In their third and final meeting of the regular season, the Newton Royals and the Medford Titans squared off on Sunday at Brandeis University. The Titans looked to complete the season sweep of the Royals as they sent ace pitcher Mark Blake to the hill. The Royals countered with Rookie Pitcher Nick Smith. Both pitchers dueled the entire game battling the heat and keeping opposing hitters at bay.
The Royals went up 1-0 in the bottom of the first taking advantage of three Titans errors. The Titans tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when Right fielder Matt O'Donnell reached on an infield single, stole second, and then scored on Catcher Max Perry's RBI single.
The score remained tied 1-1 until the top of the seventh when Blake singled to lead off the inning and was driven home by First baseman Matt Boleski's RBI double to deep centerfield. Two batters later, Third baseman Scott Lobdell added an RBI sac fly. And then the Titans plated one more run on a wild pitch putting them up 4-1.
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The Royals tried to fight their way back in the bottom of the seventh chasing three runs. Rookie Right fielder Josh Caldwell worked a leadoff walk. With two outs, Catcher Bryan Weber singled to keep the game alive and Caldwell came around to score on First baseman Scott Weber's RBI single. With Second baseman Colin Walsh at the plate, a passed ball put the tying run at second base for the Royals but Blake got Walsh to strike out to end the game.
Blake finished with a complete game win allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits while walking 4 and striking out 14. Smith took the loss going the distance for seven innings allowing 4 runs on 6 hits while walking 7, hitting 2 batters, and striking out 6. The Royals will be back on the field this Friday night July 19th at 8pm at Brandeis University taking on the Brewers.
