Montezuma Prevails in Pitchers Duel

By Leyton Pullin
The Montezuma Braves prevailed over the Bridgewater Reds 2-1 in comeback fashion lead by a Tyler Smith 2-run homerun in the eighth.

Both starting pitchers started off superb as Hunter Clever for Montezuma threw five innings with out a hit and only gave up one run and two hits all together in his 6 total innings. The on;y run Clever gave up came in the 3rd inning as Dylan Horne reached with a leadoff walk. Grey Sherfey would also reach on an overthrow by Isiah Blanks to put runners at 2nd and third base. Brett Tharpe would try to lay down a squeeze bunt but would get put out at first and not allow the run to score. Derek Shifflett would follow Tharpe and hit a groundball to Blanks once more with the infield in. Blanks would come up with it but held on to the ball and did not throw it to the plate allowing Horne to score and put Montezuma up 1-0.

In the top of the 4th Montezuma had a chance to strike back as PJ Hanisak would single followed by a Logan Jones single that would move Hanisak up to third base. However, Forrest Shuey would be called out on strikes to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 4th inning Bridgewater had a chance as Logan Phelps drove a ball to center field and looked to have Armstrong burned but he made a spectacular diving catch to rob an extra base hit from Phelps and kept the no hitter alive.

Grey Sherfey came to the plate for th Reds in the 5th inning and broke up the no hitter with a single to right field. He would later be stranded at 2nd base after a stolen base.

The Reds had another chance in the 6th as logan Phelps would single with two outs and would advance to third on two wild pitches. However, he would also be stranded on third base after the third out.

In the top of the 8th Manager Chris Rush would make the decision to pinch hit Tyler Smith for JT Stevenson after Stevenson had bunted all three at bats prior. Smith dug in with a runner on first as Armstrong led the inning off with a walk. The 100th pitch of the night for Pablo Suarez would end up over the left field wall as Tyler Smith hit a 2-run homerun to put Montezuma on top 2-1.

The Braves would call on their reliable closer Keegan Oliver in the 9th and he would strike out the side to get the save and clinch the win for the Braves.

Montezuma (3-1) picks up the win off of some superb pitching performances. Brayden Collier gets the win (1-0) after coming in for Clever in the 7th and did not allow a run and only gave up one hit. Keegan Oliver got the save (2). The Braves will host the New Market Shockers (5-2) on Wednesday June 23 at 7:30PM in a clash of two teams at the top of the RCBL standings.

Bridgewater (1-7) saw an outstanding start from Pablo Suarez and saw one bad pitch cost them the game. Suarez (1-1) went 8 innings and struck out 7 and only gave up 6 hits but still takes the loss. Bridgewater will host the Clover Hill Bucks (3-3) in a matchup of two long time rivals.