Big Bats Boost Broadway to Second Win

By Mitchell Broughton
In the second game of the championship series between top-seeded Broadway and second-seeded New Market, six home runs were hit between the two sides. Broadway claimed five of those long balls in part of a12 hit, 11-4 win to take a 2-0 series lead.
 
The Shockers struck first in the bottom of the second when Henry Delavergne pulled a two-run homer over the left field bullpen wall to give New Market an early lead.
 
Broadway would have an answer, and what an answer they had. In the top of the fourth Tyler Ault opened up the Bruins’ scoring with a homer of his own over the plywood signage in left-center field. The next batter was Chase DeLauter, whose power has been recognized around the league based on the number of times he’s been walked, threw hands out and a low and away fastball that carried over the fence as well—back to back home runs to tie the game. Travis Reifsnider reached second base after Shockers catcher Matt Moon overthrew the first baseman following a dropped third strike. A John Judy single brought in Reifsnider and gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead.
 
Broadway’s offense would not stop. Chase DeLauter showed why he was the unanimous MVP with two more homers, making that three for the night in three straight at bats. Most teams in this year’s playoffs have elected not to pitch to him, and those who do most of the time wind up regretting it seconds later when the ball soars over their heads.
 
Matt Meiser went 3-for-3 with a three run home run as well late in the game. Tyler Ault in addition to his fourth inning long ball, almost did it again but instead landed himself on second after a ground rule double. DeLauter, Ault, and Meiser all had three RBIs.
 
JMU lefty Liam McDonnell was fantastic at the stripe for the Bruins. In six innings he struck out ten while just allowing five hits and that two-run homer to Delavergne. Former JMU lefty Colton Harlow got the start for New Market. Harlow recorded six strikeouts in five innings but gave up seven hits and five earned runs.
 
Broadway needs just two more wins to claim the title and will host the next matchup of the best-of-seven championship series tomorrow night at Eagle Field, where first pitch will be thrown at 7:30. Most are expecting a highly touted matchup on the mound between Pitcher of the Year and ERA leader Adam Riggleman for Broadway and All-RCBL pitcher and strikeout leader Darrell Thompson for New Market.
 
FINAL: Broadway 11 New Market 4. Win: Liam McDonnell (4-1). Loss: Colton Harlow (1-2).