Big Sixth Inning Propels Bucks Into Finals

By Nolan Potts
Trailing 2-0 entering the sixth inning in Game 4 of the semifinals, Clover Hill put up seven runs and pulled away to win Game 4 over Massanutten by a final score of 8-4 and win the series, 2-1.

The Bucks advance to the RCBL Finals and will take on Bridgewater beginning Sunday night.

Massanutten got on the board first in this one on a two-out infield single by Colin Troilo that scored Harrison Madagan, and then an errant throw on the play allowed courtesy runner Brady Hoover to score, as well.

Cole Orr threw extremely well for the Mountaineers, throwing five scoreless innings to start the game before running into some trouble in the sixth. He left the game after 5.1 innings and the game tied at 2-2 with two runners on, but Clover Hill drove in those two runs and added three more to make it 7-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth.

In that inning, Kevin Navedo, Alex Knicely, and Kevin Kirk each had an RBI single, while pinch hitter Drew Easter drew a bases-loaded walk, and Luke Shiflett had a two RBI single. The Bucks also scored two runs on wild pitches.

Massanutten would respond in the bottom of the sixth when they scored on a passed ball, and then Nate Brookshire hit an RBI single to drive in Harrison Madagan.

Navedo led off the seventh with a double for the Bucks and would score on a 6-4-3 double play two batters later to make it 8-4.

Tyler Conley picked up the win for Clover Hill, working his way into the sixth inning before turning it over to Grant Thomas who went the rest of the way allowing just two hits, no runs, and striking out four to pick up the save.

At the plate, Navedo had three hits, while Shiflett and Josh Eberly each had two hits.

For the Mountaineers, Harrison Madagan went 2-3 and five others each had one hit.

Massanutten finishes their inaugural season in the RCBL with a record of 16-15 after starting the season 3-9.

Clover Hill is now 19-12 overall and travel to Bridgewater (24-6) for Game 1 of the Finals on Sunday night at 6:30 PM.

 

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