The Rattlers FB team faced a tough opponent on Sunday morning, as the Central Square Red Hawks 15u team came in to Central Park.
The Rattlers were unable to bring in any runs in the top of the first inning, despite a walk, single by KJ Cochran and double by Dylan Bertollini.
Central Square came out strong in the first inning, scoring 4 runs off of 2 walks, a single and a double.
Starting on the mound for the Rattlers was Ethan Matthews.
The Rattlers were held scoreless until the 3rd inning. Cochran and Bertollini both drew walks to start the inning. Nicholas Capece followed with a single to load the bases. This was followed by walks by DeVinney, Matthews and Pearce, but the inning stalled with the score at 4-2. Runs were scored by Bertollini and Capece.
With Bertollini on the mound for the Rattlers, Central Square was held scoreless in the 3rd inning with 1 walk, 1 hit and 3 strikeouts.
After a Calabria strikeout to start the 4th inning, Daniel Capp drew a walk followed by a Cochran hit. Bertollini drew a walk to load the bases. Facing a full-count, Capece hit a deep single to right field, driving in 2 runs to tie the game up at 4-4. With Bertollini on 3rd base and Capece on 2nd base, Jack DeVinney hit a deep fly ball to center field, driving in the go-ahead run as Bertollini tagged up and scored. The inning ended with the score at 5-4 in favor of the Rattlers.
The Redhawks had a chance to strike back in the bottom of the 4th, as a triple hit deep to right field put the tying run in scoring position. Unfortunately for Central Square, the next batter hit a hard line drive to Jacob Calabria at third base, which he caught right before stepping on third base for a solo double play. A strikeout on the next batter ended the inning.
Bertollini struck out 4 of the final 8 batters, holding them scoreless with the help of putouts by Calabria and Capece.
In the final inning, Michael Mooney drew a walk and Calabria notched a hit before Daniel Capp earned an RBI that scored Mooney.
The Redhawks had one last chance in their final at-bat, but with runners on 1st and 3rd base, Bertollini struck out the final batter to end the game with a score of 6-4.
MVP on the day: Jacob Calabria for his solo double play that stopped Central Square’s momentum and helped secure the win for the Rattlers.