Ripon took advantage of two hit batters and a pair of errors in the bottom of the first inning for five runs on the way to a 7-4 non-league win over the visiting Ripon Christian at Mistlin Sports Complex.

“It’s nice to get the win,” Indians coach Matt Gilmer said. “It’s a good rivalry between Ripon Christian and us. They always have a great team with great staff out there, so we always know it’s going to be a test.

“This was a big improvement from last week, when we just weren’t having the best quality ABs (at-bats). Today, we shortened up our swings, putting the ball in play and executed when we needed to. We are going down the right path right now.”

Renzo Garcia (2 for 3, two RBI, run) had the big hit of the first inning for Ripon (2-1) with a two-RBI double that plated Dawson Downs and Owen Wilbur to tie the game at 2-2.

“I just wanted to put bat on ball and make good contact,” Garcia said. “Everything worked smoothly.

“We had bases loaded and got the ball over the first baseman’s head. Two runs scored off of that and I put the burners on and got a double.”

Wilbur doubled and scored twice.

“After struggling a little bit last week, I had to change up my approach, put bat on ball and trust my swing and let it work for me,” Wilbur said. “It feels pretty good to come out here and succeed like I did today.”

The Indians added two more runs in the first inning on an error off the bat of Brody Hunt that scored Nate Dorn and Garcia.

Ripon Christian (2-3) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Grant Sonke (2 for 4) and Luke Crivello both singled to start the game. Sonke worked his way to third and then scored on Crivello’s single and Crivello came in on a sacrifice fly by David Koolhaas.

Josh Buffalow led off the Knights sixth with a double and scored on a balk. With two out in the seventh Sonke hit a towering shot to deep center and legged out an inside-the-park home run.

“I have been looking for it all year,” Sonke said. “We’ve only had four games but I finally let loose on one. It was my pitch – it was just right there.

“I wasn’t quite sure off the bat because I didn’t see where it landed, but as soon as I was at second I thought I could go all the way.”

Both Sonke and Crivello stole a base for Ripon Christian in the first inning.

“It’s no secret what we want to do,” Knights coach John de Visser said. “We want to get Grant (Sonke) on early, and we want to get our running game going so we have a bunting opportunity and we can drag him in. This team is really athletic this year. We can even run better than last year.

“We can do a lot of things offensively. We’ll get there, it’s just early, and this time of year is really frustrating. It makes you enjoy the end of the year when you get things put together.”

Ripon travels to Atwater on Friday afternoon at 3:30, and Saturday at noon Ripon Christian hosts Central Valley Christian of Visalia.