On Tuesday, Chelten Baptist hosted the New Life Kings for their first face-off of the 2018 season.
The Kings wasted no time in getting to work in the first inning. Back-to-back hits put Jimmy and Anthony at second and third. Tim worked a walk to load the bases with no outs for Steve B, who delivered by driving in two runs. It looked like the Kings were in for more after another walk loaded up the bases, but Chelten pitcher Scotty escaped the jam with a strikeout, a force-out at home on a grounder, and a lineout to short. But the New Life lead would not last long.
Kevin, leading off for Chelten, roped the ball over the outfielders’ heads and seemed to have a triple in hand, but some fine defensive work denied him. Short-fielder Dan J got to the ball and rifled it in to Anthony at short. Anthony finished off the outfield assist with a strike to Tim at third, who tagged the runner for the first out. After a walk and single, Brandy induced a fielder’s choice for the second out, but hits from Dan A and Brian would bring home 3 runs to take a 3-2 lead.
Over the next three innings, Scotty and Brandy kept the margin, as both teams combined for six hits and one walk during that stretch. Spectators had the sense that given these pitching performances and with both teams playing good defense, the next team to score was likely to close out for the win.
That scoring opportunity came in the fifth inning. The Kings strung together 7 consecutive hits and 8 total hits in the inning. Steve B, Mark, Skyler and Dan J combined to drive in 6 runs and give the Kings an 8-3 lead. After the sixth run in that inning, Chelten pitcher Scotty would retire the last 7 Kings batters. The New Life defense would need to hold.
After Steve B pitched his second 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, Chelten cleanup hitter Todd led off the seventh with a single. The next two batters recorded outs, but Phil kept the game alive with a double that put two runners in scoring position. There was to be no comeback, however, as Mark fielded a fly ball cleanly to put the game away.
Dan A led Chelten at the plate, going 2-3 with 1 RBI. Todd added two hits, while Brian drove in two runs.
In addition to pitching a quality start, Steve B led the Kings at the plate with 3 RBI, going 2 for 4, with Mark (1-4) and Skyler (2-3) each adding 2 RBI and Dan J (1-2, BB) knocking in one. Seven Kings reached at least twice, with Tim reaching three times (1 walk, 2 hits).
Up Next:
Chelten (2-4) hosts Glenside Bible (4-2) on Tuesday 6/5. New Life (4-2) will be hosted by Jarrettown (0-6) the same night.