The Newton Royals looked to end a four game losing streak as they took on the Malden Braves on Sunday. Pitching on both sides dominated most of the game but the Royals got some clutch hits when they needed them and walked off with a win in their final at bat of the game.
Jimmy Selig started for the Royals while the Braves countered with David Chalifoux. Both starters kept the bats quiet to start the game but the Braves jumped on the board in the top of the third taking a 1-0 lead. The Royals would answer back in the bottom of the third when Centerfielder Nate Coolidge singled home a run tying the game. The Braves came right back in the fourth taking a 2-1 lead on Second baseman Ryan Moore's RBI ground out. But the Royals fought back again and tied the game on Shortstop James O'Neil's RBI double.
The Braves brought in hard throwing righty Manny Powers to pitch in releif and he shut down the Royals' bats for two innings. But in the bottom of the seventh, O'Neil singled with one out and advanced to second on passed ball. Two batters later, with two outs, Catcher Ramon Pascual lined a single into left centerfield scoring O'Neil and the Royals walked off with the win.
Find out what's happening in Newtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Royals Pitcher Justin Chere pitched two innings of scoreless relief picking up his third win of the season. In the third inning, Coolidge also stole his 30th career base putting him in a tie for first on the Royals franchise list with former Royals Shortstop Kevin O'Brien.
With the Boston Cubs losing both games of a double header against the Medford Titans on Sunday, the Royals go into the All Star break one game out of first place. The Royals will be back on the field Friday July 12th at 8pm at Brandies University taking on the Beverly Indians.
