By Carl Holcomb
The Bridgewater Reds folded three consecutive times before the gamble paid off again to win the Rockingham County Baseball League Championship in a complete sweep against Grottoes at Ray Heatwole Field.
The Reds won the RCBL title for the 19th time in program history and second crown in the past five seasons and the first trophy dating back to 1927.
The Reds have been the runner-up the past three years, including back-to-back game 7 losses to two-time champions Clover Hill.
Bridgewater ousted the Bucks in the semifinals in a winner-take-all game 5 series to return to the title game this year.
The Cardinals rallied for a semifinal winner-take-all game 5 triumph over Massanutten to be in the championship for the first time since 1996 when Grottoes bested the Reds 4-2.
Bridgewater was prepared for this showdown with a complete sweep, despite early back-and-forth fireworks with home runs lighting the sky in the finale.
Bridgewater opened the RCBL Championship series with a 7-3 win at Grottoes, then took a 10-4 win at home and kept the momentum going on the road for a 4-2 win.
The Reds finished off the series back in Bridgewater with an 18-8 mercy rule title victory.
There was a Mountain State connection as a quartet of East Hardy alumni helped in the Reds title run: Shayne Sisler, Brett Tharp, Evan Hamilton and Mason Hamilton.
Ray Heatwole Field is home to Turner Ashby and there were a plethora of Knights represented.
Grottoes opened the fourth game with a 4-0 lead in the first frame which included a three-run home run by D. Nicely.
Bridgewater Reds starting pitcher Shayne Sisler refocused with two aboard for a strikeout to retire the side.
“It’s great winning the title. This is an amazing group of guys, good people. It was a blast all year. We didn’t start off too hot, but it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” Reds pitcher Shayne Sisler noted.
The Reds cut the deficit in half during the bottom of the first inning as Trevor Knight hammered a two-run home run with Evan Hamilton on board (walk).
The Reds rallied to take an 8-4 advantage in the second inning starting with getting runners in scoring position after walks by Brett Tharp and K. Oliver who was moved over on a sacrifice bunt by Will Knicely.
Evan Hamilton ripped a game-tying, two-run producing double.
Bridgewater took the lead as Mason Hamilton crushed an RBI triple.
T. Knight was beaned, then C. Lucas smacked an RBI double for a 6-4 edge.
The Reds extended the lead as Chris Huffman garnered an RBI single.
Mantz loaded the bases on a walk, then Tharp drew a free pass sending Lucas home to create the 8-4 advantage.
“It feels real good, especially after we went to game 7 the past two years and didn’t get it. We played well and pitched well and dodged all three stages of the game like Huff says,” Reds outfielder Brett Tharp stated.
Grottoes responded in the third inning with a two-run dinger by Garrison to close the gap to 8-6.
Knicely and Tharp caught fly balls to retire the side.
Mason Hamilton singled with one out in the bottom of the third inning for the Reds and Knight drew a walk.
Lucas stepped up and obliterated a three-run home run to put Bridgewater up 11-6.
The fireworks weren’t over as Huffman smoked a solo shot as the Reds back-to-back jacks had the fans going crazy.
Horns from vehicles lining the fence could be heard after each home run.
The Reds added two more baserunners including a single by Tharp, but they were stranded.
Knicely and Mason Hamilton turned a double play on defense, then the Cardinals got two runners aboard prior to a groundout.
Evan Hamilton singled in the fourth inning, then stole second base and dashed to third base on an error.
finish it out was amazing,” Reds IF Mason Hamilton remarked.
“I agree. This team worked hard for this. We have been in a lot of tough places this year which helped us finish it,” Reds infielder Evan Hamilton said.
Knight hit an RBI sacrifice fly to put the Reds up 13-6.
Bridgewater’s defense of Huffman, Knicely and Knight turned another double play in the fifth inning.
Huffman recorded a double, then Mantz traded places with an RBI double as Bridgewater took a 14-6 lead.
Oliver notched an RBI single to make it 15-6.
Knicely hit into a fielder’s choice and Evan Hamilton was hit by a pitch.
Mason Hamilton slammed a two-run producing double into left field to create a 17-6 advantage.
Knight took a walk and both runners were left on the pond.
Knight and Mason Hamilton created the third Reds double play in the sixth frame.
Tharp singled and was brought home on Knicely’s RBI single as the Reds went up 18-6.
Grottoes loaded the bases in the seventh inning and scored twice on an error, then the Reds sealed the victory on back-to-back fielder’s choice plays from Knicely to Mason Hamilton, 18-8.
Bridgewater Reds starting pitcher Shayne Sisler went 2.1 innings with one strikeout and allowed a couple bombs, but reliever Wilson (3.1) was the winning pitcher with bullpen closers Griffin and Lehman finishing the game.
Bridgewater celebrated the program’s 19th RCBL championship with fireworks and a champagne shower.
