Knights Fall to Hernando High

The varsity baseball team was shutout by the Hernando High Leopards on Tuesday night, 7-0.

River Ridge Head Coach Jack Homko was “hoping to come out and be competitive, and (the game) is a benchmark. We know now what we need to do to come back with (Hernando).”

The Knights found themselves in a 5-0 hole after the second inning primarily thanks to Hernando’s Matthey Brady, a junior, who hit a three-run home run.

Starting River Ridge pitcher Taylor Rish, a senior, said there “wasn’t good communication at first, but we were able to fix it.” In the next inning, when Hernando had players on second and third base, the Knights were able to get out of a tight jam, which “impressed” Homko.

Baseball is commonly referred to as a game of adjustments, and the Knights just weren’t able to adjust offensively Tuesday night, which led to the shutout and Hernando’s pitching staff racking up 15 strikeouts.

Last year, River Ridge’s former coach, Al Sorrentino, was calling pitches for River Ridge. The Knights now have coach Mike McHugh calling pitches. The Knights' pitchers are still getting used to him and are already making improvements.

Homko said in the third inning, “(We) need to make adjustments, gentlemen. Swinging from your heels.”

However, Matthew Heimann got on base every three times. He went 2-2 with two singles and reached second base on a throwing error that went out of play.

The Knights' relief pitching wasn’t bad. It allowed one run in three innings.

Cameron Hokanson gave up the one run but came back to strike out the side of the order.

Rish was credited with the loss, and Leopard Brett Maggard, a senior, was awarded the victory.

The Hernando Leopards are a “loaded” team, says Homko, with star batters and pitchers.

“(The Knights) have to go battle ourselves and get some respect back. Then when we play (Hernando) back at our place, hopefully, we’re playing better and we have a little more confidence.”