By Molly Seales

The Riverdale Academy baseball team, parents, and Coach Jared Smelser have put much time and energy into preparing the field for the upcoming season. The players have been working hard at practice, and it paid off. They defeated the Providence Classical Academy Knights 13-3 at the season opener at Riverdale on Thursday.

Sophomore Aston Hester started on the mound for the Rebels and went the entire five innings. He allowed three runs on one hit and struck out 12 batters, while only walking one. Hester has worked hard in the off season on his pitching and batting, and it is already showing in his performance.

The Rebels were able to hit the ball well in their first game, racking up some RBI’s in the process. Hester had a great day at the plate as well, going 2 for 4 with a single, a triple, and 5 RBIs. He also had a stolen base and scored 2 runs. Junior Ryder Huddleston was perfect at the plate, going 2 for 2 with an RBI, a stolen base, and 2 runs scored. Sophomore Kaidyn Williams was 1 for 2 with a double, a stolen base, and 3 runs scored. Senior Colton Massey was 1 for 3 with a double, 2 RBIs, and 1 run scored. Junior catcher Landen Barret was 1 for 3, had 2 stolen bases, and scored 3 runs. Barrett was also perfect in the field with 13 chances and 13 put outs. Colton Caskey and Jaxon Gates also scored runs for the Rebels.

This week the Rebels will be on the road at Claiborne Academy on Tuesday, February 28 at 4:00 p.m. and on Thursday, March 2 at Junction City, Arkansas, at 4:30 p.m. The Rebels will be back at home on Saturday, March 4, to take on Claiborne Academy. Time is TBA. Congratulations to the Rebels on a great start!

Photo credit Leslie Johnson

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