Cardinals Mercy Rule Two Games in a Row

By Olivia Carson
Coming out of their biggest win this season against the Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks at the beginning of this week, the Cardinals managed to obtain an even larger win against Elkton this Friday night July 2 at home once again. The game ended midway through the seventh inning leaving the Cardinals at a 13 - 2 advantage.
 
The Grottoes winning pitcher for the night was Adam Dofflemyer who threw 6 innings completing 4 strikeouts and allowing the only 2 successful runs from the Blue Sox.
 
Scoring started in the bottom of the first inning for the Cardinals when Dylan Nicely tripled to score Keegan Woolford. Without giving the Blue Sox a chance to score, the Cardinals continue to step on the gas in the second and third innings. A RBI single from designated hitter, Tucker Garrison, and a 2 RBI double from second baseman Clayton Michael puts the Cardinals up 4 - 0 in the second.
 
Garrison stepped up to bat again in the bottom of the third with bases loaded and sent one far to right field, singling and scoring 2 runners. With bases still loaded, Michael followed with a walk to first, pushing David Wood home. To end the inning with a 9 - 0 lead, Woolford singled and sent both Garrison and Wood home.
 
Elkton picked up some slack at the top of the fourth after a walk from JJ Loker, a single from Tillman Butler and some miscommunication from the Grottoes outfield allowed Robert Carbello to single and score both runners. 
 
After the Blue Sox were unable to get on base, Dylan Nicely returned in the bottom of the fifth inning with bases loaded to score Boogie Saunders and Dalton Nicely off a base hit. Dylan, Michael and Garrison all tied with a game high of 3 RBI’s for the night.
 
Will Craig stepped in for Seth Berry to pitch for the Blue Sox at the bottom of the sixth, right before an RBI single from Dalton Nicely put the Cardinals up 12 - 2. Soon after, a fielder’s choice allowed Hayden Lutz to score the 13th run for Grottoes moving into the seventh inning.
 
Kevin Saylor stepped in to pitch for the Cardinals in the last inning, assisting his infield in making a double play at first and second to clear the bases and collect 3 outs for Elkton ending the game with a 13 - 2 win for Grottoes.
 
The Cardinals were able to improve since their last matchup against the Blue Sox with 13 RBI’s and 13 runs compared to 10 RBI’s and 11 runs. Grottoes continues with a 7 - 4 record and plays at home again tonight July 3 at 7:30PM against the new market Shockers. The Blue Sox fell to
1 - 9 on the season and will take on the Bridgewater Reds at Stonewall Memorial Park July 3 for the second time.