Plains-Hot Springs baseball co-op notch first victory

Not to be outdone by the counterparts on the Trotters, the young Plains-Hot Springs baseball co-op (Savage Horsemen) won their first game of the season last week in a big way.

The Trotters picked up their first win last week, an 18-16 win in a slugfest of a game.  The Horsemen did likewise, traveling to Browning and exploding for a season high 19 runs in a 19-4 win for their first victory of the season. 

Earlier in the week, Plains lost 21-0 to Western conference foe Eureka. 

So, when the Horsemen erupted for 13 runs in the third inning at Browning, it could be described as a hint of the talent they have and taking it out on an unsuspecting opponent. 

Plains got on the scoreboard first, with a single run in the top of the first inning.  However, the Indians put up two runs in their half of the first, giving them a one-run advantage. 

Both teams scored a run each in the second inning and headed into the top of the third with Browning in front 3-2. 

Then, talent, pent-up frustration from the early half of the season and other factors erupted among the Horsemen players and coaches, lighting up the scoreboard for a baker’s dozen runs in the top of the third. 

In their offensive outburst, the Horsemen used six walks by Browning pitchers sandwiched around some timely hits to touch home plate 13 times. The big blow during the inning was a three-run triple by Beau Crabb and another three-RBI hit, a single, to drive in three more runs. 

No doubt staggered by the offensive fireworks, Browning managed to plate a single run in the bottom of the third.  But momentum and the desire to win helped the Horsemen score four more runs in the top of the fourth. 

When Browning failed to score in the bottom of the fourth, the Mercy rule (10+ runs) put an end to the game. 

Plains outhit the Indians 9-2 for the game, with one of the Browning hits being a home run. 

Crabb went 2-2 at the plate for Plains with a pair of RBIs.  Senior teammate Wyatt Butcher was 2-2 with four runs driven in, including an inside-the-park that accounted for two Horsemen runs in the top of the fourth. 

Jackson Lucier had a triple for the Horsemen, while one of Butcher’s hits was a double. 

In their game earlier in the week (Thursday), the visiting Lions from Eureka got out to a 5-0 lead on the Horsemen after the top half of the first inning.  Plains was unable to score in the bottom of the first and Eureka extended their lead with four more runs in the top of the second. 

Plains, which was held hitless in the game, surrendered 12 runs in the top of the third frame, creating a 21-0 lead and causing the game to be called after three innings due to the Mercy rule. 

Three Eureka players had three hits and drove in three runs for the victors. 

Next up for Plains-Hot Springs is today (April 22) in Plains when they host Sanders County rival Thompson Falls-Noxon, which is looking for its first win of the year. 

    Plains infielders Jackson Lucier and Mathew Thursday chase a foul ball during their game versus Eureka this week in Plains. (Tracy Scott, Valley Press)