Raiders earn runner up in District 8A tournament

Multiple Raiders and Head Coach Randy Morey won District 8A honors following last night’s final tournament game in Lynchburg. The Raiders now move on to Region 5A action. (Photo Courtesy of Jeff Reed Photography)

LOCAL SPORTS NEWS | Lynchburg — This year’s post season play has been a bit like the movie Groundhog’s Day for the Moore County Raiders. Not only did they face off with Eagleville twice in the regular season but also in three separate games in the District 8A Tournament. And they will head to Eagleville next Tuesday for a Region 5A championship game.

Tuesday’s championship game was the fourth match up for the Raiders and Eagles this season. Moore County managed two narrow regular season victories against Eagleville. On April 5, they travelled to Eagleville and blanked the Eagles 2-0. The following day, the Eagles traveled to Lynchburg, where Moore County earned a one point win. Last Saturday, the Raiders could not stop an “on fire” Eagles team at the plate and lost 21-10.

Last night, the Raiders needed to beat the Eagles not once but twice to earn the District 8A title. They managed a narrow first game victory behind the outstanding pitching of Ryder Morey. Eagleville scored late in the second game to edge Moore County 4-2, making them the District 8A Champs forcing the Raider to settle for runner up.

Game one was a pitching battle

Moore County carved out a narrow, one-point victory in game one thanks to an outstanding performance by Ryder Morey. The senior right-handed pitched all seven innings — allowing just six hits and one run while striking out eight. Morey faced 29 batters and three 94 pitches.

The Raiders managed a two run leads in the third inning and held the Eagles scoreless until the fifth inning. At the plate, Chris Martin, Keller Morey, Kaden White, Gage Burt, and Kyler Parker each collected a hit.

Late score cost Moore County in the second game

In game two, Moore County got out to a 2-1 lead in the first inning when Chris Martin grounded, scoring one run. In the bottom of the fifth, the game remained tied at two with Eagleville batting when Kolten Daniel drew a walk, scoring one run and giving the Eagles the lead.

On the mound, Keller Morey took the loss for Moore County. He allowed four hits and three runs over a little over four innings – striking out six. Kaden White and Ryder Morey led the Raiders in game two with a hit each. Hayden Cooper, Ryder Morey, and Kyler Parker all stole bases.

Multiple Raiders earn District 8A honors

District 8A officials named Gage Burt, Kaden White, Kyler Parker, Dustin Thomas, and Jacob Baker to the All District team. Raider Ryder Morey earned Pitcher of the Year. Raider Chris Martin shared Player of the Year honors with Eagleville’s CJ Bega. Raider Head Coach Randy Morey was named District 8 Coach of the Year.

The Raiders will now move on to play Eagleville (again) in the Region 5A Championship game next Tuesday in Eagleville. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only daily newspaper in Lynchburg. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}