Knights give Rushville an 0-1 start
The 2023 baseball campaign for the Rushville Lions kicked off Monday afternoon in a 9-3 home loss to Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference rival South Dearborn.
The contest was tied at three apiece after four complete before the Knights ripped off six runs in the top of the fifth on their way to victory. Rushville’s defense committed an unsightly seven errors in the loss.
Senior Kameron Morton swatted a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth to knot the game. The Lions’ other four hits were singles, by sophomore Nicholas Bowles and seniors Bryce Berkemeier, Lincoln Comer and Jack Barnes. Sophomore Alex Reynolds reached base twice via base on balls and scored both times. Bowles stole two bases with Maurice Manghelli and Keegan Bowles adding one each.
Ryan Willoughby jacked a three-run dinger for the visitors and Adam Kunkel had two doubles and two knocked in. Max Burger had the other run batted in for SD. Burger and Dylan Wynn had two hits apiece and Gabe Perry added a single. Perry, Burger and Clay Gentry stole bags for the Knights.
Barnes suffered the loss, though just half of his eight allowed runs were earned. He struck out seven and walked none. Tyler Smith gave up an unearned run while he and Manghelli fanned two each from the mound. Willoughby started and won for the guests, walking four and punching out five. Logan Thies came on for the final two innings, striking out four Lions.
Rushville welcomes Shenandoah tonight ahead of a trip to South Dearborn Thursday to complete the season series.