in his four plate appearances.
"Nate is one of the toughest competitors on our team," Applegate said of his shortstop standout. "When they made the mold of a baseball player, they used Nate."
Riverton broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning. Left-handed reliever Kody Olson, who recorded the final two outs in the top of the fourth, led off the bottom half with a triple. Scott Shipley brought Olson home with the next at bat, and two more runs followed before a Weber pitching change ended the inning. Riverton led 8-5 and never trailed again.
Olson's triple and subsequent pitching, including three strikeouts, allowed the southpaw to pick up the win.
"I thought Kody Olson came in and put the clamps on them," Applegate said.
The game showcased some sloppy defense from the beginning. The teams combined for a total of seven errors on the day, included a myriad of passed balls at home base, dropped pop-ups and botched pickoff attempts.
"Our kids were trying to go too fast," Applegate said.
Riverton will play Layton tomorrow as playoff action continues.
"When you get into tournament format, it's going to be a dog fight," said Riverton's head coach of the schedule ahead. "Anybody can beat anybody on any given day."