Cardinals hold off Blue Sox comeback

By Tyler Carney
Elkton fought back valiantly against the Cardinals but came up short on a rainy night in Grottoes. 10-8 was the final but the Cardinals led 8-2 at one point in what turned out to be a thrilling game.
 
The Blue Sox started the game firing getting two runners on base with a single from Devin Powell and an E6 that got Dusty Cash on, a triple into the gap from catcher Ty Mauer who showcased some incredible speed would drive in both runs quickie getting the Blue Sox ahead 2-0 but Mauer would end up stranded.
 
The Cardinals would strike back quickly however, scoring three of their own in the first. Off a RBI single for Dillion Nicely and a RBI double from Natty Solomon who would steal 3rd. After stealing third a E2 on an attempted throw to second would allow Solomon to score, ending the Cardinals runs for the inning.
 
Elkton would get out of the inning after only three batters and the Cardinals would widen their lead with 2 more runs in the second. Those runs both came on a 2 RBI double from Dillion Nicely.  Elkton would again go down 1 2 3 and the 3rd would see 3 more runs for the Cardinals. This time it would be Luke Tomajcyzk with an RBI single and Garrett Gargano with a 2 RBI single to extend the lead to 8-2. Tomajczyk would hit another RBI single in the 4th to make it 9-2. However the Cardinals would then step off the gas.
 
The top of the 5th lead off with Elktons 8 hole hitter Mitchell Gaskins who would also end the inning and have two at bats. Gaskins would score on a base loaded E6. Dusty Cash would then step up and hit a 2 RBI ground rule double after the center fielder nearly made a great play on the ball. Next Mauer would then hit another 2 RBI triple, and the scoring onslaught would finish off when a bobbled bunt attempt from the 3rd baseman would allow the batter to reach and a runner from third to score. The inning would end with the 10th batter, Gaskins, who had a run, struckout. The score was now 9-8.
 
Perhaps the inning was a wake up call for both teams as good defense and pitching locked up both lineups. Cameron Irvine of the Cardinals would add an insurance run on a RBI groundout to 3rd that scored Dalton Nicely.
 
That score would stand as the Blue Sox were never able to get another run home.
 
“Today was a good game of baseball, you saw our hitting come along,” said Elkton Manager Mike Sutton, “ It was one of those days you play good enough to win and just don’t”
 
Sutton also believes as the summer goes along and he gets all his players in the bullpen and lineup Elkton will compete more often.
 
“ Defensively we made some mistakes, couple that with some bad pitches they were able to make some good plays,” said Grottoes manager Tim Nicely, “We faced some adversity today with the conditions and we fought through a big inning, but we need to swing that bat better going forward.”
 
 As for pitching Adam Dofflemyer would start for Grottoes and he’d only give up two runs and pitch well until the 4th. In the 4th Trey Deane would come in and do well until Elktons monstrous 5th inning. While his defense did not help him, he would be relieved at the  5 ⅓  mark by Evan Cash who saw the Cardinals out of that 5th. Cash would end up earning himself a win and would pitch until the 8th where Noah Burtner would earn himself a save pitching well.
 
On the Elkton side, Colby Cave got the start, however Grottoes’ hot start at the plate saw his day end quickly and Jacob Wakefield would come in in the 3rd. Wakefield would start shaky but would pitch well enough to give Elkton a chance in the game. He would earn the loss as the 9th run was scored on him. Garrett Critzer would finish the game coming in in the 7th finishing the game out.
 
Grottoes now 4-2 will face the top placed Bridgewater Reds(6-1) on Friday at home hoping to avenge their opening day loss.
 
Elkton now 0-9 but almost got a taste of it will face Broadway (4-1) at home also on Friday.

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