AHOSKIE – Ridgecroft School took a lead for good in the sixth inning and captured a back-and-forth game from Pungo Christian Academy 13-5 here Thursday. The Rams secured the victory thanks to ten runs in the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the first inning Zeb Askew singled in the hole, and then advanced to second on a groundout. He would score when Nick Hoggard delivered a double into the gap in left centerfield. Wyatt Whitley followed with a double to center, scoring Hoggard and the Rams led 2-0 after the first inning of baseball.

Pungo got one run back in the top of the second, and then took the lead, 3-2, with a pair of runs in the top of the third.

The Rams tied it in the bottom of the frame. David Basnight reached on a fielder’s choice; then with Jacob Parker running for the catcher, Whitley singled Parker to second base. Tucker Lane’s fly ball was then dropped in centerfield, and Parker scored on the two base error to tie the game at 3-3.

After a scoreless fourth inning, the Raiders re-took the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth.

Trailing 5-3 in their half of the fifth, Ridgecroft blew it wide open in the bottom of the sixth.

With two runners in scoring position, Askew stroked a single up the middle that scored a pair to tie it at 5-5. After a walk to Basnight, Hoggard hit a rope to center scoring Askew with the go-ahead run. Whitley then singled to right to score Basnight. Another walk loaded the bases before a single by Lane Slachta plated two more runs. A single by Bryce Stevens scored the 12^th run of the game and the 13^th and final run came home on a passed ball.

Stevens earned the win for Ridgecroft. He threw two innings, allowing no runs, a hit, two strike outs, and no walks. Hoggard started the game for the Rams, he threw four innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits, striking out five, and walking none

Ben Simmons took the loss for Pungo. He tossed one and a-third innings, giving up six runs, four hits, and striking out one. Archer Johnson started the game for the Raiders, going four innings, allowing three runs, six hits, and striking out three.

Ridgecroft had 12 hits in the game. Whitley and Stevens were both 3-for-4, while Askew and Hoggard each collected two hits for the Rams. Hoggard, Askew, Slachta, and Whitley each drove in two runs each.

Pungo Christian Academy collected nine hits; Jonathan Langley led the Raiders with three hits in four at bats. Pungo tore up the base paths, as three players stole at least two bases led by Simmons with two.

Ridgecroft (9-7, 4-5, TIC) opened play in the Sgt. Will McLawhorn Scholarship Tournament at Northeast Academy on Monday against Hertford County.   They’ll play a second game in Lasker today (Tuesday) before closing the regular season April 27 in Merry Hill against Lawrence Academy.