MONTGOMERY — On a rainy afternoon in Montgomery, the Red Raiders defeated rival Muncy on Friday, 7-1, in a five-inning, rain-shortened game.

In the top of the first inning, Jameson Barlow connected a single, starting Muncy off on a strong start with a runner on base. Later, Barlow scored after Vincenzo Finochiaro recorded an RBI single to go ahead, 1-0, early. Finochiaro stole second, sliding through the bases to try and make it home. Unfortunately, Barlow was the sole scorer for Muncy, but it wasn’t without a valiant effort.

In the bottom of the first inning, Parker Bennett hit a triple before Briar Persing had an RBI single, bringing Bennett home. Later Parker Persing recorded a single and stole second. By the end of the first inning, Montgomery took the lead, 2-1, and never allowed Muncy to score again.

“We just work hard every evening in practice, and we’ve been out at practice since January,” Montgomery coach Tim Persing said. “These guys always come every day and work hard, and we know everything that we play, no matter who it is, we just have to play a good game and play your best. So they’re always in the right mindset that way.”

In the top of the second inning, Barlow recorded a single. Corbyn Gardner had a pop up, but it was quickly caught by the outfield.

In the bottom of inning, however, things got exciting for the Red Raiders. Briar Persing, Mason Bryson, Parker Persing, Chase Bennett and Parker Bennett all hit singles, bringing in five runs and going ahead, 7-1.

“I really don’t have to tell them anything. The captains usually keep the team up and keep them going, and they know what they need to do,” coach Persing said. “So just tell them to be confident in themselves, play hard, and be good at bat, and it’ll be fine.”

Montgomery and Muncy maintained their lead of 7-1 throughout the third, fourth and fifth innings. Tthe game ended early in the fifth inning due to rain–but for the four and a half innings played, the Red Raiders and Indians played hard in the rivalry game.

Pitchers Briar Persing for Montgomery and Muncy’s Corbyn Gardner kept it tight in the last three innings, not letting any batters score. Persing threw all five and scattered three singles with 10 strikeouts while allowing only three walks. Gardner had three strikeouts in his two innings of work on the mound.

Even when a batter got through by making contact and putting the ball in play, infield and outfield worked together in order to get them out, and both teams exhibited excellent teamwork defensively.

For their next game, Muncy will be more prepared to face their opponent.

“You know, you’re only as good as your next game, and Montgomery’s a great baseball team, an experienced team. We battled with them for five innings,” Muncy coach Shawn Finn said. “But you have to work to get better at your next game. So, next week when we start Monday it’s a new day and we just got to work to be better individually and for the team.”

Later, Finn gave some advice he told his team in between innings.

“Keep playing baseball, play hard, and play aggressive and good things happen,” Finn said.

Montgomery 7, Muncy 1

(5 INNINGS)

Muncy 100 00 — 1 3 1

Montgomery 250 0x — 7 10 0

W: Briar Persing. L: Dohl.

Top Muncy hitters: Barlow 2-3, run; Finochiaro 1-1, RBI. Top Montgomery hitters: Parker Bennett 3-3, RBI, 2 runs; Briar Persing 2-3, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Parker Persing 2-3, run; C. Bennett 1-2, 2 RBIs; M. Bryson 1-2, run.