Dunlap Tosses Complete Game Shutout

By Leyton Pullin
The Grottoes Cardinals have been known for lighting up the scoreboard over the past few seasons but Montezuma pitcher Elijah Dunlap held the Cardinals scoreless in a complete game for a 7-0 victory on Sunday.

The Braves knocked on the door a few times in the four innings but didn’t push any runners across.

Dunlap got his first run support in the top of the fifth as Adam Dofflemeyer took over on the mound for the Cardinals. Back-to-back singles by Gavin Rush and Andrew Barrese put two Braves aboard. A Hunter Clever walk later in the inning loaded the bases for Jonathan Sexton. Sexton delivered with a two RBI single to put the Braves up 2-0.

Later in the inning Connor Houser delivered with a two RBI base knock of his own to score Clever and Sexton stretching the Montezuma lead to 4-0.

In the top of the eighth the Braves would strike again, this time with two outs in the frame. Barrese would single driving Cude in to score putting the Braves lead to 5-0.

Grottoes would have a chance to put a run on the board in the bottom of the eighth as Jacob Merica singled and would advance all the way to third before he was stranded on a Cam Irvine ground out to end the inning.

In the top of the ninth Logan Jones delivered a base knock that got away from Merica in left field, allowing Sexton and Clever to score to extend the lead to 7-0.

Dunlap (1-1) went from start to finish for the Braves, only allowing six hits. The Bridgewater Eagle only allowed one walk and struck out two, relying on his defense.

Offensively for the Braves Sexton, Jones and Houser each had two RBI. Barrese also went 3 for 5 at the plate with an RBI.

Adam Dofflemeyer takes the loss for Grottoes and drops to 0-1 on the season.

Dalton Nicely was the only Cardinal with multiple hits, going 2 for 3 at the dish. 

Montezuma (2-6) will enjoy an off day Monday before hosting the Broadway Bruins (2-5) on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Grottoes (3-3) will also be back in action on Tuesday as they will travel to Stuarts Draft to take on the Diamondbacks (5-2). First pitch from the Diamond Club is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.