Meyer's two homers help lead Indians win season opener

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Matthew Meyer got the 2014 season started with a bang Wednesday afternoon for the East Coweta Indians with a pair of home runs while Jaquez Williams had two hits and four RBIs in an 9-5 victory on the road over the Northgate Vikings.

The Indians jumped on Vikings starter Armand Upshaw early as he walked three of the first batters he faced before Austin Jones reached on an error that scored Cameron Smith from third.
Williams followed with a two-run double to left that scored Bryce Gemmel and Stephan Cruver to give the Indians a 3-0 lead.
After EC starting pitcher Austin Bellamy held Northgate scoreless in the bottom of the first, his teammates gave him more of a cushion in the top of the second inning as Smith reached on a one out walk and after Upshaw retired Gemmel on strikes, Meyer hit a 3-2 offering from Upshaw over the center field fence for a two-run home run and a 5-0 lead.
The Vikings got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning as Angelo Rivera reached on an infield single and eventually scored on a two out single by James Poropatic.
Northgate, who lost 4-3 to the Troup Tigers on Monday, cut the deficit to 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning as Jordan Schmitts reached on a one out single and eventually scored with two outs in the frame on a wild pitch.
The Indians responded in the top of the fifth inning with four runs off reliever Andrew Simpson to take a 9-2 lead as Gemmel reached on a leadoff walk and Meyer followed with his second home run of the game.
After Cruver grounded out, Jones reached on an infield error and Williams followed with a flyball over the fence in right center field for a two-run home run and the Indians had a comfortable lead.
After four innings in which he surrendered five hits, two runs and recorded two strikeouts, Bellamy was relieved by Tyler Exley in the bottom of the fifth inning and the latter would have his struggles as would his fielders.
An error, a bloop single and miscommunication in the outfield caused a bases loaded situation with one out for Rivera who singled home Andrew Burden from third and Schmitts followed with a sacrifice fly to center field that scored another run in the frame and cut the margin to 9-4.
The Vikings scored the final run of the game as Rivera, who ironically is the son of East Coweta public address announcer Ernie, lined a solo home run over the center field fence for his third hit of the day.
The elder Rivera was in attendance to watch his son play.
The Indians will face the South Forsyth Eagles Thursday evening at 5:55 while the Vikings will host the Sandy Creek Patriots Friday at 5:30.