CRESTVIEW— A warm late spring day was a perfect setting for Thursday’s opening day of the 20th Annual Justin Richards Scholarship Baseball Tournament.
If Richards was catching the action from Heaven’s grandstands the former Bulldog infielder had plenty to smile about. A Crestview team split into two squads showed no signs of depleted manpower.
Crestview Gray was 2-0 on the day with wins over Baker and Choctawhatchee. Crestview Red also went undefeated with wins over Baker and Niceville. Crestview pitchers allowed just four runs in the four games.
Crestview and Baker baseball photos from Thursday's Justin Richards tournament>>>
“I was real proud of all the guys,” Bulldog Coach Tim Gillis said. “It’s been a tough week for us with workouts and all. We got here early today and worked out again.
“These kids have really fought through it themselves. But they have done a great job.”
Crestview Gray 6, Baker 1:
Sophomore pitcher Milt Bouchard picked up the complete game win to lead the Bulldogs past the Gators. Alik Whited drove in a pair of runs for Crestview. Devin Williamson, Dalton Banach and Bryant Berry each had run-scoring singles for the Bulldogs.
Kolby Roy had a couple of hits for Baker and Ryan Weidenhammer had a solid hit.
Crestview Red 8, Baker 1:
The Bulldogs scored four runs in each of the first two innings to quickly put the game out of reach over an outmanned Gator squad.
Zach DeGraaf had two hits, scored two runs and drove in a run to led the quick-strike Bulldog attack.
Corey Armstrong, B.A. Larkins and Kaleb Casey also reached and scored in the first inning. Brayden Moore, Ryan Helms, DeGraaf and Austin Polk scored in the second inning.
Helms and Vincent Wesolowski teamed to hold the Gators to two hits. Weidenhammer and Bubba Ellis each had a hit for the Gators.
Baker was playing without several starters who were attending a church camp.
“Once we get all those guys back we will be fine,” Baker Coach Adam Henry said. “I’m playing a lot of young guys that have never played on a varsity field. We are trying to get adjusted, but we will be OK.”
Crestview Gray 3, Choctaw 1,
Pitching again ruled the day for the Bulldogs as they edged the Indians.
Colter Hancock reached on an error in the first inning and scored on a Rod Bouchard hit to give Crestview a lead the Bulldogs would cling to until the sixth inning when they added a pair of insurance runs.
Matt Bottoms walked and later scored on a Milt Bouchard sacrifice fly. Berry legged out an infield hit and scored on a Matt French single.
Jeremy Willis and Whited teamed up for the win.
Crestview Red 2, Niceville 1:
Polk scored in the first and sixth innings providing the Bulldogs with all the offense they needed to nip the Eagles.
Polk walked, stole second and scored on an Armstrong single in the first. Polk walked again in the sixth and scored as Armstrong was safe on an Eagle error.
Niceville’s lone run came in the top of the sixth inning.
Ryan Weekley worked six innings on the mound to get the win. Wesolowski picked up the save.
Gillis was pleased that the Bulldogs were able to minimize the number of pitchers used heading into the final two
“ I think our pitching should be OK,” he said. “That’s a good thing about today is we didn’t have to use a lot of pitching. That helps when you are playing in a tournament when you could possibly play five games (for each team).”
EmailNews Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Big day for Crestview at Justin Richards tournament (PHOTOS, VIDEO)