Russellville goes 0-3 in pool play in Capital City Invitational

Friday was by far the toughest day on the 2019 schedule for the Russellville Indians.

Three pool play games in one day at the Capital City Invitational against three ranked opponents: Class 5 No. 2 Hickman, Class 4 No. 2 Helias and Class 3 No. 6 Blair Oaks.

But for the Class 2 No. 2 Indians, who are playing in the Invitational for a second straight season, they're not in awe of the competition anymore. They expect to be competitive and win games.

"Playing a step up in competition is what we've tried to establish," Russellville coach Lucas Branson said after the Indians opened with losses of 8-2 to Hickman and 12-2 to Blair Oaks at American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.

"But we've also tried to establish the mindset that we can compete with anybody. It doesn't matter what class they are, whether they're ranked or who they are. Based on what our expectations are, this was not the caliber of play we are capable of playing at."

Russellville held Hickman scoreless for the first two innings. The Kewpies picked up a run in the third, then plated three more in the fourth to take a 4-0 lead.

In the fourth, Hickman had base hits that nicked off the gloves of Russellville shortstop Mason Stewart and first baseman Austin Roe on tough plays.

"It's the way the game goes," Branson said. "Sometimes the ball bounces your way, sometimes it doesn't."

The Kewpies started making things happen the second time through the batting order. For the Indians, it took until the third time through.

With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Roe reached base on an error and scored on a single by Trenton Morrow. In the seventh, Chandler Miller reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second and third base on wild pitches and scored on a single by Ethan Huff.

"Our offensive philosophy is built upon being aggressive early in the count, hitting good pitches," Branson said. "For some reason right now, we are really struggling with the mindset of going up there and attacking first pitches."

Matt Miller went 2-for-3 with a single and a double for the Indians, who finished the game with five hits against Hickman's Peter Hinshaw in a complete-game effort.

Riley Marcum took the loss for the Indians, allowing four runs on six hits with one walk and one strikeout in four innings.

Nick Thompson pitched the final three innings in relief. In the top of the sixth, a line drive off the bat of Francisco Villarreal struck Thompson in the stomach, but he was back on the mound after being down on the ground for a few minutes.

"You would have to go out there and carry Nick Thompson off the field," Branson said. "His leadership and his toughness mindset, it's something that's become contagious with some other people."

Blair Oaks took advantage of four Russellville errors in the top of the first inning, leading to six unearned runs.

"It was very frustrating," Branson said. "Again, not the caliber of play we're capable of."

The Indians scored both their runs on sacrifice flies. Morrow's flyout to right field in the bottom of the first scored Stewart, while Landon Plochberger's flyout to left scored Collin Lueckenotte in the fourth.

Blair Oaks scored twice in the third inning and three more times in the fourth, but couldn't plate another run until the seventh.

Dawson Koch was the losing pitcher for Russellville, finishing with two walks and three strikeouts in four innings. Stewart pitched the last three innings, striking out four.

The Indians finished with just four hits. Stewart went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles.

"This was our 10th game, and we have yet to really put together what I consider quality, consistent at-bats from inning to inning," Branson said. "Over the next couple weeks, it's got to get better."

In the third game of the day, Russellville lost 3-0 to Helias to finish 0-3 in pool play.

Russellville had just four hits off Kaleb Haley, who struck out nine batters in the shutout.

Roe was the losing pitcher for the Indians. In five innings, he gave up one run on three hits and struck out four.

Russellville (6-5) will play Fatima for seventh place at 10 a.m. today at the Legion Complex.