Parker shuts out Rickardsville as Ramblers continue series dominance

The Ramblers continued their recent run of dominance in the series against Rickardsville, winning for the eighth time in the last nine meetings between the two squads. Key West defeated Rickardsville 2-0 on Sunday night behind a masterful performance on the mound from Shawn Parker (pictured). The Ramblers (15-13) ran their EIHL mark to 4-3.

Parker went all nine innings on the way to a six-hit shutout in Rickardsville. He had little trouble with most of the Rickardsville lineup except for No. 3 hitter Ryan Jantz, who went 3-for-4. Parker allowed more than a single hit in an inning just once and struck out seven of the 33 hitters he faced. He walked only three.

First baseman Chris Briggs came through in a starring role at the plate with a 3-for-3 night that included an RBI, a run and a walk. He added an insurance run with an RBI single in the fifth inning.

Crabill plated the game's first run with a run-scoring fielder's choice in the second inning to give Key West a lead it would never surrender against Rickardsville hurler Aaron Schwoebel.

Monday: Farley 8, Key West 2

Farley remained hot and tagged Rambler starter Anthony Ruden for eight runs to pick up an 8-2 victory over Key West in a Prairie League matchup at Farley on Monday. The Ramblers' Prairie League record dropped to 8-3.

Key West mustered only two runs despite piling up nine hits in the seven-inning affair. Austin Bradley busted loose for a 2-for-3 game with two doubles. He scored a run and nearly drove home a run, but Crabill was cut down at the plate in the sixth on Bradley's second double.

A key play came in the top of the fifth with Key West trailing 4-2 with the bases loaded and Briggs in the batter's box. Briggs lined right to the second baseman, who completed a double play (4-6) by catching Spain off of second to end the threat.

The Ramblers went down 1-2-3 in the seventh to finish the game.

Both Craig Kerper (2-for-2) and Mike Pudlo (2-for-4) collected two hits for the victors.

UP NEXT: The Ramblers return to EIHL play on Tuesday as Worthington visits A.J. Spiegel Park in Peosta for a 7 p.m. tussle.