bat, slapping a clutch single ….

bat, slapping a clutch single up the middle to drive in the Abbotsford catcher and making the score 5-1.

The Merchants’ offense came to a screeching halt following their four-run third inning. They would be held to just two hits over the next six innings, both of them courtesy of Bargender’s bat. Strikeouts would start to become a problem, with Pittsville’s Luther fanning eight Abbotsford batters over the rest of the game, and they would not receive any more help from the River Bandits defense. After committing three errors in the first three innings, Pittsville moved past its early shakiness to play perfectly in the field.

Meanwhile, Abbotsford saw its lead slowly dwindle as the game progressed. Pittsville added two runs in the bottom of the third, one in the fifth, and then finally retook the lead in the sixth after tacking on three more. The home team also added on an insurance run in the eighth.

Payton Schreiber started the game for Abbotsford, going four innings for the club. He surrendered three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters. Two of his runs were earned.

Morrow stepped onto the mound in relief of Schreiber in the fifth inning, going four innings himself. He gave up five runs on six hits and three walks and was saddled with the loss. He also struck out three.

Bargender ended the day with three out of the Merchants four hits, going 3-for-4 from the plate and scoring a run. Nelson went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored.

The loss dropped the Merchants to 3-2 in the Dairyland Small division and to 3-4 overall. Their next game will be at home against Merrill on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m.