By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

It wasn’t true grits or game for the singing senators Thursday Thursday afternoon

Being their second straight 9 Inning game Santiam went to battle against South Salem and were able to win their 10th game of the season, 6-4 at Glimore Field.

Down 2-0 Santiam took the lead with three runs before the Saxons regain at 4-3 lead, before the Senators knotted it up at four entering the sixth inning.

Down but not out in this rainy game, Senators (10-4) took advantage of two hit batters and a single that set up a Riley Nichols RBI single to give them the lead in the top of the seventh.

As the defense Santiam settled in in the final innings, they bend but didn’t break to hold South Salem to no runs for the remainder of the game as Brayden Neuharth added an insurance run in the Top of the ninth to ensure the 10th win of the season.

“I always enjoy games like this, it just means we’re playing well as a team, we’re stringing hits together and the team is just working,” said Nichols on the game.

Noah Ferguson, who played on one of the Junior Varsity squad this past season at South, knew that this game was fun; but he knew it meant impressing Saxon Head Coach Chris Riley for next baseball season.

“It felt good playing against them,” said Ferguson.  “That’s the Varsity coach up there so it just gave me a chance to impress him and maybe be another guy on his Varsity squad next year.  I know all of them, it was fun playing against them, we all know each other.  It was a good time.”

Ferguson had two hits and made a nice play on defense from his second base position against his High School Thursday.

Up next for the Boys of Santiam will be the McMinnville Tournament in McMinnville.  Friday’s game at 11:45 will be at Patton Middle School and the Senators will be playing a doubleheader

“We’re definitely ready for it after this one, I don’t know what else to say about that,” said Neuharth with a smile.

Follow Jeremy McDonald on Twiter at @J_McDonald81 or like jmcdonaldmedia on Facebook!

PHOTO GALLERY (PICTURES BY JEREMY MCDONALD)