Royals Lose Second Straight

The Newton Royals took on a hard hitting Medford Titans team on Sunday at Brandeis University.  Two of the top pitchers in the RRBL squared off as the Royals sent Jimmy Selig to the hill while the Titans countered with 2011 RRBL Cy Young Award winner Mark Blake.

The Titans jumped on the board in the top of the first inning as Center fielder Phil Costello singled in the first run and Right fielder James Riordan drew a bases loaded walk putting the Titans up 2-0.  The Royals would get one back in the bottom of the second as Second baseman Bryan Weber led off the inning with a double down the left field line.  Scott Weber followed with a single and Third baseman James O'Neil drove in B. Weber with a sac fly.

Blake would retire 12 of the next 14 hitters but the Royals battled and tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on a big RBI single by First baseman Joe Cloutier and the game would eventually head into extra innings.

The Titans bats came alive in the top of the eighth as Third baseman Scott Lobdell singled with one out.  Following an error, a pop out, and a walk, Blake helped his own cause and came through with a clutch two out, two run single putting the Titans up 4-2.  Catcher Max Perry followed with a two run double to left field and the Titans would tack on one more giving them a comfortable 7-2 lead.

Blake struck out the side in the bottom of the eighth and finished the day with the complete game win, yielding 2 runs on 8 hits while walking one and striking out 10.  Selig took the loss going 7 2/3 giving up 7 runs (two earned) on 9 hits while walking 5 and striking out 10.

The Royals fall to 4-3 on the year and will take on the Brewers Wednesday June 5th at 8pm at Brandeis University.