The Elkmont Red Devils played the second part of the Area Series against the Clements Colts, March 20. Winning the previous day's game put them ahead 1 - 0; optimism was high in the Elkmont dugout. If they beat the Colts, the Devils would be tied for first in area play with the West Morgan Rebels.
The game started out promising as Elkmont took a two run lead. The Red Devils' bats were on fire and got five hits out of the first five batters. Cole Glass got a single but got picked off trying to steal second; Ben Ferguson and Jared Bailey followed the setback with singles. Skyler Gant's double and Daniel Logan's single scored both runners. Unfortunately, Gant and Logan were left on base as the next batter struck out and the last batter hit a fly to center to end Elkmont's run. Jared Bailey took the mound and quickly retired the Clement side with only one hit and no runs scored.
The Clements' pitcher recovered from the first inning and the Red Devils only got two hits in the next five innings. However, Bailey held the Colts to one run for five innings and led 2 -1 as the Red Devils had only one error going into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Clements' first batter got a double and the Colts were able to take advantage of a number of bunts to put runners on. The Devils couldn't make plays and by the time the Red Devils got the third out, they found themselves down 4 - 2.
Jacob Blenkinsopp started off the seventh inning with a single and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cole Glass. Blenkinsopp was able to score, pulling the Devils within one of the Colts but a well hit ball that went deep into center was caught ending the game with one runner left on base. The Red Devils let this game slip away, 4 - 3. Jared Bailey pitched a complete game for the loss. Elkmont had 1 error, batted 31 times; struck out 8 times; got 7 hits and left 6 runners on.
A tiebreaker game followed the disappointing loss. The Red Devils had loss their focus and lost this game 8 - 4. They went scoreless in the first inning as Clements, excited over their earlier win, quickly put three runs on the scoreboard. Elkmont left batter after batter on base, not scoring as the Colts added a run in the third and four runs in the fourth inning. Michael Haney shut them down in the fifth and sixth innings. The Red Devils tried to rally in the fifth inning led by a home run by Ben Ferguson. Gant hit a single, followed by a Logan double. Tyler Thomas hit a double to score both runners and stood on second with one out. Again, the Red Devil attempt to get back in the game was stopped by back to back outs that left two runners on. At the bottom of the fifth, it was 8 - 3, Clements. Elkmont added another run in the sixth inning but it was too little, too late and the Colts took the tiebreaker.
Starting Pitcher: Bryant Wales, pitched 2 innings, 1 out in the third (2 1/3)
Tyler Thomas, pitched the fourth inning and 2 outs in the fifth (1 2/3)
Michael Haney, pitched 1 out in the fifth and the sixth inning (1 1/3)
Elkmont had 5 errors (4 in the 4th inning), 8 hits, batted 35 times, and left 11 runners on. Tyler Thomas was tagged with the loss.
Very disappointing series but the Elkmont Red Devils can still make the playoffs if they beat the Danville Hawks and West Morgan Rebels in the next few weeks. If either Danville or West Morgan can beat Clements that will also help but the Red Devils have taken the longer, harder road.
Area 15 Standing after March 20:
West Morgan Rebels 2 - 0 (beat Danville 9 - 0, 11 - 0)
Clements Colts 1 - 1 plus tiebreaker win over Elkmont
Elkmont Red Devils 1 - 1
Danville Hawks 0 - 2
Next Area Series is against the Danville Hawks, March 26 - 27.
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