Strong offense does not get the Cardinals a win

The Front Royal Cardinals got off to a sizzling start again in last night’s game against the Winchester Royals, but that wasn’t quite enough, and they lost to the Royals 8-10.

In the first inning, the Cardinals took advantage of opportunities to put two men on base, and Cardinal newcomer, Tre Dabney, mashed a three-run home run to get the Cardinals on the board. The Royals came to the plate with the same game plan and managed to score one in the bottom of the inning. The next three innings, the Cardinals maintained a precarious lead, while the Royals chipped away at it one run at a time.

The Royals came out swinging in the fifth inning. Two doubles, two singles and two walks into the inning, the Royals scored four runs, and knocked Cardinals reliever, Peter Schuldt, out of the game. The inning ended with the game tied at 7-7. In the sixth inning, Cardinals short stop, Patrick Baggett scored his third run of the game, breaking the tie and giving the Cardinals a one run lead. The Royals weren’t giving up, though, and scored two of their own in the home half of the inning. The Cardinals threatened in the eighth, when two singles and a walk put the winning run on base, but a close play and tag at home plate ended the inning for the Cardinals before they were able to score. Out of time in the ninth inning, the Cardinals lost another close game.

“We got out to a nice lead,” said Coach Hurla, “but we struggled to get ahead in the count on the mound tonight, which cost us. We wasted a good offensive night for us.”

Offensive highlights of the game included four Cardinals players with multiple hits in the game. Second baseman Dylan Menhennett had 3 hits in 4 at bats in last night’s game and is batting .310 on the season so far. He was closely followed by Trey Fields, who went 2-4 in the game, and Patrick Baggett and Tre Dabney, who had 2 hits on 5 attempts. Cardinals pitching staff combined for eight strikeouts in the game, and were led by Kyle Choate, who fanned four batters, while allowing four hits in three innings of work. Closer Trey Parr struck out two batters, allowing no hits in his two innings. Andrew Hoguet took the loss for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals play at home tonight, June 21st, against division rival Strasburg Express, and Sunday, June 23rd against the Waynesboro Generals. Sunday’s game is sponsored by Dominion Health and Fitness.