By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

RESERVE – Through their first two playoff games, the Riverside Academy Rebels played two hard-fought games, winning both of them. Their playoff game against Episcopal would be no different.

The only difference would be the result.

Episcopal starting pitcher Ryan Burke struck out 13 batters in a 3-2 victory over the Rebels last Friday at Fernandez Field.

The win puts the Knights in the semifinals.

With the Rebels leading 1-0, the Knights put three runs on the board to grab a 3-1 lead at the end of the fifth.

After Nick Saltamachia grounded out to start the inning, the next six Episcopal hitters reached base. An infield error by Riverside, lead to the inning’s first run of the game. With the bases loaded, RA starting pitcher Jordan Remondet hit Briggs Mckay forcing Jeffery Murtagh to walk in from third base. Remondet had hit Mathew Shirley earlier in the inning.

A basehit off the bat of Lloyd Jones scored Wes Clark, who had been running for Jordan Ricks. The second hit of the inning resulted in the final run of the inning. A hit by lead-off batter Ronnie Causey scored Shirley, making the score 3-1.

In the bottom half of the fifth and sixth innings, Burke was dominating. He only allowed one baserunner while striking out five.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, centerfielder Josh Labiche reached second on a double, but was stranded when Chris Reeves and Remondet struck out to end the inning.

Things looked promising for the Rebels in the bottom of the seventh. A lead-off triple by Wes Hotard resulted in Riverside scoring its first run of the inning.

Hotard scored the Rebels second run on a passed ball. Burke, however, regained control and retired the next three batters he faced, ending the game and Riverside’s season.

Remondet was throwing well early in the game. He struck out the side in the top of the first and allowed only two hits through the first four innings. In the top of fourth inning, Causey singled, but was thrown out at second base by Riverside catcher Cavin Richmond, ending the inning.

Remondet was replaced by Jordan Poirrier in the top of the seventh inning.

After allowing a single to Lloyd Jones, Poirrier retired the side to end the inning.

Top hitters for Episcopal included Causey (2-4) Jones (2-3, RBI). For the Rebels, Remondet finished 1-3 as did Chris Reeves.

Burke’s threw all seven innings, giving up two runs and five hits.