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BY STEVE FRANZELLO

Yesterday's "Bash-at-the-Bend" baseball tournament at Riverbend High School was one of the most high-scoring in the event's five-year history.

The host Bears and fellow Commonwealth District member Mountain View each won two games and scored a combined 65 runs in the one-day competition.

But the scores and results of the games were just part of what the day was all about.

"We got to play a lot of people in different positions," said Riverbend coach Tim Stimmell. "But also, I think everybody left here having a good time whether they won or lost."

Mountain View coach Craig Lopez, whose teams have participated in all five tournaments, agreed with Stimmell.

"It's a good time and we look at it as a chance to stay fresh. We come here to play and win," Lopez said. "Tim does a great job and the hospitality is always great."

Riverend's heavy-duty offense was in high gear for both of the games it played yesterday.

In their opening 24-1 victory over Fredericksburg Christian, the Bears pounded out 19 hits, including four by center fielder Nick Lacik. Nick Gianforte and Taylor Fennnewald supplied the long-distance power with home runs.

Lacik continued his hot hitting several hours later, when the Bears (6-2) took the field against King George and blanked the Foxes 9-0 in the final game of the day.

The senior outfielder added another four hits in four trips to the plate, and scored twice.

"I was seeing the ball really well today," Lacik said. "It was also good seeing some different arms."

King George starter Ethan Slemp showed good control early in the contest. But in the bottom of the second, Riverbend took charge with five runs on five hits and never looked back.

Finnewald, who drove in Lacik with the game's first run in the first inning, had the big hit in the inning--a two-out double that plated two runs and put the Bears in front 6- 0. Donald Sherman added one of his two hits and two RBIs in the scoring spree.

The Bears added single runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings to complete their scoring. Lacik and Sherman both played key roles with run-producing hits.