BRAVES CAN'T FIND LATE INNING MAGIC

It was another high scoring affair for the Tofield Braves on Tuesday night. Unfortunately this one would not go in the Braves favour as a big seven run sixth inning by the Royals would lead to a 13-11 loss for Tofield.

Rookie pitcher Dustin Huebert would get the ball for the Braves and pitch a solid three innings before giving way to reliever Chad Nelson for the fourth. Huebert would allow four runs on five walks and only two hits in his Braves debut. Huebert would leave the game down 4-2 but Tofield would battle back and take the lead to get him off the hook for the loss.

After scoring one run in the bottom of the third inning, a Dylan Solberg RBI single to score Rob Berrecloth, the Braves would come out swinging in the fourth scoring five runs. Dane McCarty and Tyler Helgeland would reach via a walk and hit by pitch before Shaye Yoder would single to load the bases. Dylan Berrecloth would take a bases loaded walk and Chad Nelson would hit a two RBI single before Dylan Solberg would take another bases loaded walk. When the Royals were finally able to get out of the inning the scoreboard was now reading 7-5 Braves. And they weren’t done yet.

Another four runs would be added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when once again the combination of McCarty, Helgeland and Yoder would load the bases to start the inning. This time back to back to back singles would be used. The Royals would save a run by coming home to get the force out on a ground ball from Dylan Berrecloth. With one out and the bases still loaded Nelson would hit a sacrifice fly to make it 8-5 with the big hit of the inning coming from Rob Berrecloth with a two RBI double to make it 10-5. The Braves would load the bases again after another Dylan Solberg walk for the final run of the game for Tofield via a Corey Epp RBI single to make it 11-5.

However things would go south for pitcher Chad Nelson and the Braves in the sixth when the first seven Armena hitters of the inning would all reach and all score to make it 12-11 Royals. A back breaking momentum swing. The Braves would get the tying run into scoring position in the bottom of the seventh but there would be no magic this night as two quick outs after a sacrifice bunt from Rob Berrecloth ended the night.

Tonight the Braves travel to Armena to finish up the early season home and home with a big win. In the PBL should two teams be tied in their season series and in the standings, a runs scored in games between the tied teams tie break would be used. That means the Braves will be looking to defeat the Royals by at least three runs to claim the series against them. But first and foremost, a win of any kid for the Braves is needed to get to 2-1 and keep pace with the surging Edmonton Expos who are 2-0.