Reds Headed Back to Finals, Bucks Force Game 5

By Dean Barker
​The #1 Bridgewater Reds breezed past the #4 Grottoes Cardinals 11-4 in game four of the RCBL Semifinals to win the series 3-1 and advance to their second straight championship series. The Cardinals finished the season 19-15 in their second semifinal appearance in the last four years.
 
Derek Shifflett pitched a complete game and struck out eleven to get the win and improve to 10-0. Shifflett also pitched an Immaculate fourth inning, which consists of three strikeouts and only nine pitches. That is the second Immaculate inning for the Reds in the last two weeks, as Chris Huffman threw one in the first against the Elkton Blue Sox on July 25.
 
Trey Deane gave up five runs in three innings to take the loss and finish the season 0-3.
 
Every single Reds batter had at least one hit. Shifflett was 2-4 with two RBIs on a third inning single that put the game out of reach for good. Liam Simpson was 2-4 with four RBIs.
 
With their backs to the wall, the #2 Clover Hill Bucks stayed alive with a 7-2 win at the #3 RCBL Shockers. The win tied the series at 2-2 and forced a decisive game five on Sunday, August 6 at 7:30 pm.
 
Sam Imeson struck out four in eight innings to get the win and improve to 6-3. Kaden Spaid gave up six runs in six innings to take the loss and fall to 0-4.
 
Every Bucks batter in the starting lineup reached base at least once. John Siciliano went 1-4 with three RBIs, including a first inning two run double that gave the Bucks the lead for good. Kevin Navedo went 2-4 with a walk and a run scored.
 
The winner of Sunday’s game five at Clover Hill will travel to the defending RCBL champion Bridgewater Reds on Tuesday, August 8th at 7:30 pm.

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