V-Nuts take win over Native American Warriors
Published 6:56 pm Wednesday, July 7, 2021
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The V-nuts Cole Hayes (2) is caught in a run-down after being picked off at first, Warrior shortstop Jesus Garcia (28) applies the tag.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders V-Nut starting pitcher Joel Barker (10) fires a warm-up pitch just prior to the start of the game against the Warriors. Barker struck out all three batters in the top of the first but was pulled after he appeared to pull a muscle during the inning.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The Warriors Johnny Lowery (18) swings through strike three for the final out of the top of the first inning. V-Nuts starting pitcher Joel Barker (10) struck out all three batters he faced his only inning pitched.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Warrior shortstop Jesus Garcia (28) fires to first in time for the first out of the bottom of the first on a ground ball off the bat of the V-Nuts Van Gupton.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The V-nuts Dariah Farley (7) just gets his hand back to the bag under Warriors first baseman Johnny Lowery (18) tag on a pick-off attempt in the bottom of the first.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The Warriors starting pitcher Luke Rattene (3) fires a first-inning strike against the V-Nuts.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The V-nuts Dariah Farley (7) is out at second as the Warrior shortstop Jesus Garcia (28) applies the tag on his attempt to steal the base in the bottom of the first.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The Warriors DJ Lowery (2) launches a pitch over the right-centerfield wall for a home run to open the top of the fourth inning.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders V-nuts second baseman Dylan Arnold (24) reaches for the throw and is able to apply a slap tag to the Warriors runner just in time for the out.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders V-Nuts shortstop Jessie Locklear (12) looks to fire to first for the final out of the top of the second inning after fielding a grounder off the bat of the Warriors Hugo Cabrera.
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BY ANDREW SMITH
STAR CORRESPONDENT
Although there was baseball at Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark on Tuesday night, it wasn’t from the usual suspects in the River Riders. Instead, it was an exhibition game between two travel teams in the Virginia-based V-Nuts and the Native American National Team.
The Native American National Team was formed last year during the pandemic as a way to find connections. The team began by meeting and going over fundamentals over video calls, and since then has been able to practice and play together in person.
As the name would suggest, all members of the team can trace their ancestry back to one of the over 400 Native American Tribes throughout the history of North America.
The contest began with a pair of scoreless innings for each staff. The scoreless tie was broken in the bottom of the third inning.
There, Dariah Farley was able to cash in a leadoff walk to give the V-Nuts a 1-0 lead. However, Farley was left stranded at third after the triple to keep the deficit at one for the Native American National Team.
In the top of the fourth, the Warriors were able to even the game at one thanks to a leadoff home run by DJ Lowery. Then, the floodgates opened for the V-Nuts in the bottom half of the inning, as they sent eleven batters to the plate en route to scoring six runs and taking a 7-1 lead into the fifth.
The score held there until the top of the seventh, where the Native American National Team inched closer with a sacrifice fly by Antonio Martinez scored Jessie Locklear, making the game 7-2.
The Native American National Team got two more runs in the eighth to make it 7-4, but that score would hold the rest of the way.
The next game at Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark will be another exhibition, as Team USA’s Collegiate National Team will be holding a scrimmage Friday night as they make a tour of the Appy League.
The River Riders will be back in action on Thursday night as they begin a two-game road series against the Greeneville Flyboys. They will return home Saturday for a two-game series against the Johnson City Doughboys.
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V-Nuts, 7-4
Warriors 4 5 3
V-Nuts 7 12 0
