High school baseball: Wolves rout Grizzlies

RIVERTON — It didn't rain, but it still poured.

Led by senior captains Connor Woodward and Scott Shipley, Riverton (11-0, 16-2) remained undefeated in Region 3 play, beating Copper Hills (5-6, 8-10) 11-1 in five innings Wednesday.

Woodward started off a five-run first inning with a two-run home run and Shipley brought things to a merciful end right before a snowstorm by hitting a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning.

With a lot of support in the form of 11 runs on 13 hits, the Silverwolves were able to cruise by a young Grizzly team and allow junior pitcher Bryson Lay an easier start in his first work back from a torn labrum. Lay was on a strict pitch count, but did exactly the job Riverton coach Jay Applegate wanted him to do.

"We wanted him to throw 55-60 pitches, then he was done for the day. I thought he did a very good job when he was in there, and the main thing is we got the win," Applegate said.

Lay and junior pitcher Devin Deweerdt, who came on in relief, were stingy all day, allowing only one run on four hits in a wind-swept game that had all the makings of a high-scoring affair for both teams.

The lone bright side for Copper Hills was second baseman Jacob Lisonbee, who started the top of the second with a great multi-base hit, which eventually helped the Grizzlies score their only run. Copper Hills had many chances to make the game a close one or even steal a win, especially in the fifth inning when the Grizzlies had the bases loaded, but left their runners stranded.

Riverton now is only a three-game series with Bingham away from an undefeated region season and the subsequent season title. Applegate, however, said his kids weren't worried about that.

"Our kids weren't looking ahead. We knew we had to beat Copper Hills first, and in my opinion, we played our best game of the season. I give a lot of credit to our leaders for the game we had today."