On a scorching final day of the regular season, the New Life Kings, coming in with seven consecutive wins, hosted Glenside Bible.

Despite the heat, this matchup drew the Kings' first sellout crowd. (The Kings and Glenside Bible thank you.)

Rob led off Glenside Bible with a double, and the visitors quickly took the lead on an RBI single from Jeff. The next batted ball had Kings second baseman Dan range far to his right, and a rushed throw went over the head of Zach covering at second. Redemption came quickly in the form of a liner Dan flipped to first base for a double play, and the Kings escaped further damage with the third out.

After a quick bottom of the first, the Kings recorded another line drive double play in the bottom of the second, this one started by Zach at short. Rob of Glenside Bible was awarded first base on catcher's interference in the third inning, but was stranded there. The Kings only managed two hits across the first three innings of a game that moved very quickly to that point.

Glenside Bible took the opportunity to extend their lead in the fourth, following a leadoff walk with two hits and an RBI groundout. As the game passed the halfway point, the visitors led New Life 3-0.

Jon, Andy, and Jimmy strung together three straight hits to load the bases with no outs. Anthony drove home the first run on a sacrifice fly, and the other two runners advanced on the throw home. A grounder to the left side caught Kings runners off the bag on a fielder's choice, and another grounder resulted in an infield hit that couldn't quite advance the runner home. A flyout ended the threat with just one run crossing the plate.

Brandy stranded two Glenside Bible runners in the top of the fifth, and three hits that plated a run in the bottom frame inched the Kings closer, and they took the field in the sixth with a one run deficit.

Glenside Bible converted a walk into a run with two hits, extending the lead to 4-2. Each team managed one hit in their cuts in the bottom of the sixth and top of the seventh, and New Life had its last chance down by two runs.

Two hits (Brandy, Bret) put runners on the corners with two outs. A ball Dan ripped toward the hole on the right side of the infield spelled trouble, but it was speared by the first baseman to end the game, and the Kings' winning streak.

The game's total of six runs was tied for the lowest combined total this season, matching Trinity's 5-1 win over Calvary PCA on May 21.

For Glenside Bible, Jeff led with three hits and Jim had two. Mark and Andrew reached twice, as each had a hit and drew a walk. Jeff, Chris, Eric, and Jim each drove one run home.

Jimmy, Brandy, Bret, and Josh each had two hits. Anthony and Josh drove home the two Kings runs.

Up Next:

The playoffs begin this week. Each matchup is a "best of three" series, so teams need to win two games to advance.

Fifth-seeded Glenside Bible (6-6) faces Chelten Baptist (6-6), who won their single regular season matchup.

New Life (9-3) enters the playoffs in second place. The Kings host Calvary PCA (4-8) on Friday at Mondauk #5. These teams played once in the regular season, a New Life 17-10 win.