(South Pass City, Wyo.) – Riverton’s Vintage Base Ball team won its third Gold Rush Days Title in four years Sunday with a 5-2 victory over Lander. Riverton finished the tournament undefeated and won it’s 6th overall GRD Title in 18 years. Hudson was the defending champion. The games are played using 1900-era rules and equipment.
Offensive stars for the tournament were Lander’s Brian Oland who smashed two long home runs, one a grand slam, and Riverton’s John Horn, who also hit two round-trippers. Lander’s Matt Heller and Dalton Crane and Hudson’s Gerald Childers each had one shot over the fence. Riverton’s Johnny Souza smacked three singles and a double in the tourney, while Horn added a double and two singles in his at bats. Nick Esposito hit two doubles for the red and white.
Riverton’s bats came alive during the tournament as the team scored 44 runs on 41 hits while stranding 25 players on base. Lander followed with 23 runs on 33 hits and stranding 20. Hudson managed 18 runs on 19 hits with 28 players left on base. South Pass City scored only 5 runs on 13 hits while leaving 15 players on base.
On the mound, Riverton’s Souza struck out 11 and pitched five scoreless innings in his two winning appearances while Lander’s Oland pitched 18 K’s and six scoreless innings in his two full game appearances, winning one.
Tournament Scores – Day One
Riverton 12, Lander 4
Hudson 6, South Pass City 4 (16 innings)
Lander 5, South Pass City 1
Tournament Scores – Day Two
Riverton 27, Hudson 2
Lander 13, Hudson 10
Riverton 5, Lander 2 (Championship)
Gold Rush Day Vintage Base Ball Titles
Lander – 9 (’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, and ’14)
Riverton – 6 (’02, ’05, ’08, ’15, ’16 and ’18)
Hudson – 3 (’01, ’09, and ’17)
South Pass City – 0