Dreher starting pitcher Chandler Knox struck out five, hit two batters, and walked none in a victory against Spring Valley at Forest Acres Classic on Tuesday. In a field full of ranked and highly regarded baseball teams, Dreher High School was looking for a little respect this week at the Forest Acres Classic.

The Blue Devils’ quest started successfully with a 15–5 victory against Spring Valley in a game that ended in the bottom of the sixth due to the 10–run rule.

“The thing with spring break tournaments is you want to be playing better coming out of them than you were coming in,” Dreher coach Pete Guyton said. “We’re fortunate to be invited to this tournament with this field, and, of course, the kids are excited since we’re just down the road.”

Dreher stumbled at the season’s start – the Blue Devils started Region 5–3A play 0–3 before winning their last three – and is the only unranked in–state team in the field. Hitting has been the primary culprit.

Dreher’s Alex Shaw hits an infield single to drive in the game’s first run during the Blue Devils’ 15–5 victory against Spring Valley on Tuesday at the Forest Acres Classic. “Our leadoff hitter, Bud Jeter, has been struggling a little lately, and we’ve been looking for the bottom half of the order to hit better all year,” Guyton said.

Both showed im- provement. Against Spring Valley, the bottom four batters in the order produced seven hits, drew four walks, and reached base in 14 of 17 plate appearances. Jeter set the tone with a leadoff double in the bottom of the first and went 5–for–6 scoring three runs.

Jeter’s double ignited a four–run first for Dreher, which never led by less than two the rest of the way.

Dreher catcher Chase Edgar tags out Aaron Langland attempting to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Gene Cone during the fourth inning at A.C. Flora High School on Tuesday night. Spring Valley (9–5) did its part to help the Blue Devils. Viking pitchers walked eight, hit two batters, and gave up 18 hits.

“We had been pitching great until today,” Spring Valley coach Charlie Wentsky said. “We haven’t been giving up walks or free bases. We just didn’t throw strikes.”

While Spring Valley pitchers consistently worked into trouble and failed to escape, Dreher starter Chandler Knox allowed 10 hits but didn’t walk anyone and hit only two. As a result, he stranded six runners and allowed runs in only two innings. In addition to Jeter, Alex Shaw contributed four hits in five at bats.