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Mechanics Sweep Kings in Soggy Series
ROLLING PRAIRIE - After dropping five of their previous six games, the Olive Township Mechanics (11-7) bounced back to sweep the County Line Kings (8-10) at Rick Bloode Ballpark with scores of: 7-4, 7-6, and 12-5.
In the opener, it was the Nate Arndt show on the mound for the Mechanics. Arndt allowed just one run in his 5 innings of work, successfully shutting down a short-handed Kings squad. Despite a 6th inning rally from the Kings, Colton Boren eventually closed it down for Olive Township, adding to his league-leading 6 saves.
The Kings responded in game two, holding the lead for the majority of the game. With the home team up 2-1 in the 3rd, Bryce Bloode blasted a Grand Slam to deep center field to extend County Line's lead to 5.
However, the Mechanics responded in the next three innings, slowly chipping down County Line's lead before tying the game at 6 going into extras. After an Aidan Cotter single in the top of the 7th, Garrett Ruiz lifted a ball just deep enough to score Cotter via a sac fly, giving Olive Township the lead. Nate Arndt worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the 7th to pick up the win for the Mechanics.
Despite soggy conditions, the visitors saved their best for last in this series. Olive Township managed 12 runs in the finale, utilizing the long-ball early and often. Colton Boren and Kody Webb led the way with 3 home runs each as the Mechanics cruised to a series victory.
Despite strong performances at the plate from Kings' Bryce Bloode and Mike Forrester, the short-handed Kings couldn't outlast Olive Township. After the All-Star break County Line will look to bounce back as they'll travel to The Pit to take on division divisional foe, the Hudson Lake Heat (10-8).
For the Mechanics, the sweep thrusts them back into first place in the NL East thanks to a tie-breaker with the New Carlisle Newts. After the All-Star break, the Mechanics will welcome the Scottsdale Sluggers (5-13) to town on June 23rd.
