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75 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, April 26, 2005 Today's News | Shop Our Valley | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery | Contact Us SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 26, 2005 Rogue River�s Josh Hill (6) and Spencer Frantz (3) celebrate after each scored in the Chieftains� Skyline Conference doubleheader against Mazama. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Chiefs take charge in Skyline Rogue River sweeps Mazama to pull ahead in conference race ROGUE RIVER — Rogue River’s bats were hot, then they were not. Still, the Chieftains found a way to sweep a crucial Skyline Conference baseball doubleheader Monday from Mazama. The two teams entered the fray tied for the conference lead, but Rogue River showed off its bats in a 9-4 triumph in Game 1. The offense wasn’t as potent in Game 2, but pitcher Gary Richardson and the defense were enough for a 4-3 win. The Chieftains vaulted into sole possession of first place at 9-1. Mazama (10-7, 7-3 Skyline) is now two games back, while Henley (7-2) is second and Phoenix (6-3) fourth. "These two were really important," said Rogue River coach John White, whose team is 15-2 overall. "The last two years, we’ve been on the outside (of the playoffs) — barely on the outside — looking in. This year we’re hoping not to be in the situation. This gives us an opportunity to control more of our own destiny." Richardson (6-1) went the distance in the nightcap, giving up six hits and holding off a late Mazama rally. While he may not have had his best stuff on the mound, Richardson was 5-for-5 over both games at the plate. Advertisement "That might have been part of the reason he struggled a little on the mound," White said. "Maybe because he was out there running around on the bases all day." The Game 2 win didn’t come without some nerve-racking moments for the Chieftains. Rogue River spotted Richardson a 4-1 lead heading into the final frame. But the senior southpaw gave up an RBI single to Tim McGovern and a run-scoring double to Jared Caulfield that trimmed the Vikings’ deficit to one. Richardson, however, fanned pinch-hitter Jordan Nelson on three straight breaking pitches with runners on second and third to end the contest. "Gary wasn’t at his best," said White, "but he reached down deep for that strikeout." Game 1 was more to Rogue River’s liking. The Chieftains pounded out 14 hits to earn a victory in what White called the "best-hitting game we’ve had all year." Richardson and Mike Miller each went 3-for-3, while Spencer Frantz and Joey Parrillo had two hits apiece. Frantz belted a two-run home run in the third inning, his third of the year, and finished with four RBIs on the day. Miller also blasted his third homer of the season, a two-run shot in the fifth that put Rogue River ahead 9-3. "In that particular game, that’s the best we’ve hit all year," said White. "Not for total hits, just hitting the ball hard. "We’ve been working hard on hitting the last week. We’re not totally satisfied yet, but it was a very good performance." Justin Castro notched his fifth pitching win against one loss. FIRST GAME Mazama....................................000 030 1 — 4 7 4 Rogue River............................023 220 x — 9 14 2 Wagner, Holmes (5), Nelson (5) and Stratton, Metter (5); Castro and Reagles. W — Castro (5-1). L — Wagner. 2B — M: McGovern; RR: Miller 2, Frantz. 3B — RR: Richardson. HR — RR: Miller (3), Frantz (3). SECOND GAME Mazama....................................100 000 2 — 3 6 5 Rogue River..............................013 000 x — 4 7 1 Crewse, Nelson (4) and Stratton, Dean (3); Richardson and Reagles. W — Richardson (6-1). L — Crewse. 2B — M: Hummel, Caulfield 2. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Free Music Downloads Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Online Poker Slippers Student Loans Tatoo tcg student loan consolidation teleconferencing Website Design & Marketing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoos Advertisement s