WINDSOR
The Southampton baseball team traveled to Windsor on Thursday evening for the first of two meetings this season. Outside of a three-run home run in the third inning, the Dukes (3-1, 2-0 in the TriRivers District) kept the Indians (0-2, 0-2) off the bases on the way to a 8-3 victory.

Windsor drew first blood, when an error put a runner in scoring position for the Dukes. A base knock in the bottom of the second inning put a runner on first, and a throwing error to get him leading off the base allowed him to reach third standing up. A base hit to left field by sophomore first baseman Gregory Ashburn brought him across the plate for the first run of the ballgame.

That was short-lived, however, as the Indians took the lead on a three-run home run from senior Hunter Peck in the top of the third. A leadoff walk by junior second basemen James Williams and subsequent sacrifice bunt put a runner on second with Peck on deck. An an attempted throw toward third to get the lead runner on an infield hit was late, leaving two on for Peck’s blast. The wind likely aided in Peck’s homer, but nonetheless gave the road team a 3-1 lead.

The Dukes regained the lead in the bottom of the frame, as two Southampton errors allowed runners that otherwise would have been out to reach base. Another single put a runner on first, but the Indians fumbled the exchange at second, attempting to start a double play. A double steal and fielders choice out at second allowed the Dukes to climb within one run and keep a runner at first base.

Peck, pitching his third inning from the mound, would walk the next two batters to load the bases, and a wild pitch allowed Windsor to tie the game. A double down the line would give the Dukes a 5-3 lead and chased the pitcher from the game.

Sophomore Nash Warren replaced Peck in the bottom of the fourth, and yielded two runs of his own. It looked as if Warren, who pitched a no-hitter last year against Greensville, would cruise through the frame, striking out the first two batters he faced. That was short lived, though, as he walked the next two Dukes and hit a third to load the bases. Another walk pushed the lead to three before a two-run double from senior shortstop Alec Kiser gave the blue and gold an 8-3 lead. Kiser was for 4 for 4 at the plate with 5 RBIs.

That advantage would hold, but not without a few flashy plays in the field saving the day. In the top of the sixth, Southampton had runners on first and third out with only one out. A long fly ball out to center field seemed deep enough to score the lead runner, but an excellent throw from senior Chris Funai home and subsequent relay to second base caught the runner at first trying to tag to end the inning.

The Dukes have a week off before returning to the diamond on Tuesday, April 14, when the Park View Dragons come to town. Thus far, the team is undefeated at home, beating the Bruton Panthers earlier this season.

The Indians, meanwhile, are back in action on Tuesday, April 7, hosting the Oscar Smith Tigers of Chesapeake. First pitch of both contests are scheduled for 4 p.m.