The Riverton Raiders didn’t waste any time Tuesday night in a state tournament qualifying best of three series with the host Evanston Outlaws. Riverton swept the Outlaws 14-6 and 12-1 to advance to next week’s state Class A American Legion tournament in Sheridan.
The Raiders poured it on in their first at bat scoring 10 runs in the top half of the opening inning. The onslaught was highlighted by a three-run shot from Brayden Baker that sailed over the center field fence for an early 3-0 Riverton lead. That was just the beginning for the Raiders.
Riverton tallied seven more in the opening inning, batting around almost twice and forcing Evanston starting pitcher Gavin Oliver off the mound with just two outs to his credit.
Lee Maestas tallied the win for Riverton with eight strikeouts and just two walks in five innings of action. Beau Anderson and Ryan Cox took the final two innings for the win.
In the late game, the Raiders blistered Outlaw pitching for 15 hits, with home runs from Brayden Baker and Beau Anderson and four other extra base hits. Ryan Cox and Beau Anderson each hit a triple along with doubles from Trujillo and Baker.
Heikkila was three-for-three at the plate and Anderson was just a double shy of hitting for the cycle.
RIVERTON 10 0 0 0 1 3 0 – 14 12 2
EVANSTON 0 3 0 0 2 1 0 – 6 8 2
Riverton Raiders – Jameson Spradlin 2-4 2S, Colter Heikkila 1-3 S, Beau Anderson 3-5 3S, Brayden Baker HR, S 2-5, Ryan Cox 2-5 2S, Addison Trujillo 2-5 2S, Paxton Yeates 0-3, Lee Mastas 0-1, Dane Cox 0-3, Brayden Martin 0-0. Totals 12-34
Evanston Outlaws – Ryan Wilson 1-4 S, Ben Lail 2-3 2S, Gavin Oliver 1-2 S, Jacson Osborne 0-4, Brackin Lail 1-4 S, Jaden Windley 1-2 S, Josh Moio 0-3, Brecken Rich 0-0 , Tyson Bateman 1-4 2B, Damian Kaman 1-4 S. Totals 8-30
WP: Lee Maestas (5) 7H, 8K, 2BB, Beau Anderson (1) 1H, 2K, 3BB, Ryan Cox (1) 0H, 0K, 0BB
LP: Gavin Oliver (.2) 3H, 1K, 4BB, Jaden Windley (4.1) 8H, 2K, 2BB, Jaxon Corbett (0) 1H, 0K, 3BB
RIVERTON 4 1 0 5 2 – 12 15 2
EVANSTON 0 0 1 0 0 – 1 2 3
Riverton Raiders – Spradlin 0-4, Heikkila 3-3 2S 2B, Anderson 3-4 S 3B HR, Baker 2-4 S HR, R. Cox 1-2 3B, Trujillo 2-3 S 2B, D. Cox 1-3 S, Maestas 1-4 S, Martin 1-3 2. Totals 15-30
Evanston Outlaws – Wilson 0-2, Lail 1-3 2B, Oliver 0-2, Osborne 0-2, Lail 1-1 S, Rich 0-2, Windley 0-2, Bateman 0-2, Kaman 0-2. Totals 2-18
WP: Brayden Baker (5) 2H, 13K, 2BB
LP: Brackin Lail (3) 7H, 2K, 2BB, Damian Kaman (.1) 3H, 1K, 1BB, Ryder Wilson (1.2) 5H, 5K, 1BB