Photo by Nick Henthorn Martins Ferry’s Hunter Shutler prepares a pitch on Monday during the Purple Riders’ home victory over the Bellaire Big Reds. Shutler struck out six across five innings in the game, and scored twice on the basepaths.

MARTINS FERRY — The baseball season is still young, but the Martins Ferry Purple Riders looked to be in mid-season form on Monday, putting up runs aplenty at home against the rival Bellaire Big Reds and finishing the game ahead of schedule, 11-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Martins Ferry led 10-1 going into the bottom half of the fifth, and a sacrifice fly from Eli Smith ended the game. Smith finished with three RBI by way of his game-winning sac fly and a two-run double he laced into the left field corner in the bottom of the third inning.

The third was the start of the Purple Riders’ scoring spree, plating four runs in the inning. Colby Kropka also came through with two RBI in that inning, dumping a two-out single to shallow center.

“They’re a true definition of a team,” Martins Ferry head coach Anthony Reasbeck said after the game. “Everybody kind of needs each other on this team and it shows. There’s not one just complete guy, we’re a true team right now and it’s kind of fun to be around.”

Martins Ferry picked up the pace even more in the fourth inning, scoring six runs. Kropka finished with four RBI in the game, while Kolson Ludolph, Ayden Ludolph, Luca Shane and Alex Reese all also drove in runners.

“Everybody just can’t stink on the same day,” Reasbeck said of his team’s big offensive outing. “Baseball’s a tough game, it’s meant to make you look bad– but everybody can’t stink on the same day. There were a couple guys who were 0-fer in the lineup, and there were a couple guys who were 2-3, something like that. That’s kind of how baseball goes. If we all don’t stink on the same day, we’ll be alright.”

Bellaire took the first lead of the day, the Big Reds’ Landon Preston bringing home leadoff man Luke Heatherington in the top of the first. Martins Ferry starting pitcher Hunter Shutler did not allow another hit after the first inning, and struck out six while pitching the full five innings.

“He got much better as the day progressed. He kind of came into his own in the third and we knew the game was pretty much over. Once he comes into his own, he’s pretty good.”

Bellaire used three different pitchers on Monday but could do little to slow down a hot Purple Riders offense. Grant Vasey started the outing for Bellaire and pitched into the fourth, but was saddled with the loss. He stuck out three.

“Our starting pitcher came out and he started strong,” Bellaire head coach Bailey McGrath said. “He had a good outing last week, we were confident in him. Seemed like he just didn’t have his stuff today, and it happens, it’s baseball. Their guy clearly did. He came out and he started strong, ended strong. We got one on him early and he shut us down from there. He had his stuff and he really brought it today.”

Martins Ferry travels to Buckeye Local on Tuesday. Bellaire is scheduled to play at Barnesville on Wednesday.