By By Tim Cottrell
Much like their younger counterparts, the Major League Division of Atmore Cal Ripken Baseball saw its first week produce a crowd at the top, with three teams tied at 2-1 records.
Athletics 8
Red Sox 7
The season opened with a barnburner Monday, seeing the First National Bank Athletics outlast the Joey's Furniture Red Sox by a score of 8-7.
Dillion Rolin reached three times on errors for the Red Sox in a losing effort. He scored two runs for his troubles. Logan Smith, Brett Wilkins, Drew Harp, Shelby Carter, and Heath Smith also scored for the Red Sox.
A four-run third inning was the key to the Athletic victory. Devante Brown, Brian Rolin, John Dixon, and Dominique Hubert scored during the inning.
Cardinals 7
Rangers 1
The late game Monday saw the Lions Club Cardinals pound the Atmore VFW Rangers by a score of 7-1
Darren McGhee led the Cardinals on the night, batting 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored. Jordan Sasser also scored twice for the Cardinals; and Aaron Purvis, Cole Boatwright, and TyJustin Brown each crossed the plate once.
Malcolm Williams scored the lone run on the day for the Rangers in the second inning after reaching on a single and then being driven in by Ryan McGhee.
Tigers 9
Warriors 5
Tuesday saw more exciting action at Tom Byrne Park, as the Rotary Club Tigers cruised past the United Bank Warriors by a score of 9-5.
Dustin Wilson, Tacorian Brown, and Chase Lang all scored two runs apiece for the Tigers. Jaylen Henry, Blake Quimby, and Joseph Pearson all pitched in another run.
Marshall Rolin led the Warriors in the losing effort, batting 2-for-3 and scoring two runs. Cody Merchant, C.J. Pierce, and Hunter McKey scored the other three Warrior runs.
Rangers 20
Athletics 2
The Atmore VFW Rangers got in the win column in a big way in the late game Tuesday, crushing the First National Bank Athletics by a score of 20-2.
Every batter who came to the plate for the Rangers would later cross it. Tywan Dixon was the big bat for the day, batting 3-for-3 with four runs scored, a double, and a walk. Gavin Smith, Malcolm Williams, Justin Smith, Dalton Phillips, and A.J. Matthews all scored twice for the Rangers.
Tanner Kirk scored a run for the Athletics.
Tigers 8
Red Sox 6
The Rotary Club Tigers held off a late rally by the Joey's Furniture Red Sox Thursday evening in winning their second game of the season, and sending the Red Sox to an 0-2 early record.
The Tigers built a 6-0 lead early, and led 8-2 before a late rally attempt by the Red Sox fell short.
James Dean led the Tigers at the plate, batting 1-for-2 but reaching base three times and scoring on all three trips. Tacorian Brown scored twice for the Tigers; and Dustin Wilson, Jaylen Henry, and Chase Jaye all scored once.
Dillon Rolin, Brett Wilkins, Clayton Vickery, Chase Jackson, and Drew Harp scored runs for the Red Sox.
Warriors 4
Cardinals 3
The United Bank Warriors got in the win column for the first time on the young season by holding off the Lions Club Cardinals in the late game Thursday.
Marshall Rolin, C.J.Pierce, and Cody Merchant provided all the offense for the Warriros, with Rolin batting 2-for-3 with two runs scored; and Pierce and Merchant each batting 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Christian Swartzendruber, Nicholas Linam, and Aaron Purvis provided the runs for the Cardinals.