Knights' teamwork wins games

The Green River Knights hosted conference games against the Evanston Outlaws on July 5. Green River hit their home field hard, scoring six runs in the first inning. Evanston also scored six runs, keeping the scoreboard tied. The next two innings, neither team was able to score a run, keeping the game tied at 6-6. In the fourth inning, Green River pulled ahead, scoring three more runs. Entering the fifth inning, Evanston pulled ahead, scoring seven runs to Green River's two runs. It was another tough inning in the sixth, with neither team scoring. In the last inning, Green River scored three runs, winning the game with a final score of 14-13.

Leading the team against Evanston were Lander Welch with four runs, Chris Reinig with three runs and Ashton Eldredge and Jace Paoli with two runs each. Welch, Reinig and Brackin Lail each had multiple hits during the game, with Welch leading the Knights with hits. Chris Reinig started the game pitching the first inning, allowing one hit and six runs. Karson Hanson, Dallyn Bushelman and Ashton Eldredge pitched the rest of the game. Hanson pitched a great game, allowing only one hit and zero runs.

During the second game, Green River played tough offense in the first inning and scored five runs with Evanston unable to bring in a run. The next four innings were tough for Green River and they were unable to score. Evanston scored two runs in the second inning and one run in both the third and fourth inning. There were no runs for either team in the fifth inning, and in the sixth Evanston scored two runs and Green River scored one run, bringing the score to 6-6. Green River was unable to snag the victory as Evanston scored the winning run on an error.

Leading the team were Paoli with two runs and Q Liebelt, Ben Lail, Welch and Bushelman with one run each. Paoli, Liebelt and Welch lead the team with multiple hits for the Knights during the game. Brackin Lail started the game pitching, allowing six hits and six runs. Q Liebelt also pitched, allowing three hits, striking out one and no walks.

"I think they played really good," said Head Coach Ben Lail. "Conference games are always really tough. We had great all-around pitching performances and everyone swung the bat really well."

The Knights traveled to Douglas on Saturday to play the Buffalo Bulls. Green River started off the game with two rough innings and no runs on the board. Buffalo scored no runs in the first and three runs in the second inning. Green River turned up the heat and got in the game as they scored four runs in the third inning and the kept Buffalo from scoring any more runs. It was a great fourth inning for Green River as they scored five more runs and Buffalo scored two runs. Green River continued to score two more runs in the fifth inning, winning the game with a final score of 11-5.

Leading the team were Ben Lail and Reinig with three runs each. Reinig brought in three runs on a grand slam during the third inning and a double in the fifth inning. Kamden Liebelt started pitching the game, allowing zero hits and three runs while striking two players out. Welch took over and helped earn the victory, allowing three hits and two runs while striking two players out.

"We started out slow but came out in the third inning," explained Coach Lail. "We had great pitching performances from Liebelt and Welch. Chris Reinig hit a grand slam to take the lead and it was a good day for us."

The next game of the day for the Knights was against the Douglas Cats. It was a low-scoring game as Green River scored one run in the first inning and Douglas was held to zero. The second inning, Douglas scored one run and Green River was unable to bring a runner home. The next three innings, neither team was able to score and the scoreboard was still tied 1-1. Green River scored three runs in the sixth inning, and with neither team scoring in the seventh inning the Knights won the game with a final score of 4-1.

Skyler Lee lead the team to victory as he pitched seven innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out seven players and walking one. Leading the team in runs were Q Liebelt, Reinig, Welch and Bushelman with one run each.

"Douglas was a phenomenal game and a great team win," said Coach Lail. "Skyler Lee was dominant on the pitcher's mound, pitching 83 pitches in seven innings and you don't see that very often."

On Sunday, the Knights played the Torrington Tigers. Green River was unable to get on the board until the sixth inning, with one run from Reinig. Torrington dominated the game and won with a final score of 7-1.

Jace Paoli lead the team in hits, batting 2-for-3 at the plate. Reinig pitched the beginning of the game, allowing one hit and four runs. Q Liebelt and Bushelman also pitched during the game as relief.

The Knights will play more conference games this week against Evanston and Rawlins.