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REGIONAL BASEBALL BLOG: Sebring vs. Riverdale

CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE GAMES? WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED

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By Brian Gjurgevich | Highlands Today
and Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: May 9, 2008

Updated: 05/09/2008 08:56 pm

FORT MYERS - 9:45 p.m. update: It's final: Riverdale 10, Sebring 2.
Riverdale's Nate Gahafer allowed just two hits and struck out 10 and Sebring used five pitchers in a 10-2 loss to Riverdale, forcing a do-or-die Game 3 at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Thanks to all who kept with this blog. We'll be doing it again on Saturday for the rubber match.

9:19 p.m. update: Raiders add another, Sebring down to final three outs
Riverdale Corey Williams drove in another run help his Raiders take a 10-2 lead and the Streaks went down in order in the sixth.
Heading into the seventh, it's Riverdale 10, Sebring 2.
The Streaks may want to start focusing on Saturday's game -- at least they won't have to face Gahafer, who's fanned 10.

8:54 p.m. update: Riverdale tacks on two more
Riverdale scored two more runs in the top of the fifth on a pair of wild pitches and Nate Gahafer is dominating the Sebring bats. He struck out the Streaks' side in the bottom of the fifth.
Entering the sixth, it's 9-2 Riverdale, and a deciding Saturday game is looking like more and more of a possibility.

8:29 update: Streaks threaten, but Raiders hold firm.
Sebring had two runners on base in the bottom of the fourth after Gus Williams hit a double and Tony Vazquez walked. But Riverdale's Gahafer struck out the next two streaks to end the threat.
End of the fourth, still 7-2 Riverdale.

8:05 p.m. update: Radiers blast ahead
Riverdale smacks back-to-back home runs to jump ahead 7-2 in the top of the fourth. First one by Justin Richardson and the second by Ryan McChesney. Sebring's Kevin Welborn enters the game, replacing Steven Fortner, with one out in the top of the fourth.
Still in the fourth, Riverdale 7, Sebring 2.

7:55 p.m. update: Streaks inch closer.
Sebring's Kevin Welborn hit a bloop single into center to score pinch-runner Matt Musto from second as the Streaks cut Raiders' lead in half, 4-2 in the bottom of the third.
Heading into the top of the fourth, it's Riverdale 4, Sebring 2.

7:35 p.m. update: Streaks start clawing back.
Down four runs in the bottom of the second, Gus Williams told his team in the dugout, "It's time to start chipping away at this lead like we did against Lake Wales."
Williams backed up his words with a solo home run, and brought the Streaks within three.
After two innings, Riverdale 4, Sebring 1.

7:18 p.m. update: Raiders jump ahead 4-0.
Riverdale's Corey Williams hit his second home run of the day, a two-run shot into left, forcing Sebring's Cody Higgins from the game with the Streaks down 3-0. Steven Fortner came in to take the mound for the Blue Streaks with two outs in the top of the second.
An outfield error gave the Raiders one more run and a 4-0 lead.
Riverdale 3, Sebring 0.

7:04 p.m. update: No score after one.
Both teams went down in order in the first inning of Game 2.
After one, Sebring 0, Riverdale 0.

6:57 update: Game 2 just underway.
Cody Higgins will take the hill for a fired-up Sebring squad. Nate Gahafer takes the mound for Riverdale in Game 2.
Sebring is the home team for the nightcap.
A Streak win would end the series, while a Raider win would send the series to a deciding third game, to be played Saturday at 1 p.m.
Hoppy Rewis' lineup, with minor changes due to Kyle Long's injury:
1. Cody Higgins
2. Kevin Welborn
3. Tony Vazquez
4. Adam Simmons
5. Gus Williams
6. Cory Watt
7. Cody Hoffner
8. Izzy Gomez
9. Mike Jones

The game just started. We'll have inning-by-inning updates as it goes on.

6:16 update: Sebring takes first game of series, 3-2.
Riverdale's Corey Williams hit a solo shot over the left field fence in the bottom of the seventh and Sebring's Adam Simmons allowed the tying run on base to give Sebring a scare.
But Simmons picked off the runner at first and struck out the final batter to seal a 3-2 victory for Sebring.
Simmons threw 111 pitches, gave up six hits and struck out four to earn the win.
The Streaks now must win the nightcap or Saturday's early game to advance to the state finals. Game two is set for 7 p.m.
Stay here for inning-by-inning updates.

6:13 p.m. update: Sebring wins 3-2!

6:07 p.m. update: Sebring takes 3-1 lead in seventh.
Sebring patience at the plate paid off in the top of the seventh. The Blue Streaks scored two runs on four walks and one single in the top of the seventh to take a 3-1 lead. Adam Simmons headed out to the mound in the bottom of the seventh to face the 7-8-9 batters.
After 6 1/2, Sebring 3, Riverdale 1.

5:47 p.m. update: Still tied after six ... Long headed to hospital
Both teams went down in order in the sixth. An update on Kyle Long, who was injured on a collision at home plate that saw him ejected from the game: His mother has made him an appointment at Florida Hospital in Sebring and will be driving him back for an MRI. He's in the dugout, not moving his left shoulder and in visible pain, but the senior is still trying to stay positive for his teammates. Matt Musto took his spot in the lineup and Jordan Bassett is playing center field in his absence.
Going into the seventh, the game is still tied at 1.

5:33 p.m. update: Still tied at 1
After the Blue Streaks went down in order in the top of the fifth, Riverdale missed a perfect opportunity to take the lead with two runners on and two outs. But Simmons got McChesney to hit a first-pitch change-up up into center to end the threat.
After five innings, we're still tied, 1-1.

5:20 p.m. update: Riverdale ties it up at 1
Riverdale tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double by pitcher Ryan McChesney, but with runners on second and third with one out, Sebring's Adam Simmons got the final two batters out to keep the score knotted at one.
After four innings, Sebring 1, Riverdale 1

5:10 p.m. update: After 3 1/2 innings, Sebring 1, Riverdale 0 ... Long out for the series
The Blue Streaks spoiled Gus Williams' leadoff double when Cody Higgins lined into a 8-4 inning-ending double play in the top of the fourth.
The bigger news, however is that Kyle Long will miss the rest of the series with a seperated shoulder. SHS athletic director Terry Quarles confirmed Long will be taken in for an MRI, likely ending his regional final series. He would've been suspended for the second game anyway after being ejected from Game 1.
Middle of the fourth, Sebring still leads 1-0.

5 p.m. update: After three innings -- Sebring 1, Riverdale 0
Adam Simmons gave up his first hit, a two-strike single to Riverdale's Kyle Schiegner, but came back to strike out the next batter to end the inning and hold onto the 1-0 lead. Long is still being checked out.
Back on the field, Gus Williams hit a double to lead off the top of the fourth.
After three innings, Sebring leads 1-0 and is threatening.

4:53 p.m. update: Sebring takes 1-0 lead in second, Long ejected
Sebring's Tony Vazquez hit a broken-bat single into right field to score Kevin Welborn, but Kyle Long tried to score on the same play and collided with Riverdale catcher Nick Stewart. The umpire ejected Long, saying the collision was intentional. Long came back to the dugout holding his left shoulder and his status for the second game is questionable. He's currently getting treatment in the dugout from the Riverdale trainer.
In the bottom of the third inning, it's 1-0 Sebring.

4:38 update: Second inning: 0-0
This regional final is turning into a pitchers' duel.
In the second inning, Riverdale's McChesney struck out the side and Sebring's Simmons fanned two to hold the Raider bats at bay.
After two innings, it's still 0-0

4:25 update: First inning: 0-0
Sebring's Cody Higgins and Tony Vazquez drew walks to put runners on first and second with two outs, but Riverdale senior pitcher Ryan McChesney forced a fielder's choice to end the threat in the top of the first.
In the bottom of the inning, Adam Simmons laughed with catcher Mike Jones after missing with his fastball but came back with a curve to force a groundout to sit down Riverdale in order in the bottom of the first. One inning in the books, still 0-0.

3:49 p.m. update:
Adam Simmons is warming up to start the game for Sebring with a very determined look on his face as teammate and fellow starter Steven Fortner and coach Chet Maxcy look on. Ryan McChesney, a senior, is starting for Riverdale.
Coach Hoppy Rewis' batting order for Game 1:
1. Cody Higgins
2. Kevin Welborn
3. Kyle Long
4. Tony Vazquez
5. Adam Simmons
6. Gus Williams
7. Izzy Gomez
8. Cory Watt
9. Mike Jones
The Sebring contingency is outnumbering the Riverdale fans four-to-one, much to the amusement of the home faithful. Raider fans noticed the difference when the applause for the Streaks taking infield practice was louder than that of Riverdale's. Sebring is wearing their blue warm-ups for infield practice and they'll be donning the grey away jerseys for the opening game. Weather is still windy, sunny and partly cloudy, temps in the mid-90s.

3:20 p.m. update:
The wind is swirling here at Riverdale High School's baseball field. During warm-ups, you can see the ball swirling up in the air, which may wreak havoc on the outfielders later on. Two flags in the outfield are indicating wind blowing out and a cross wind from right field to left.
Sebring is warming up and Riverdale players are relaxing in the dugout. About 50 Sebring fans have already made their way to the stadium at this point, and a lot more are expected for the 7 p.m. game.

See Saturday's Highlands Today for Game 1 result. See Sunday's Highlands Today for complete stories from both games, plus reaction and photos.

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