Reds Mercy Rule Bucks in Battle for First Place

By Tyler Carney
The rain held off in the Valley and allowed the Reds to dominate the Bucks and send everyone home early. The Bucks only managed one run off of Reds ace Chris Huffman as the Reds won 14-1 in 7 innings.
 
The battle for sole possession of first place started great defensively with both pitchers working their stuff well for the first two frames, however the Reds would score 5 runs in the bottom of the 3rd.
 
Leadoff hitter Derek Shifflett would double and then score on an RBI single from Brett Tharp. Tharp would eventually get to 3rd then he’d cross the plate on an RBI single from Mason Luck. The Reds would then load the bases and Ryan Williams would draw a walk bringing Chris Huffman into score. To cap the inning Grey Sherfey would hit a 2 RBI single but the Reds would strand two in their big inning.
 
The top of the 4th saw some life from Clover Hill as they managed to get some offense going however the only run they scored was on a wild pitch, that runner was Kevin Navedo.  The Bucks would then strand 3 runners and take us to the bottom of the 4th.
 
The Reds would pad their lead scoring two unearned runs as Huffman reached on a throwing error by the second baseman and Brett Tharp scored on that play. A weird play where the Bucks had Chris Huffman dead to rights on a rundown but allowed him to return to first. Had they got him out they would’ve ended the frame. However an RBI single from Mason Luck would score another run.
 
The Reds were not done, adding one run in the 5th on a solo home run from Jordan Yankey. Then in the 6th the Reds would send 12 hitters to the plate in a 6 run onslaught of an inning.
 
The second hitter of the inning Corbin Lucas started it off with a solo no doubt home run that no outfielder even bothered to chase. After loading the bases an RBI single from Jordan Yankey would add another run on. The bases stayed loaded and the Reds earned walks to score the next two runs. Shifflett and Noah Cornwell would earn those walks. To cap off the scoring Chris Huffman would deliver a 2 RBI double after flying out to lead off the inning. The inning would eventually come to an end as the Reds left the bases loaded.
 
No scoring in the 7th from the Bucks meant the game was called due to mercy rule 14-1 after just 7 innings.
 
“ We started putting together great ABs and had timely hitting and that always helps get runs across,” said Reds pitcher Chris Huffman, “ We were firing on all cylinders but they're still a really good team, we were just on our A game.”
 
The Bucks put 4 pitchers on the mound to try and slow down the Reds to no avail. Sam Imeson would get the start going until the 5th. He started strong but a big third from the Reds saw his good day end. Imeson would also earn the loss, his first of the season. In the 5th Payson King would come in and get a K but then gave up the first home run of the game. In the 6th he would manage two outs before being replaced by Cole Freeman. Freeman was meant to get out of the jam but not his day as he couldn’t manage a single out and allowed 4 runs. He was quickly replaced by the Bucks final pitcher Clay Guyer who would get the final out.
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On the Bridgewater side Chris Huffman would throw a complete 7 inning game. He’d throw 104 pitches and strike out nine Bucks only allowing the one run.
 
The Reds now 10-3 claim sole possession of 1st place in the RCBL, their next time out will be away against the 6-5 Broadway Bruins June 23rd.
 
The Bucks fall to 9-4 and will look to get their mojo back June 21st on the road against the still winless Elkton Blue Sox.