Luray Takes Game One

Luray 7, Front Royal 3 (Luray leads 1-0)

LURAY - Homestanding Luray erased an early deficit with a big fifth inning on its way to a 7-3 victory in game one of the 2010 Valley Baseball League championship series.

The Wranglers (32-18) found themselves down 3-0 after Front Royal (27-24) scored two runs in the second and one more in the third.

Unfortunately for the Cards, Luray’s offense got untracked in the fifth.

The Wranglers put up a four-spot in the fifth, chasing Front Royal starter Ricky Ott in the process.

Catcher Nick Rickles had the big hit in the frame, tying the contest with a three-run HR to left with one out.

The tie score didn’t last a batter, as Jonathan Griffin ended Ott’s night with a solo shot to give the hosts a lead they would not relinquish.

Luray then gave itself a cushion with two more runs in the sixth and one in the eighth.

Zach Blatt (2-1), who came on in the third for the Wranglers, earned the win with 5.0 innings of relief. He allowed no runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six.

Ott (2-4) was saddled with the loss after allowing four runs on four hits and five walks in 4 1/3.

Rickles, with four RBI, and Griffin led the Luray offense. Griffin was 2 for 4 and had the game-winning RBI.

Drew Gadaire, who drove in a run for the Cards in the second, was 2 for 4 to lead Front Royal.

The Wranglers now have two chances to clinch the 2010 Lineweaver Cup with the first coming Thursday at Front Royal in a 7:30 start.