LOCAL SPORTS NEWS — Baseball is a game of chess played on a diamond. Unlike checkers, where players merely react to an opponents last move, baseball requires thinking several moves ahead. Coaches strategize. They anticipate. Every pitch, every stolen base, every hit requires an instant recalculation as a team moves through the innings.

This season, the MCHS Raider coaching staff have played chess exceptionally well. On the sidelines, they appear calm, cool and unbothered but just under the surface, there’s some serious coaching happening.

It’s a truth that fellow District 8A coaches recognized when they named Raider Head Coach Randy Morey as Coach of the Year. He and assistant coaches James Sparkman, Chris Thomas, and Corey Mullens led the Raiders to the number one spot in District 8A during the regular season and the post season honors just keep coming. On Tuesday, the Raiders beat Eagleville 7-4 to become the Region 4A champs.

Gage Burt led for Moore County and snagged the win

Both teams stayed scoreless on Tuesday until the second inning when Kyler Parker hit a fly ball and reached base off an error by the Eagleville center fielder – allowing Hayden Cooper to score one run. On the next at bat, Gage Burt singled on a line drive to left field – scoring Ryder Morey. Eagleville then went three up and three down to end the third inning with the Raider up by two.

The Raider offense keep things going in the fourth inning. Donavin Pearson scored when the Eagle pitcher balked, then Hayden Cooper hit a ground ball scoring Keller Morey. Next up, Ryder Morey doubled scoring Cooper to make it 6-0. Two plays later Gage Burt singled and Ryder Morey scored to make it 7-0.

The Eagles did manage two runs in the fifth inning and two more in the seventh but it wasn’t enough.

Gage Burt did an outstanding job on the mound for Moore County. He pitched over six innings giving up just four hits and four runs while striking out nine. Burt also led for Moore County with three hits on four at bats.

The Raiders will move on to a Substate game on Friday. They will host the loser of the South Pittsburgh v. Gordonsville game that happens on Wednesday afternoon. To view a complete bracket, click here. •

{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.}