RCBL Recap 7/18: Bruins, Braves Can’t Complete Comeback, Shockers Slaughter Blue Sox

By Dean Barker

​In what might have been a playoff preview, the fourth place Grottoes Cardinals held off a late comeback from the fifth place Broadway Bruins to win 7-6 at home. With the win, the Cardinals improved to 14-9, while the Bruins fell to 12-11.

Andrew Baugher (2-2) pitched seven innings, giving up five runs with three strikeouts to pick up the win. Noah Burtner struck out four in relief to get his second save of the year. Bryce Turner (0-2) gave up six runs in three innings to take the loss.

Dalton Nicely helped get it started with a three run double in the second inning. Clayton Michael and Cameron Irvine hit solo homers later on. The Bruins mounted a comeback, scoring two in the fifth and sixth, and one run in the seventh and eighth, but left seven runners on in the last three innings.

The Cardinals will host the RCBL Shockers on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 pm. The Bruins will travel to the Bridgewater Reds on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 pm. 

Chris Huffman hit two home runs for six RBIs, and the Reds had enough insurance runs to top the Montezuma Braves in an 11-10 victory. With the win, the Reds improved to 15-6, while the Braves fell to 9-13. 

Derek Shifflet (6-0) pitched seven innings, giving up eight runs (seven earned) with six strikeouts to get the win. Elijah Dunlap (0-5) gave up five runs in five innings to take the loss.

Every Reds hitter in the starting lineup had at least one base hit. A six run sixt, which included a grand slam from Huffman, proved to be all the Reds would need. The Braves scored three in the seventh and two in the eighth, but they went down 1-2-3 in the ninth.

The Reds will host the Broadway Bruins on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 pm. The Braves will travel to the Clover Hill Bucks on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 pm.

The Elkton Blue Sox were unable to hold on to an early lead and lost 16-3 at the RCBL Shockers. With the win, the Shockers improved to 16-7, while the Blue Sox fell to 0-24.

Cole Orr (1-0) threw five innings with four strikeouts for the win. Taran Baker (0-5) gave up eight runs in three and a third innings to take the loss. 

Luke Keister went 3-3 with six RBIs. Kaden Spaid hit a three run home run in the fourth to cement the win for the Shockers. Keister hit a two run single in the second to give the Shockers the lead for good.

The Shockers will travel to the Grottoes Cardinals at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, July 19. The Blue Sox will host the Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks on Friday, July 21 at 7:30 pm.

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