RCBL Recap 7/17: Cardinals Outlast Braves, Bucks Take First, Bruins Crush Blue Sox

By Dean Barker

After retiring from the minor leagues on Friday, Austin Nicely hit a three run home run in his first game back with the Grottoes Cardinals and helped them to a 17-11 win over the Montezuma Braves. With the win, the Cardinals improved to 13-9, while the Braves fell to 9-12.

“It’s always fun playing with these guys, two cousins, getting to play for my dad, it’s always a good time,” Nicely said. “It’s better when you do have a little success and find the pitch that you can hit, and hit it pretty good.”

Tucker Garrison (5-3) struck out seven in five innings to get the win for the Cardinals. Kyle Measell (2-1) gave up nine runs in three innings to take the loss.

The Cardinals went up 4-0 in the first inning with Nicely’s home run and an RBI groundout from Garrett Huffman. The Braves put five on the board in the third, but the Cardinals came back with an explosive offensive night. Every Cardinal had at least one base hit.

The Cardinals will host the Broadway Bruins at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, July 18. The Braves will travel to the Bridgewater Reds on Tuesday, July 18 at 7:30 pm.

Alex Knicely scored the go-ahead run in the tenth on a passed ball, and the Clover Hill Bucks beat the Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks 10-9 to take first place in the RCBL. With the win, the Bucks improved to 15-6, while the Diamondbacks fell to 9-14. 

Tyler Conley (2-1) pitched two scoreless innings with one hit, one walk and two strikeouts to get the win. Chandis Goff (1-2) pitched two thirds of an inning and gave up one earned run with no hits, three walks and no strikeouts to take the loss. 

Luke Shifflett hit a grand slam in the first, and the Bucks took a 6-0 lead after the first two innings. The Diamondbacks staged a comeback, scoring three in the third, four in the fifth and two in the seventh, and had a 9-6 lead going into the ninth, but a home run from John Siciliano tied it up, and sent the game to extras. 

The Bucks will host the Montezuma Braves on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 pm. The Diamondbacks will travel to the Bridgewater Reds on Thursday, July 20 at 7:30 pm. 

The Broadway Bruins took a no-hitter into the fourth inning and mercy ruled the Elkton Blue Sox 13-0. With the win, Broadway improved to 12-10, while Elkton fell to 0-23. 

Due to technical difficulties, complete pitching stats and a winning pitcher could not be given. Dalton Benson pitched four innings and gave up just one-hit, Ty Sharpe pitched two one-hit innings, and Ross Conley was on the mound when the game ended.

The Bruins scored at least one run in every inning. Carl Keenan went 3-4 with three RBIs, including a two run homer in the fourth. Austin Whetzel was 2-4 with four RBIs, including a three run shot in the fifth.

The Bruins will travel to the Grottoes Cardinals on Tuesday, July 18 at 7:30 pm. The Blue Sox will travel to the RCBL Shockers on Tuesday, July 18 at 7:30 pm.

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