By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

Playing from behind was not a problem for the Raiders Monday afternoon at Raider Field.

Three Rivers scored two runs in the sixth inning as they went on to win their first game against Mineral Area 7-6 before rallying from a 4-1 deficit to win 13-4 and earn the sweep.

"It was definitely a total team effort," Three Rivers coach Stacey Burkey said. "We played very relaxed and aggressive."

The Raiders (12-10, 8-6 XVI) were down 6-5 going into the sixth inning before they made their comeback bid. Nick D'Amico led the frame off by reaching on an error before Gower singled. After Hughes reached on a fielder's choice, runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Tyler Smith had a sacrifice fly to score Gower which tied the game at six. Later in the inning, with two outs, Hughes scored on a passed ball on what would end up being the game-winning run.

"Definitely games as close as that one, little things are huge," Burkey said. "Being able to move runners without getting a hit proves to be very important."

The Raiders trailed early in the game as well. Mineral Area started the day off with two runs and got a home run from Seth Blackwell, but the Raiders responded to tie the game in the bottom of the inning.

"We had three straight hits in the first and that set the tone that we are going to battle right back throughout the day," Burkey said.

The Raiders were behind 4-1 in the second game heading into the sixth inning before the offense erupted. It scored 12 runs on 10 hits, including a grand slam from Nate Booker and a three-run home run from Shane Crossen.

"To start the inning, we had seven straight get on base and it got contagious," Burkey said. "We looked good at the plate and every guy up and down the lineup had some great at-bats."

The grand slam from Booker on the first pitch from Mineral Area hurler Steven Johnson took the Raiders from being down 4-2 to up 6-4.

"Nate felt confident that the pitcher had to come in and go right at him," Burkey said. "He left the pitch over the plate. When it left the bat, I didn't think it was deep enough to get out but he got enough of it."

Neither of the Raiders starters got wins but relief pitcher Ryne Millsap got the win in game one with 1 2/3 innings while Jason Hammer got a relief win in the second game with 2 1/3 innings of work.

"The starters Josh Cruse and Tyler Jinks didn't have their best stuff but battled well," Burkey said. "The bullpen guys did well and faced the minimum."