Myles Steerman, Zachary Mendoza, Ryan Kloberdanz and Coach David Mendoza accept 3rd place trophies for the 2010 Richland Raiders RYA Mustang League rec team

North Richland Hills TX – David Gabehart scored the Raiders’ only run in the top of the 4th as the #2-seeded Rangers eliminated the #3-seeded Raiders from the RYA post-season tournament with an 11-1 win.  Gabehart was awarded offensive player of the game.  Jack Waller and Chris Amador split defensive player of the game. 

Kyle Johnston started for the Raiders and took the loss with Mikey Heath pitching in relief.  The Rangers scored 11 runs on 5 hits.  The Raiders scored 1 run on 2 hits, committed 2 errors and left 4 on base.  David Gabehart and Chris Amador both hit singles for the Raiders’ only hits of the game.  Gabehart scored from 3rd on a Chris Amador ground out in the top of the 4th.

North Richland Hills TX – Each Raider in the lineup scored and 3 Raiders hit home runs as the #3-seeded Raiders advanced in the RYA Mustang post-season tournament with a 15-4 win over the #10-seeded Falcons.   Hayden Raley, Gabe Adams, and Brandon Rios were recognized as defensive players of the game and David Gabehart was offensive player of the game.

The Falcons were held to 4 runs on 3 hits, committed 1 error and stranded 3 runners.  The Raiders scored 15 runs on 9 hits and stranded 3.  Hayden Raley was the starting pitcher and earned the win, facing 10 batters, allowing 1 hit and striking out 3.  Gabe Adams came on in relief in the 3rd inning allowing 2 hits and striking out 3.

The Falcons opened the game with a 1-0 lead.  Hayden Raley threw a strikeout and caught an infield pop-up to record the first two outs.  David Gabehart fielded a ground ball at first base and recorded the third out unassisted.

Zachary Mendoza led off the bottom of the 1st with a double on the first pitch.  After stealing 3rd, Mendoza scored on an RBI single by Gabe Adams.  Adams stole 2nd and 3rd with David Gabehart at the plate.  Gabehart then hit a hard line drive to left center field, rounding the bases for an inside-the-park home run.  Hayden Raley followed with an infield pop-up single.  With Mikey Heath at the plate, Raley stole 2nd, reached 3rd on a wild pitch and scored on a wild pitch.  Heath drew a walk and stole 2nd and 3rd.  With one out, Myles Steerman drew a walk and stole 2nd.  Chris Amador drew a walk to load the bases.  Ball four got away from the Falcons’ catcher and Heath stole home for the 5th Raiders run.  At the end of 1, the Raiders led 5-1.

The Raiders recorded two quick outs on the Falcons, the first on a Raley strikeout, the second on a 1-3 ground out by Raley and Heath.  Raley then gave up back-to-back walks.  The second Falcons run was scored on a wild pitch with runners at the corners.  Raley ended the threat with a strikeout and the score was Raiders 5-2 over the Falcons in the middle of the 2nd.

Brandon Rios opened up the Raiders 2nd inning reaching on a dropped 3rd strike.  With Adrian Puga at the plate, Rios stole 2nd, stole 3rd, and stole home.  Puga drew a walk and stole 2nd.  A pickoff attempt by the Falcons pitcher went into center field and Puga scored on the error on the pitcher.  Ryan Kloberdanz followed with a walk and stole 2nd.  With two strikes, Zachary Mendoza chopped a single in the infield, allowing Kloberdanz to score from 2nd.  Gabe Adams launched a triple into left center field, scoring Mendoza.  With Adams at 3rd, David Gabehart legged out an infield single which scored Adams for the 5th Raiders run of the inning.  At the end of 2, the Raiders led 10-2.

Gabe Adams came on in relief for the Raiders in the top of the 3rd inning.  The Falcons scored two more runs in the inning.  During the inning, the Raiders recorded a 6-3 ground out from Mikey Heath at shortstop to Hayden Raley playing 1st.  For the 2nd out, Brandon Rios came in from 3rd base to catch a short pop-up on the infield grass for the 2nd out.  Adams struck out the last batter for the 3rd out.  The score was now Raiders 10, Falcons 4.

Hayden Raley opened the bottom of the 3rd with a walk and stole 2nd.  Mikey Heath hit a monster shot to deep right center field for the Raiders’ 2nd inside-the-park home run of the evening to increase the Raider lead to 12-4.  Kyle Johnston followed with a walk.  Johnston stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch.  Myles Steerman reached 1st base after being hit by pitch.  With Chris Amador at the plate, Steerman stole 2nd, Johnston scored on a wild pitch, and Steerman stole 3rd.  With a full count, Amador drew a walk and stole 2nd.  On a 2-2 count, Brandon Rios knocked a line drive to left field scoring Steerman and Amador.  Rios was able to round the bases for an inside-the-park home run.  Rios’ run did not count as Amador scored the 5th Raider run of the inning before Rios crossed the plate.  At the end of 3 innings, every Raider had scored at least 1 run to build a 15-4 lead over the Falcons.

The Falcons went down in order in the top of the 4th.  Zachary Mendoza, Gabe Adams, and Kyle Johnston teamed up on the 1st out on a dropped 3rd strike.  Adams, in his 2nd inning in relief, struck out the 2nd batter looking.  The final Falcons batter grounded to Chris Amador for a 4-3 put out with Kyle Johnston covering 1st base.  The final score: Raiders 15, Falcons 4.

With the win, the Raiders advance to the next round of the RYA Mustang post-season tournament.  The next game for the Raiders is on Saturday, June 5th at Richfield Park Field 5 at 10 a.m. A win in that game would put the Raiders in the championship game at 12 noon.

North Richland Hills TX – Well, that could have gone better.

The top of the Braves order accounted for 9 out of the 11 Braves runs scored and the balls did not bounce the way of the Boys in Black as the Braves finish the RYA regular season undefeated with an 11-1 win over the Raiders.  The loss drops the Raiders to 8-2 and 3rd place for the RYA regular season.  Hayden Raley pitched 72 pitches to take the loss and earn defensive player of the game.  Zachary Mendoza earned offensive player of the game for his overall role at the top of the batting order.

The Raiders sole run was scored in the bottom of the 2nd inning.  Mikey Heath battled back from 0-2 to draw a leadoff walk.  Heath stole 2nd and was able to score as the throw from the Braves catcher skipped into the outfield.  Gabe Adams hit the Raiders only base hit, a single in the bottom of the 3rd.

Hayden Raley was the starting pitcher and had an ironman performance, throwing 72 pitches over 2 1/3 innings even though he was hit by pitch in the bottom of the 1st on his non-throwing wrist.  Kyle Johnston and Gabe Adams both pitched in relief.

The first game for the Raiders in the RYA Mustang post-season tournament is on Tuesday, June 2nd at 7:45 p.m. against the #10-seeded Falcons at Richfield Park Field 5.

North Richland Hills TX – Kyle Johnston struck out the final batter with the go-ahead run at the plate to hold off a Red Sox rally and earn a save as the Raiders went to 8-1 with a 10-8 win.  Johnston also earned defensive player of the game.  Jack Waller went 2 for 2 with a single, double, and 2 RBI to earn offensive player of the game. 

The Red Sox scored 8 runs on 4 hits, committed 3 errors and left 4.  The Raiders scored 10 runs on 8 hits, committed 2 errors and left 3.  Hayden Raley earned the win in relief and Kyle Johnston earned the save. 

Zachary Mendoza led off the first with an infield single.  Mendoza stole 2nd and reached 3rd on a wild pitch.  Gabe Adams drove in Mendoza on a ground out to the pitcher.  Hayden Raley drew a 2 out walk and stole 2nd and 3rd.  Jack Waller drove in Raley with an infield single.  After the top of the 1st, the Raiders led 2-0. 

Gabe Adams was the starting pitcher for the Raiders.  The Red Sox scored 5 runs on 2 hits.  Adams struck out 3 and gave up 2 walks.  At the end of 1, the Red Sox led 5-2. 

Chris Amador led off the top of the 2nd with a walk and stole 2nd and 3rd.  Myles Steerman followed with a walk and stole 2nd.  Amador scored on a passed ball.  Mikey Heath popped out to the catcher and Steerman was doubled off 2nd base for a Red Sox double play.  Brandon Rios drew a 2 out walk.  Rios stole 2nd and headed to 3rd as the throw from the Red Sox catcher skipped into the outfield.  As Rios headed to 3rd, the throw from the center fielder hit Rios in the back of his batting helmet and bounced into foul territory.  Rios rounded 3rd and scored.  After the top of the 2nd, the Raiders reduced the Red Sox lead to 5-4. 

Hayden Raley came on in relief for the Raiders.  After giving up a lead off walk, Raley struck out the next 3 batters to hold the Red Sox scoreless.  The score remained 5-4 at the end of 2.

In the top of the 3rd, Gabe Adams hit an infield single and stole 2nd.  David Gabehart, who struck out in the 1st inning, battled back and hit an RBI double into left field, scoring Adams.  Gabehart stole 3rd and scored on an RBI single by Hayden Raley.  Raley advanced to 2nd on a passed ball.  Jack Waller drove in Raley with an RBI double to deep left field.  Kyle Johnston blooped a single over the 1st baseman to score Waller.  Johnston stole 2nd and attempted to advance to 3rd as the throw went into the outfield.  The Red Sox center fielder threw out Johnston for the 2nd out.  Chris Amador drew a 2 out walk.  Amador stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on a passed ball and scored the Raiders’ 5th run on a wild pitch.  Going in to the bottom of the 3rd, the Raiders led 9-5. 

Hayden Raley held the Red Sox to 3 runs in the bottom of the 3rd, striking out 4, one reaching on a dropped 3rd strike.   At the end of 3, the Raiders held a narrow 9-8 lead. 

In the top of the 4th, the Raiders added an insurance run.  Mikey Heath hit a 1 out single on a 2-2 count.  Heath reached 2nd on defensive indifference and stole 3rd.  On the steal attempt, the Red Sox catcher overthrew the 3rd baseman and Heath scored.  Going in to the bottom of the 4th, the Raiders led 10-8. 

Kyle Johnston came in to pitch the 4th in a save situation.  Johnston gave up a lead off walk, but struck out the next two batters.  Johnston gave up a 2 out walk.  With the tying run at 2nd and the go-ahead run at the plate, Johnston struck out the last batter on 3 straight pitches to preserve the 10-8 win for the Raiders.  The Raiders’ record moves to 8-1 and the Red Sox finish the regular season at 4-6. 

The last regular season game for the Raiders is on Tuesday, May 25th at 7:45 p.m. against the Braves at Cross Timbers Park Field 1. 

North Richland Hills TX – The Raiders scored the maximum number of runs in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings to break open a close game and win their 5th straight over the Padres, 16-7.  Kyle Johnston was the offensive player of the game with a double, triple, 2 RBI and a run scored.  Defensive player of the game was Hayden Raley who was the starting pitcher and held the Padres to 1 run on no hits with 5 strikeouts.

The Padres scored 7 runs on 1 hit, left 2, and committed 1 error.  The Raiders scored 16 runs on 9 hits, left 4, and committed 1 error.  Hayden Raley earned the win with Zachary Mendoza and Gabe Adams pitching in relief. 

The Raiders started the scoring with 1 run in the top of the 1st.  David Gabehart drew a two out walk, stole 2nd and scored on Hayden Raley’s RBI single.  The Padres countered with 1 run in the bottom of the 1st thanks to a lead off walk.  At the end of 1, the game was tied 1-1. 

In the top of the 2nd, Jack Waller and Myles Steerman both drew walks.  Waller scored from 3rd on a passed ball.  Kyle Johnston drove in Steerman with a triple to right center field.  Johnston scored on a passed ball.  With two outs, Ryan Kloberdanz drew a walk, stole 2nd and 3rd.  Kloberdanz scored when Brandon Rios reached 1st on a dropped 3rd strike.  Rios advanced to 2nd on a steal and to 3rd on a passed ball.  Gabe Adams drove in Rios as the 5th run of the inning with an RBI single through the right side.  

In the bottom of the 2nd, the Raiders held the Padres scoreless thanks to strong pitching by Hayden Raley and defensive plays by David Gabehart, tagging out a batter on a 3rd strike and tagging out a runner from 3rd trying to score on a passed ball.  At the end of 2, the Raiders led 6-1. 

The Raiders extended their lead in the top of the 3rd.  Zachary Mendoza reached on a leadoff walk and advanced by stealing 2nd.  David Gabehart was hit by pitch.  Hayden Raley drove in both Mendoza and Gabehart with a triple to left center field.  Raley scored on a wild pitch during Mikey Heath’s at bat.  Heath drew a walk, advanced to 2nd on defensive indifference, and stole 3rd.  Myles Steerman stretched his hitting streak to three consecutive games with an RBI infield single, scoring Heath.  Steerman stole 2nd and Kyle Johnston drove him in with a double to right center field. 

The Padres started to mount a comeback in the bottom of the 3rd as Zachary Mendoza came on in relief and had difficulty finding the plate.   After Mendoza walked in the 2nd Padre run of the inning with the bases loaded,  Gabe Adams came on in relief.  Adams recorded a strikeout, but the Raiders gave up 3 more runs on 3 passed balls.  At the end of 3, the Raiders still led 11-6.

Adrian Puga led off the top of the 4th by drawing a walk.  Puga stole 2nd and 3rd and scored on an overthrow by the Padre catcher.  Chris Amador drew a walk.  After a Padre pitching change, Amador advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch and 3rd on defensive indifference.  With one out, Brandon Rios drew a walk.  Rios went to 2nd on defensive indifference.  Gabe Adams drove in Amador and Rios on an RBI infield single.  Adams stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd on a passed ball.  Zachary Mendoza drove Adams in with a hard infield grounder through the left side.  Mendoza rounded 1st and got caught in a rundown between 1st and 2nd, able to reach 2nd safely after several throws back and forth between 1st and 2nd, like a scene out of The Sandlot.  David Gabehart followed with an RBI single.  Mendoza’s run was the 5th run of the inning and the lead was now 16-6.  The Padres managed to score a run in the bottom of the 4th as time expired, preserving the 16-7 victory for the Raiders. 

The Raiders next game is at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 22 at Richfield Park Field 5 against the Red Sox.

North Richland Hills TX – The Raiders broke open a 3-3 tie with 5 runs in the 3rd and 4th to put away the Falcons, 13-5 in 4 innings.  Mikey Heath hit his 2nd inside-the-park home run of the year and recorded 3 RBI to earn player of the game. 

The Falcons scored 5 runs on 4 hits and left 4.  The Raiders scored 13 runs on 6 hits and left 1.  Hayden Raley hit a double and a triple, had an RBI and scored once.  Kyle Johnston pitched two solid innings as the starting pitcher.  Jack Waller came on in relief and earned the win.  Gabe Adams also pitched an inning in relief. 

The Falcons took the early lead in the top of the 1st scoring on an RBI ground out to starting pitcher Kyle Johnston.  Johnston threw 2 strikeouts in the inning and teamed up with Jack Waller on the ground out.

The Raiders came back with 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st.  Chris Amador led off by drawing a walk.  Gabe Adams drove Amador in on a ground out.  Zachary Mendoza followed with a walk, stole 2nd and stole 3rd.  David Gabehart walked and Mendoza scored as the pitch got away from the catcher.   With two outs, Hayden Raley drove in Gabehart with a triple to left field.  At the end of 1, Raiders led 3-1. 

The Falcons and Raiders both went scoreless in the 2nd.  In the top of the 2nd, Kyle Johnston threw two strikeouts and had a ground out assist with Hayden Raley covering 1st base.  Myles Steerman reached on a single through the right side in the bottom of the inning, reaching 2nd on a ground out by Mikey Heath.  Steerman was caught stealing at 3rd. 

In the top of the 3rd, Jack Waller came on to pitch in relief.  Waller gave up 2 runs but struck out 3.  Going in to the bottom of the 3rd, the game was tied 3-3. 

Adrian Puga led off the bottom of the 3rd advancing to 1st base on a hit by pitch.  Puga stole 2nd and 3rd as Brandon Rios drew a walk.  Puga stole home to put the Raiders ahead 4-3.  Chris Amador laid down a perfect bunt to the 3rd base side and Rios scored on the ensuing overthrow.  Amador reached 3rd but was called out on appeal as he stepped across the plate to execute the bunt.  Gabe Adams followed with a long single to left center field.  Zachary Mendoza was hit by pitch  to reach base for the 2nd time in the game.  Adams and Mendoza executed a double steal to reach 3rd and 2nd.  David Gabehart drove Adams and Mendoza in on an infield single.  Gabehart went on to steal home for the 5th run and the Raiders led 8-3 at the end of the 3rd. 

Gabe Adams pitched the 4th inning in relief, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and recorded 4 strikeouts with one batter reaching base on a dropped 3rd strike.   Adams struck out the final batter on 3 straight pitches to hold the Raider lead to 8-5.

Jack Waller led off the 4th inning with a walk.  Waller went on to steal 2nd, 3rd and home to extend the Raider lead.  Hayden Raley followed with a double to left field.  Raley stole 3rd and Kyle Johnston drew a walk.  With one out and a 3-0 count, Mikey Heath hit a high pitch deep to left field, scoring Raley and Johnston.  Heath circled the bases for his 2nd inside-the-park home run of the season.  Ryan Kloberdanz drew a walk, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, and went home on a failed pickoff attempt.  Time expired and the Raiders went on to win their 4th straight, 13-5 over the Falcons. 

The next game for the Raiders is on Thursday, May 20 against the Padres at 7:45 p.m. on Field 5 at Richfield Park.

North Richland Hills TX – Brandon Rios caught a short pop fly at 3^rd base in the top of the 4^th inning to end the Rockies comeback bid as the Raiders held on to beat the Rockies 9-8.  The win moves the Raiders to 5-1 for the RYA 2010 Mustang Spring Season.  Player of the game was Myles Steerman with a key double in the bottom of the 2^nd inning and a nice stop on defense at 2^nd base.  Gabe Adams came on in relief of Hayden Raley in the 2^nd for the win and Mikey Heath earned a save.

The Rockies scored 8 runs on 6 hits and left 7.  The Raiders scored 9 runs on 7 hits, committed 1 error and left 3.

After Hayden Raley struck out the first 2 Rockies batters in the top of the 1st, the Rockies scored a run on a dropped 3^rd strike.  Chris Amador and David Gabehart teamed up on a 6-4 put out to end the top of the 1^st.

In the bottom of the 1^st, Zachary Mendoza led off with an infield single.  Mendoza went on to steal 2^nd and 3^rd.  With David Gabehart at the plate, Mendoza scored on a wild pitch.  Gabehart and Hayden Raley drew back to back walks.  Gabehart scored from 3^rd on a passed ball with Mikey Heath at the plate.  Heath drew a walk and stole 2^nd to put runners at 2^nd and 3^rd.  Gabe Adams drove in Raley with a ground out to 1^st.  At the end of 1, the Raiders led 3-1.

In the top of the 2^nd, Raley gave up a lead off walk with the runner advancing to 3^rd on two steals.  Two successive Rockies were tagged out by David Gabehart in at catcher on two dropped 3^rd strikes.  After a hit batsman and walk loaded the bases, Raley gave up a walk to allow the Rockies’ 2^nd run.  Gabe Adams came on in relief and struck out the next batter with the bases loaded to preserve the Raiders lead, 3-2.

In the bottom of the 2^nd, the Rockies recorded two quick outs.  With the count 1 and 2 with two outs, Myles Steerman hit a sharp grounder to the right side to reach 2^nd base.   Zachary Mendoza followed with a hard line drive in the right center field gap, scoring Steerman as Mendoza rounded the bases for an inside-the-park home run.  At the end of 2, the Raiders extended their lead to 5-2.

The Rockies took the lead in the top of the 3^rd with 4 runs on 4 hits.  Adams ended up with 3 strikeouts in the inning and struck out the last batter with the 5^th run at 3^rd base.   Going into the bottom of the 3^rd, the Rockies now led the Raiders 6-5.

David Gabehart led off the bottom of the 3^rd with a single.  Hayden Raley drove Gabehart in with a double.  Raley stole 3^rd.  Gabe Adams drove in Raley with a single for his 2^nd RBI of the night.  Adams stole 2^nd and 3^rd and Jack Waller drove in Adams with a ground out.  Adrian Puga followed by drawing a walk, advancing to 2^nd on a passed ball and advancing to 3^rd on a wild pitch.  Chris Amador legged out a single to score Puga.  After 3 innings, the Raiders led the Rockies 9-6.

Mikey Heath came in to pitch the top of the 4^th.  On a dropped 3^rd strike, Jack Waller threw out the first batter on the throw to Chris Amador at 1^st base.  The 2^nd batter reached on a dropped 3^rd strike and advanced to 2^nd on an overthrow.  The next batter recorded an RBI on a single up the middle.  The runner stole 2^nd and 3^rd and scored on a wild pitch.  Heath pitched a strikeout for the 2^nd out.  Brandon Rios ended the game catching a short pop fly at 3^rd base.

The next game for the Raiders will be on Saturday, May 15 at 2:30 p.m. against the Padres at Richfield Park Field 5.