Conquering Riders bounce back with big win over Blue Ridge after tough loss to Casey-Westfield
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ACS Conquering Riders rebounded in impressive fashion Wednesday, cruising to a 12-2 victory over Blue Ridge Knights after a difficult start to the week.
The Conquering Riders wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to an early lead in the first inning. Ian Herschberger drove in a run on a groundout before Joe Theriault followed with a solo home run to left field to make it 2-0.
ACS continued to build momentum in the second, stringing together a series of timely hits. Ivan Yoder singled to center, Cameron Chupp doubled, Tyler Gingerich added a single to right, and Cody Kuhns drove in another run with a groundout as the Riders pushed their advantage further.
The offense stayed hot in the third inning, with Chupp and Kuhns delivering extra-base hits to extend the lead and put the game out of reach early.
Grant Helmuth earned the win on the mound, going five innings while allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked two in a steady outing. Blue Ridge starter Preston Jiles took the loss after surrendering five runs on five hits in just one inning of work.
ACS racked up 12 hits in the game, led by Kuhns and Chupp with three hits each. Kuhns went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs, while Theriault added two hits in a perfect day at the plate. The Riders were also sharp defensively, committing no errors, with Gingerich recording a team-high seven chances in the field.
Earlier in the week, the Conquering Riders struggled to keep pace with Casey-Westfield Warriors in a 10-0 loss last Monday.
Casey-Westfield struck early, scoring in the first inning after Jackson High was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Warriors broke the game open in the second, plating five runs on just two hits, highlighted by run-scoring singles from Chase Whaley and Tyler Volk.
Volk earned the win for Casey-Westfield, tossing five shutout innings while allowing four hits and striking out six. Ian Herschberger took the loss for the Conquering Riders, giving up six runs (four earned) over two innings.
Despite the loss, ACS managed hits from Herschberger, Theriault, Grayson Schrock, and Helmuth, and turned a double play defensively.
The split week showcased the Conquering Riders’ ability to respond, as they bounced back from a tough loss with a dominant performance fueled by a balanced offense and solid pitching.
They faced the Arcola Purple Riders on 4/21, @ home vs. Cornerstone 4/27, and @ home vs. Paris 4/28.