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The Cave Spring Knights and the Hidden Valley Titans renewed their in-county rivalry on Monday afternoon. With less than three miles separating the schools, it was the Knights who would get bragging rights today by defeating the Titan’s 8-1.

Two of the area’s finest sophomore pitchers were on display in the Knight’s Connor Lewis and the Titan’s Sean Gibbons. Both pitchers made quick work of the batters in the first two innings, allowing one hit and striking out four.

The Titan’s took the lead in the top of the third when Matt Bolinger reached on an error to start the inning then advanced to second base. Brian Henry drove in Bolinger which turned out to be the only run the Titan’s  would produce all afternoon.

Through the first three innings Gibbons faced nine batters and did not allow a baserunner.  However, the Knight’s lit-up the scoreboard in the fourth, scoring five runs.

Jalen Buster singled to open the fourth, and stole second.  Trey Hopson and Caleb Pritchard were issued walks, and then Grant Wilson drove in Buster and Hopson with his two-RBI base hit.  Wyatt Hage singled toscore Prichard, and Charlie Bayo’s two out single scored Wilson and Hage, giving the Knights a four run lead at 5-1

In the fifth Buster reached on four balls and one out in the inning. Hopson, who tops the area stats in pitching and hitting, crashed a 1-2 pitch in the school bus parking lot for his fifth homer of the season.  The Knights would add one more to take the 801 lead which would eventually be the final.

Lewis was at his best today on the mound for the Nights, allowing just one run on one walk four hits and struck out six.