Bridgewater Holds Off Elkton in Game One

By Nolan Potts
Bridgewater jumped out to a 4-0 lead through four innings, but Elkton scored two in the sixth and two in the eighth, necessitating the Reds to bring in RCBL MVP and Pitcher of the Year Chris Huffman to finish the game out as the Reds took the first game of the series, 5-4.

Derek Shifflett made the start for the Reds and went five innings, allowing two unearned runs and just two hits while striking out eight. Elkton got to reliever Nick Griffin and had the bases loaded down 5-4 with one out in the eighth, and that’s when the Reds pulled Huffman in from shortstop. He got out of the eighth and left the bases loaded, and then set the Blue Sox down in order in the ninth.

Elkton’s starting pitcher Eli Hall did a good job of keeping the Reds’ bats in check, allowing nine hits and four runs (three earned) in his five innings. Reliever Colby Cave was fantastic out of the bullpen, going 1.2 innings while allowing no hits and striking out four.

Mason Hamilton had three hits for Bridgewater, while Ryan Williams and Corbin Lucas each had one hit and drove in two runs. Huffman also drove in a run.

Evan Sutton had two hits for the Blue Sox, while Tyler Stobbs, Wyatt Estep, and Zach Hafer each had one. Estep and Grayson Smith both drove in a run.

Game two is Tuesday night at Elkton.

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