Josh Barnett - Sports Editor

South Ripley's baseball team tied the game early in the first inning when Chris Buchanan scored off a Tyler Ester sacrifice in their season opener at home against North Decatur Saturday. The tie game didn't last as the Chargers added five more to their total to win 6-1.

Buchanan scored after getting walked and hit in in the first inning of play but from there the Raiders would only get one hit. In the bottom of the sixth Ester hit a double to give South Ripley their only hit of the game.

The Raiders pitching gave up seven hits and six runs in the game. Just one run in the game was earned
and the Chargers hit just two out of the infield. North Decatur scored one run in the first inning, one in the fifth, two in the sixth and two in the seventh to get the 6-1 victory.

Scott Hobbs was the Raiders' starting pitcher, pitching two innings and giving up one earned run. Brent Miller came in for Hobbs and pitched 2 innings giving up 1 unearned run. Jacob Lemon came in for Miller and pitched 2 1/3 innings giving up 3 unearned runs and Corey Yeomans closed the game pitching 2 1/3 innings giving up 1 unearned run.

South Ripley continued their season on Monday (stats were not available by press time) and they play again this Thursday at home again South Decatur.

Josh Barnett - Sports Editor

Osgood dirt late model racer, Shawn Negangard and Versailles racer, Terry Eaglin are revving up for a weekend of dirt track action at the Florence Speedway in Union, KY on April 9 and 10.

On Friday night Florence will host the first race of the season for the O'Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass Dirt Car Series, paying the winner $3,000. On Saturday night, also in Florence, it will be the first ever race for the newly formed North American Racing Association (NARA) series. The annual Spring 50 late model race on Saturday night will pay $10,000 to the
winner.

An added incentive for the drivers and fans is that the race is being taped for broadcast on ESPN2. It will be the first dirt late model event on ESPN since the early 1980's. It will be shown sometime this spring or summer. Fans are urged to get to the track early on both nights. For more information log on to www.florencespeedway.com and www.naradirtcar.com or the drivers' websites at www.shawnnegangard16.com or www.temotorsports.com

JOSH BARNETT PHOTO

Brent Miller releases the pitch from the mound in SR's game this past weekend. Miller pitched two innings giving up two unearned runs.