After dropping a close game to Jarrettown last Tuesday, the New Life Kings didn’t have to wait long for their chance to defend their home field, as the Kings hosted Jarrettown at Field #5 on Friday.

Manager Bret took the mound in his pitching debut and promptly induced three straight flyouts, all of them to Mark Hood playing in center.

Hits by Zach and Dan put two runners in scoring position, which Seth and "Hoody" brought home, to give New Life an early 2-0 lead.

On the mound Bret worked around two hits to pitch a scoreless second inning, then was one of two runs in the bottom frame (Josh was the second), advancing on an overthrow. Andy O contributed his first RBI of the year on a fielder’s choice. In the third inning, the Kings would stretch the lead to 5, as with two outs, Seth drove home Zach, converting his leadoff double.

Things were fairly quiet in the middle innings, as Kings pitcher Bret set down the side in order in innings 3-5, and Jarrettown pitcher Ron allowed only one hit in the fourth and fifth innings.

The visitors worked to chip away at the lead in the final two frames. Ron and Marty tallied back-to-back hits in the sixth, and the ball got by the outfield, allowing an extra base for each runner and ending the shutout. Following a strikeout, a run-scoring fielder’s choice and a groundout back to the mound ended the frame, with the Kings’ lead cut to 5-2.

Despite a leadoff single, Jarrettown faced the minimum number of batters in the bottom frame, thanks to good positioning facilitating a line-drive double play. The Kings took the field in the final inning looking to protect a three-run lead.

An infield error put the first runner at second base, and it looked like trouble was at hand. The Kings quickly recorded two outs, though, on Bret’s third strikeout victim and a heads-up fielder’s choice by shortstop Zach, tagging out the lead runner. Two walks and a hit plated a run and cut the margin to two, bringing the go-ahead run up to bat. It was a long, loud out, as left fielder Pete secured the fly ball for the final out of a 5-3 victory.

The Highlights:

NLG: The Kings evened the season series at 1-1, with Zach, Mark Hood, and Josh notching two hits and a run apiece, and Seth leading the way with 2 RBI. Anthony and Dan accounted for the other two runs.

Fun Fact: Each of the Kings' first three games of the 2019 season has been decided by exactly two runs.

JAR: Ron and Marty each recorded two hits and a run for Jarrettown, while Jake and Dave both recorded an RBI.

Up Next:

New Life (1-2) starts a two-game week on Tuesday, 5/7, facing Chelten Baptist (1-0 before Friday) at Field #1 for their first matchup of the season. Then on Friday, 5/10, the Kings will take on top-seeded Glenside Bible (4-0).

Jarrettown (1-3) will have one more day of rest, as they face Chelten United (2-1) on Wednesday, 5/8.