The Newton Royals looked to remain unbeaten on the young season as they headed out to Marcella Field in Boston to take on their division rivals the Cubs. Eric Walz started for the Cubs while the Royals sent Dan Pelberg to the hill who no hit the Cubs last season.
The Cubs jumped on the board in the bottom of the first when center fielder Mike Carpentier singled to lead off the inning and scored on a one out single by shortstop Nick Runyan. The Royals tied it up in the top of the third when Royals center fielder Nate Coolidge walked, stole second, and scored on Pelberg's RBI single. Coolidge also singled in the fifth inning which moved him into a tie for second place on the Royals franchise hit list with 38.
It was a pitchers duel all game between Walz and Pelberg until the bottom of the fifth. After a walk, a single, and a double steal put runners at second and third, Carpentier ripped a double deep down the left field line scoring what would turn out to be the winning runs. The Cubs would add on one more run in the bottom of the sixth making it 4-1.
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Walz went 5 innings giving up one run on 4 hits while walking 5 and striking out 5 picking up the win. Pelberg went the distance for 6 innings giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 9 taking the loss. Cubs pitcher Afshin Chaharmahalian pitched two scoreless innings of relief picking up the save.
The Royals look to bounce back next week when they take on the Northshore Giants at Palmer Cove Field in Salem.
