Late Inning Rally Sparks Royals Win

The Newton Royals took on division rival the Cambridge Thunder at Buckingham Browne & Nichols on Sunday in what would turn out to be a slugfest.  The two teams combined for 16 runs on 24 hits but a breakout game from Royals rookie Catcher Ramon Pascual would help the Royals come out on top.

The Royals offense struck early and often off Thunder Starting Pitcher Joel Autry.  Royals Center fielder Nate Coolidge singled to lead off the game and promptly stole second.  Coolidge scored on Shortstop Colin Walsh's booming ground rule double to centerfield.  Two batters later, Second baseman Bryan Weber would single home Walsh putting the Royals up 2-0. 

Pascual started another big inning for the Royals in the second with a single and a stolen base.  Left fielder Justin Chere drove in Pascual with an RBI single and three batters later, Joe Cloutier knocked in another run for the Royals.  Pascual would score again in the fourth inning on Chere's second RBI single putting the Royals up 5-0 after 3 1/2 innings.

Royals Starting Pitcher Dan Pelberg cruised through the first three innings but the Thunder erased the Royals' comfortable lead by plating two runs in the fourth and three in the fifth.  Pelberg finished the day going 3+ IP giving up 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 5, walking 1 and hitting one batter.  Pelberg's five K's helped him move into second place on the Royals franchise strikeout list with 81.

Heading into the top of the seventh, Autry was replaced by relief pitcher Tim Bransfield who immediately struggled with his command.  Coolidge led off the seventh with a walk and stole second.  He was driven home by Cloutier's second RBI single of the game.  A hit by pitch and then two straight walks forced in the second run of the inning for the Royals.  Bransfield was replaced by relief pitcher Joe Rodhouse and three batters later, Pascual ripped a double to left center clearing the bases.  An errant throw to third in an attempt to throw out Pascual went wide of the base and out of play allowing Pascual to score.  The six runs were the most the Royals have put up in one inning this season and the 11 runs scored during the game was their highest total since putting up 16 runs against the Thunder on August 19th of last season.

The Royals improved to 4-1 and look forward to taking on the Spirits Wednesday May 22nd at 8pm at Frey Playground in Lynn.