RCBL Round-Up 6/17

​By Dean Barker
Two and a half weeks into the 2024 RCBL season, things are starting to shape up for a competitive pennant race. Five teams are .500 or higher, and three teams are within a half game of each other at the top of the league.

#1 Bridgewater Reds (6-2)
Eager to avenge their finals loss last season, the Bridgewater Reds have jumped out to first place. The Reds are averaging 8.75 runs a game, and two three game win streaks have propelled them to the top.

Up Next: the Reds will host the Braves on Tuesday, June 18 at 7 PM, followed by a home matchup with Broadway at 7 PM on Friday, and a doubleheader at Elkton on Saturday starting at 5 PM.

#2 Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks (7-3)
After missing the RCBL Semifinals & Finals for the first time since 2020, the Diamondbacks have emerged as a contender. Stuarts Draft dropped their first three, but have been the hottest team in the league since, winning seven straight.

Up Next: the D-Backs return to action at Montezuma on Friday night at 7, followed by a home game against Elkton on Sunday at 6:30 PM.

#3 Broadway Bruins (6-3)
After starting 5-0, the Bruins have leveled off, losing three of their last four. An impressive 5-1 win against Bridgewater on Saturday was followed by a 5-3 loss to Grottoes on Sunday. The offensive production has been steady, as Broadway is averaging 6.1 runs per game.

Up Next: the Bruins will be on the road this weekend, visiting Bridgewater on Friday at 7 PM, then Grottoes on Saturday at 6:30 PM, and Clover Hill on Sunday at 7:45 PM. 

#4 Grottoes Cardinals (5-4)
Grottoes started 4-1, lost three in a row, but won 5-3 at Broadway on Sunday night. A team batting average of .302 indicates that the Cardinals should be in the pennant race as the season goes on.

Up Next: the Cardinals travel to Clover Hill on Wednesday at 7:45 PM, followed by a road matchup with Massanutten on Friday evening at 7 PM and a home game versus Broadway on Saturday at 6:30 PM.

#5 Clover Hill Bucks (5-5)
After losing five in a row to begin 1-5, the Bucks have come storming back with four straight victories to reach .500. The pitching staff has settled down, allowing only seven runs total during the winning streak. 

Up Next: the Bucks host the Cardinals on Wednesday night at 7:45, travel to the Mountaineers on Thursday at 7 PM, then visit the Braves on Saturday at 6:30 PM, and return to the Buck Dome on Sunday to face the Bruins at 7:45 PM.

#6 Massanutten Mountaineers (3-6)
The Mountaineers have struggled in their first year in the RCBL, having lost three of their last four. They’ve been competitive, as three of their losses were by one run. 21 errors and 16 unearned runs have been the Achilles heel for Massanutten.

Up Next: Massanutten will host the Bucks and Cardinals on Thursday and Friday at 7 PM.

#7 Montezuma Braves (3-6)
Montezuma has struggled at the plate, yielding 61 strikeouts. The Braves snapped a three game losing streak with a 7-4 win at Elkton on Sunday.

Up Next: Montezuma will look for a big win at first-place Bridgewater tonight at 7 PM before hosting Elkton (7 PM), Stuarts Draft (7 PM) and Clover Hill (6:30 PM) Thursday through Saturday.

#8 Elkton Blue Sox (1-7)
The Blue Sox have struggled, with a run differential of -49. They did, however, pull off a surprising 8-5 win at (then) first place Broadway on June 12. This was their first win since the 2021 season.

Up Next: Elkton travels to the Montezuma Braves on Thursday, June 20th, followed by a 5 PM doubleheader vs Bridgewater on Saturday, and a 6:30 evening matchup at Stuarts Draft on Sunday.