Royal wallops Granger, twice

Royal's Aaron Johnson smacks the ball into center field in the first Granger game. The Knights pounded Granger's pitching.

Coach Daren Christensen points out a positioning problem to two of his batters while there is a break in the action in the first Granger game.

by Royal Register Editor & Ted Escobar
| March 22, 2013 6:00 AM

Coach Daren Christensen points out a positioning problem to two of his batters while there is a break in the action in the first Granger game.

ROYAL CITY - Royal High took advantage of a young and inexperienced Granger team Saturday to turn its baseball season around.

The Knights swept the doubleheader at Granger, 20-1 and 22-2. That brought Royal's record to 2-3 after losses to Naches, 8-1 and 3-0, and Quincy, 2-0.

Brady Dixon opened the game with a ringing triple, and the Knights continued to put the ball in play in the opener. Kent and Sam Christensen combined to allow three hits and strike out nine batters.

Kent Christensen helped himself by going 2-5 at the plate and scoring four times. The freshman Sam Christensen went 3-5 and scored two times.

Senior Reed Lefler had a great game at the plate, going 3-3 with two walks. Every player and the subs recorded at least one hit and scored. The Knights went 19-38 with four walks.

In the second game, Senior Anthony Westcott started the game on the mound. He pitched three solid innings, allowing only two hits and striking out seven. Westcott also scored three times.

Reed Lefler continued his hot bat, going 2-3 and scoring three times. Kent Christensen went 2-5 and scored four more runs.

"Overall it was a great team effort, with every player getting hits and making plays in the field," coach Daren Christensen said.

The Knights continue the season this afternoon, hosting defending state champion Cashmere. It was Cashmere that knocked Royal out of the tournament last year.