Somerset Berkley turns tables on Dighton-Rehoboth

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

Carpenter throws strikes for Raiders

Somerset Berkley’s Kyle Sherman Jr. steals second base as Dighton-Rehoboth’s Cole Viveiros is late on the tag during a baseball game Thursday. MATT STONE — BOSTON HERALD

Dighton-Rehoboth’s Charlie Roth throws to first after missing the tag on Somerset Berkley’s Jayden Cruz during a baseball game won 8-3 by Somerset Berkley. MATT STONE — BOSTON HERALD

Dighton-Rehoboth catcher Brennan Silva makes a catch during a baseball game against Somerset Berkley. MATT STONE — BOSTON HERALD

Somerset Berkley’s Kyle Sherman Jr. screams out as he scores against Dighton-Rehoboth’s Gavin Salera during a baseball game. MATT STONE — BOSTON HERALD

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By Jack Murray

Correspondent

SOMERSET >> Efficient pitching and an aggressive approach at the plate helped steer Somerset Berkley to an 8-3 baseball victory over South Coast Conference foe Dighton-Rehoboth.

The Raiders smacked eight hits and drew six walks in the winning effort. The Falcons also had eight hits, but Raiders’ starting pitcher Brady Carpenter only allowed one walk and some timely fielding held off many threats.

The victory also avenged a 10-9 loss to the Falcons earlier and put the Raiders in the driver’s seat to win the conference. Head coach Jason Martin attributed consistent strikes and clean defense as big reasons why his team came out on top.

“The difference was that we threw strikes today,” Martin said. “Last time we didn’t command the strike zone. Our approach at the plate has simplified over the last seven games and it shows.”

Carpenter and Falcons starter Gavin Salera both got through the first inning unscathed but the Raider bats weren’t going to be silent for very long. The bottom of the order came up clutch first, with Kyle Sherman Jr. securing a one-out single, stealing second and then eventually scoring on an RBI single from Ryan Crook.

“Any part of our lineup can hit,” Crook said. “Pitchers usually think that the bottom of the order can’t do anything but more often than not our team gets contributions from the bottom of the order.”

Alex Crook would drive in Ryan Crook to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead and then Carpenter carried that momentum into a clean third inning.

“That’s who he is,” Martin said of Carpenter. “He’s never going to overpower anybody but he has a great curveball and a really good changeup. He pitches backwards and calls his own game. The goal is to pitch to contact in three or less pitches and he does that very well.”

The fifth was when the Raiders put up a dagger with seven runs. Jacoby Davidson hit a two-run double and Jayden Cruz hit a two-run triple. Cruz scored when he swiped home plate on a passed ball.

“We run the bases extremely well,” Martin said. “We’re always thinking two bases ahead and making sure to swipe that back. We utilize our speed as a weapon.”

Lucas LeTourneau smoked a solo home run in the fourth to give Dighton-Rehoboth some life, but Carpenter said the runs on the board allowed him to have a short memory.

“It’s the best feeling, honestly, knowing that your team has your back defensively and offensively,” Carpenter said. “You can pitch freely, do your thing and play your style of game.”

Ryan Crook would double and eventually score in the fifth to extend the lead to 8-1. The Falcons scored two off of Carpenter in the top of the seventh, but he said the consistently excellent play from his fielders made his job easier.

“That’s the best part about being a pitcher,” Carpenter said of his team’s strong defense. “As long as I pitch to contact and keep the pitch count low we will win most of our games.”

The Raiders (11-3) have now won seven straight games. Crook said the way the team played was the formula to earn these victories.

“Brady pitched great today,” Crook said. “He got outs, which was all we needed, and we had great communication throughout the field to get those outs.”