PARK HILLS – Three Rivers went into Saturday down 2-0 in the four-game series against Mineral Area and were swept by the Cardinals 6-5 (11 innings) and 14-5 in the nightcap.

The Raiders took a 4-3 lead in the seventh as they scored three runs first on a passed ball and a two-run double by Brett Harris. Later in the inning, Harris tried to score on a grounder to the shortstop but was tagged out on a throw to the plate.

The Cardinals tied up the game in the home half of the seventh and each team scored a run in the eight to tie it up at 5-all. Mineral Area was able to walk it off in the 11th inning on a balk call assessed to Three Rivers reliever Briar Fischer with runners on the corners.

In the second game of the day, the Raiders held a 5-2 lead going into the bottom of the fourth, but Mineral Area was able to score six runs when they came to bat in the inning and scored three runs in the fifth and sixth innings while holding the Raiders scoreless.

Hunter Gray went 1-for-3 with two RBIs in the second game for Three Rivers.

The Raiders have no games scheduled as of Monday afternoon before the Sub-Regional on May 5. Three Rivers is currently .500 overall at 25-25 and have fallen to 8-9 against Region XVI opponents. The Raiders now sit in fifth in the region standings as Mineral Area jumped up to second behind Crowder followed by Jefferson in third and Metropolitan in fourth.

On Friday, the Cardinals swept the Raiders winning 9-0 and 9-7. Mineral Area (23-15, 12-4 XVI) was held scoreless in the first three innings by the Raiders starting pitcher, Noah Burkey. But the Cardinals scored six runs in the fifth. The Raider bats were more lively in the second game when only two of Three Rivers' starting nine went hitless for the game. Cade Cincilla recorded a 3-for-5 game with a couple of RBIs. Kolten Poorman and Logan McIntyre also recorded a pair of RBIs.

The Raiders had a 4-1 lead going into the sixth, but Mineral Area rattled off seven runs in the top half of the inning. After Three Rivers responded with a run in the seventh, Mineral Area put up one more run in the eighth. The Raiders tried to stage a rally in the home-half of the eighth scoring two runs, but came up short. The Raiders are right behind Mineral Area in the Region XVI standings in fourth place with Crowder in the lead followed by Jefferson College.

Robert Augsdorfer - Daily American Republic