Knights Sweep Double Header from Mt. Paran Spartans

Battery Brothers - Jack Rinehimer delivers a strike to big brother JD Rinehimer
 

The Marietta Knights had a good day on Saturday taking both games of a double header against the Mt Paran Spartans at Mt Paran North Church Park. It was a homecoming for Hunter, Garrett and Isaac who grew up playing at Mt. Paran and Mason who also spent a couple of seasons there. Coaches Rob, Pete and Charlie were also excited to see several of their former players in the opposite dugout.

Game 1

Austin Hansell struck out 3 in 3 innings on the mound.

The Knights looked strong right away as they jumped to a 4-0 lead in the top of the 1st thanks to hits from JD Rinehimer, Mason Doyle and Austin Hansell and a sacrifice fly by Gil Hastings. Austin was very sharp in his first action on the mound since injuring his hand. He struck out 3 and only allowed 2 runs on 2 hits in 3 innings of work. Austin also delivered the defensive play of the game from the mound. With a runner on 2nd, Austin fielded a hard comebacker and caught the baserunner between 2nd and 3rd. He executed the play perfectly running directly at the runner with the ball cocked and ready and as the runner broke for 3rd he made the throw to Hunter who applied the tag.

Garrett Wells delivered the game winning
hit in his return to Mt. Paran Park

RBI singles by Mason and George Krivsky pushed the lead to 6-2 in the top of the 4th and the Knights seemed to be in control. But Mt. Paran's Scott Baker kept Knights hitters off balance while the Spartans chipped away at the lead and tied things up at 6-6 when Nathan Jenkins crossed the plate. The tension was brutal in the top of the 6th when the Knights had no one on with 2 outs in a 6-6 tie. JD got things started again with a single and then stole 2nd and 3rd. Mason walked and stole second to set the stage for the homecoming play of the day as Garrett Wells blasted a 2 out, 2 run single into rcf. Gil Hastings followed up with a monstrous triple to bring Garrett home and Austin singled to knock in Gil. Austin came home on an error and suddenly the Knights had breathing room again with an 11-6 lead. Jack Rinehimer ended the drama with a 3 up 3 down 6th while pitching to his brother JD. Jack struck out 4 in 3 innings and JD was great at Catcher after being forced into a duty behind the plate due to injuries. It was a great family moment as JD squeezed strike three from Jack to finish off the 11-6 win.


Game 2
It looked like the Knights may be in for another dogfight as Mt Paran jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st. But the Knights offense picked up right where it left off with a 5 run first thanks to hits from Mason, Garrett, Gil, Jack and George. The Knights used a triple from Presley Field and a double from Mason to put up another 5 in the second and they never looked back in cruising to a 15-8 victory.

Hunter and Presley hustle off the field after a 1 to 3 putout ended the 3rd.

Big Game Hunter Williamson, who was strong defensively all day, had his homecoming moment after he took the mound in the 3rd inning. Hunter needed only 21 pitches to shut down Mt. Paran  in the 3rd and 4th innings giving up just 1 unearned run and striking out 1. He also had an assist from the mound. There were 2 Defensive Efforts of the Game. Mason Doyle made a great catch on a low line drive to short and doubled off the runner at first thanks to a great stretch and scoop from Presley Field. The other defensive effort was Austin Hansell throwing out 2 runners trying to steal in the game.



Mason Doyle reached base each of the 7
times he batted Saturday and scored 5 times.

Mason Doyle had a huge day in his return to the park. He had 5 assists and 5 putouts from short stop and reached base every time he went to bat. Mason was 3 for 3 with 5 runs, 4 RBI's, 5 steals and he walked 4 times. Garrett Wells was 3 for 6 with 5 RBI's, JD Rinehimer 4 for 5 with 5 runs, Gil Hammer Hastings was 4 for 6 with 4 RBI's and Austin Hook Hansell was 4 for 5 with 3 RBI's. It was a beautiful day at the park and it's always a little nicer when you can put two wins in the book.