Bandits bounce back after blowout

By Jerry Holsworth - sports@nvdaily.com

WOODSTOCK -- After losing to Fauquier on Thursday, Woodstock was faced with the daunting task of facing Covington, a team that had dominated them earlier in the week by eight runs.

The River Bandits, however, responded with a convincing 9-2 win against the Lumberjacks, relying on superb performances in every phase of the game.

"Covington has had our number all season," Woodstock coach Donn Foltz said. "After our loss last night I was worried about how we would respond. Our guys really came through and did a great job."

The prime example of the River Bandits' turnaround was second baseman John Oropeza. The Central Missouri sophomore was 0-for-3 on Thursday against Fauquier and committed two errors. Against the Lumberjacks, he went 2-for 4 with a pair of RBIs, and made several spectacular plays at second base.

"Tonight was very different," Oropeza said. "I had to dig down and see what kind of player I actually am. It was great to come back like that."

Woodstock batters took turns clubbing balls off Covington starting pitcher Danny Desimone. The Kentucky freshman took the loss allowing nine runs on 12 hits. He struck out five and walked three through 4 2/3 innings.

"All of our guys played great tonight," Foltz said. "Derek Vigoa had several great plays at shortstop, and Jonathan Koscso had his share of great plays at third base. We were also hitting the ball in bunches, which is always good to see."

The River Bandits' big innings came in the fourth and fifth. With the scored tied 1-1, Woodstock scored four runs on three hits in the fourth to pull ahead 6-2. Oropeza's single to right scored Vigoa and Koscso. Michael Garza and Eric Kroll also got RBIs in the inning.

The River Bandits added another three runs in the fifth, this time with two outs in the inning.

After Matt Blow led off the inning with a single to center, the next two Woodstock batters popped up to first and struck out. Oropeza got the River Bandits back on track with a single to center that scored Blow. Koscso, Garza and Stephen Hunt followed with three straight singles. Garza's hit scored Oropeza, and Hunt's scored Koscso to put Woodstock up 9-2.

"It was just great to get a win against those guys," Oropeza said. "Our pitching, hitting, and fielding all came through tonight. I was seeing the ball well at the plate, but all of our other batters were having great nights too."

Woodstock starter Corey Witkowsky got the win for the River Bandits. The Barry University freshman gave up two runs on seven hits. He struck out one and walked three through six innings on the mound.

The only bright spot for Covington was a solo home over the center field fence to lead off the second by Brandon Lower

"Our mental approach to this game was awful," Covington coach James Conrad said. "It looked like our guys were playing the game on their heels. We had three good innings, then we just fell apart."

The River Bandits also got excellent relief performances from Dustin Galbraith, Trent Landa and Ryan Kahn. Each pitched one scoreless inning.

Besides Oropeza, Garza was 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs. Koscso was 3-for-5 with an RBI. Blow and Shawn Ablett were both 2-for-3 at the plate.

Blow, Hunt and Ablett had an RBI each for Woodstock.