Perk Valley Raiders drop Whitemarsh 10-5 behind Turner's early Fireworks

Tue July 3 - Five 1st inning runs helped the 14/15 y/o PV Raiders American Legion baseball team to a 10-5 win over a tough Whitemarsh team under the lights at Whitemarsh's Miles Park complex.  The Raiders' catcher John Turner, playing through a painful lower back injury, was perfect at the dish, going 3-3, with two RBIs and two runs scored.  He got the Raiders offense started in the top of the first by crushing a bases-loaded, line drive to right center which knocked in the Raiders first two runs.  He also added singles in the third and sixth innings and walked in the fifth. 

Liam Grande (4-0) got it done on the bump on the way to his team-leading 4th win. He allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings, struck out seven, walked five and gave up just four hits.  The Raiders added four more runs in the top of the fifth.  Tyler Krause, Turner, and Jake Riehs walked to open the frame.  Adam Gaines was then HBP scoring Krause.  Austin Lee stepped to the plate and drilled a single to right field, plating Turner.  Danny Quirk showed his red hot bat for the second consecutive game and blasted a two-run double to the left center gap scoring Riehs and Gaines.  Two runs in the bottom of the sixth helped Whitemarsh close its deficit to 10-5.  A two-run error set off a Whitemarsh rally.  The Raiders Trent Tyson came on in relief going 2 1/3 innings giving up 2 hits, 1 walk and 2 runs and closed the game for the Raiders 14th win of the season.

The PV Raiders now stand at 14-6-1 overall and 12-5-1 in league play.  They're battling for one of the two top slots to gain a first round bye in the upcoming playoffs.

League Standings - Montco American Legion (14/15 y/o)  thru July 3rd:

1st @ 14-3-0 Wissahickon
2nd @ 12-5-1 Perk Valley
3rd @ 11-6-0 Norriton
4th @ 10-7-0 Valley Forge
5th @  9-8-0 JP Mascaro
6th @  9-9-0 Whitemarsh
7th @ 3-13-1 Plymouth
8th @ 0-17-0 Norristown