Andrew Craig Gets Three Hits in Shamrock Win; Lakota Rucker Bright Spot for Mustangs

Andrew Craig got three hits for North Harrison to get new coach Ron Rivera his first win 12-2 Friday. Perhaps it was the new mascot for the Shamrocks in the form of Lucian Sweeney, who dressed up like a bandit for the game, or the brownies that the players got after the game. Lakota Rucker was a bright spot for the Mustangs, sparking them with their first hit of the season as they managed to go the distance after a bad second inning put them in danger of being run ruled. 

The game featured two teams with many new faces for this year. North Nodaway has 15 out this year, but only four with returning varsity experience while North Harrison lost two of their key cogs last year in Keygun Johnson and Jerry Gilpatrick and are also starting from scratch. 

Tate Richardson reached on an error and Ryker Fortner shot a double down the right field line as the Shamrocks put runners on second and third in the top of the first. Gage Fortner couldn't get Richardson home as pitcher Blaine Clements held Tate at third and threw to first for the out, but then Andrew Craig hit a chopper that was tough for Clements to field and Richardson was able to take off and score to make it 1-0.

Kyler Kimbrough reached on a dropped third strike to start the Shamrock second, which turned out to be costly for the Mustangs. Blaine Clements battled back to strike out Brandon Underwood and Kayson Sims, but then walked Axle Allen and Tate Richardson as Kimbrough scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0. Ryker Fortner singled to load the bases and then Gage Fortner reached on an error to make it 3-0 and keep the bases loaded. Andrew Craig walked to force in a run to make it 4-0 and then Kellan Craig doubled to left center to empty the bases to make it 7-0 after two.

The Shamrocks made it 8-0 after Ryker Fortner beat out an infield hit in the fourth and took second on an errant pickoff throw. Andrew Craig singled him home from center.

Shamrock pitcher Tate Richardson made a bid for a perfect game or a no-hitter through the first three innings, but tired in the fourth inning; what was billed as a perfect day for baseball with temperatures in the 60's instead featured a freak rainstorm right before gametime and temperatures that plunged 10 degrees. Weston Alexander reached on an error, but the Shamrocks may have found a new catcher in Kellan Craig as he pounced on a passed ball and gunned down Alexander at second trying to advance. But Richardson walked the next two batters before he was finished. Gage Fortner came in to pitch for the Shamrocks and struck out Laythen Ebrecht, only for Lakota Rucker to shoot one down the right field line for a base hit and bring in two runs for the Mustangs to break up North Harrison's no-hit and shutout bid and make it 8-2.

With one out, Tate Richardson singled to right and stole second. Ryker Fortner reached on a dropped pop fly and they stole second and third. Gage Fortner grounded out to short, scoring Richardson. North Nodaway tried to throw out Fortner trying to go from second to third after the play and threw it away, allowing Fortner to score and make it 10-2. But Aiden James was a bright spot for the Mustangs as they may have found a new arm; he ate up a lot of innings and was able to keep them from getting run ruled.

Another bright spot for the Mustangs was Draven Rader, a freshman outfielder who snagged Ryker Fortner's drive in the seventh inning. But the Shamrocks pushed two more across in the frame as Gage Fortner singled and Andrew Craig got his third hit with a double to push home another run to make it 12-2.