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Elkhart Takes Down Olive Township at Old Rock
NEW CARLISLE - The Elkhart BFAM (11-4) continued their hot play of late, taking two of three against the Olive Township Mechanics (8-7) by scores of; ELK 8-2, OT 6-5, and ELK 8-5.
BFAM opened the series strong, scoring 6 of their 8 runs within the first two innings. Pitcher Brandon Terry led the way for the BFAM, getting things done on both sides of the plate. The 'rook gave up just two runs in the opener while helping his own cause by blasting 5 home runs.
Despite two solo shots from Nate Arndt, the Mechanics couldn't generate enough offense to battle back from an early deficit. Without much resistance, Elkhart took the opener 8-2.
The Mechanics battled back in game two to tie the series at one game a piece. Trailing by 2 in the bottom of the 5th, Olive squeaked out 4 runs to pull ahead, 6-4. Garrett Ruiz and Aidan Cotter carried the way for Olive Township, driving in all 6 Mechanic runs.
Elkhart managed to keep it interesting thanks to a Walter Griffin III home run in the top of the 6th, but the rally stopped there. Olive Township ended up winning the second game, 6-5.
Similarly to the opener, BFAM started game three hot at the plate. Elkhart put up 7 runs in the first two innings, all thanks to the long ball. Walter Griffin III led the way in the deciding game, sending 4 balls over the fence for home runs.
Despite the early deficit, the Mechanics kept things close enough to keep BFAM on their toes in the later innings. Trailing by 3 in the bottom of the 6th, the home team stranded 2 runners to end the game; a fitting ending to a losing effort which saw countless missed opportunities for the home team.
With the series victory, Elkhart has now won ten of their last eleven games. After being swept on opening day, the expansion team finds themselves at 11-4. BFAM appears to be in strong position to secure the top Wild Card bid in the National League, up 3 games on the next closest team.
The Mechanics, meanwhile, have now lost five of their last six games. With a New Carlisle Newts sweep, Olive Township has fallen to 3 games back of first in the NL East.
