THE BEREA BRAVES FINISHED FIRST IN THE SIDNEY FIRE SUMMER BASH TOURNAMENT !!!

The 14U Braves defeated the Columbus Hawks 6-2 in their first Pool Play Game, then came from behind in the top of the seventh, scoring 8-Runs in the inning to down the Pickerington Black 12-7. The second win mathematically clinched the top spot in Pool A. The Braves were defeated 14-3 by the Kettering Firebirds late on Saturday night, in a meaningless game and moved into the semi-final game on Sunday afternoon where they were to face the 2nd place winner of Pool B. ACLE Baseball however, failed to return for the match-up, and the Braves sat around after the declared forfeit for nearly two-hours waiting for the Columbus Hawks, who had defeated Bellefontaine in an earlier semi-final contest, to return for the Championship game. The Hawks were looking to revenge their only loss in the tournament, an opening round loss to the Braves and the Berea squad was looking to get back on track after getting humiliated the night prior in Kettering's only win of the tournament. The Heavy Weight rematch lived up to it's billing again, as Luke Beehlers mix bag of pitches kept the Big hitting bats of Columbus silent enough for the Braves to finally break the 0-0 tie in the third. With 2-outs and Tevon Rease steal of second, the Hawks decided to pitch around Beehler and intentional walked him to get to Allen Peterkoski. "This is the one that we want to pitch to!" Columbus' head coach shouted out to his starting pitcher while pointing to Peterkoski. Allen made them pay, as he ripped a 2-0 offering deep into right field, scoring both Rease and Beehler for a 2-0 lead. The Braves added to the lead in the top of the fifth as Patrick Smith lead-off with a base hit up the middle and Rease walked. Troy Brouse moved the runners to second and third with a beautifully executed sacrifice bunt. Beehler put a hard infield grounder into play and the Hawks made the crucial error of the game, allowing it to skip past the second baseman and into right field, scoring two. The Braves weren't done there. Beehler stole second and Peterkoski came through again, lining a shot into center field and scoring Beehler who was moving on the two-out hit. After 5-innings, the Braves lead 5-0. The Columbus Hawks cut the lead to three as they lead off the inning with consecutive hits, the second a double eliminating the shut-out. The Hawks second run came after the runner was moved over with a grounder back to the mound and scored on a grounder to short, making the score 5-2. The Braves added an insurance run in the seventh as Beehler lined a base hit, stole second and galloped home on an attempt steal of third and an over-throw into left field. Beehler was phenomenal in going the distance on the mound against the open-boundary team from Columbus. In the seventh, Beehler struck out the first batter for his 8th strike-out of the game. The Braves defense was error-free on the night, lead by short-stop Nate Miceli who recorded six put-outs off the grass infield and who disposed of out #2 in the bottom of the seventh. Second baseman Troy Brouse who hooked up with Miceli several times in the game for a few near-miss double plays, ended the game when he secured the last batted ball and threw out the runner at first. The Braves faithful who traveled the 3-hour trip and filled the stands, erupted into cheers as the Braves celebrated their first ever Tournament first place finish.

Beehler pitched a complete game, facing 26-batters, giving up 2-runs on 5-hits, striking out 8 and walking 1. He retired the side in order three times, and faced only four at the plate in two other innings as he dominated the big bats of the Columbus Hawks. Allen Peterkoski was the only batter in the game to record two-hits. Peterkoski also lead all batters with 3 Runs batted in. The Braves defense cleaned up everything well behind Beehler, committing 0-errors in the Championship game. The game was played nearly perfect by The Berea team. Hats off to the Braves players, coaching staff and families of the team for a very memorable weekend that will last a life time.

COMPLETE 14U TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Braves Spend Fathers Day at the Bay

After Back to Back road Wins on Wednesday & Friday, the Braves traveled for the third straight game and pulled out their ninth win of the regular season against the Bay Village Rockets on Fathers Day.

Nate Miceli led the evening game off batting and also as the Braves starting pitcher. Miceli drew a walk on four wild pitches and automatically advanced to second on the fourth pitch when the passed ball found a mouse-hole opening under the backstop and sneaked out-of-play. Miceli held tight at second as Tevon Rease lined a 0-1 pitch at the shortstop for the first out. On an 0-2 pitch to second baseman, Troy Brouse, Miceli thought that he had the jump to make it to third on his own, but was gunned down stealing by the Rockets catcher, #11 Hunger. Brouse grounded-out to short and the Braves were halted before they knew what hit'em. The Rockets also saw their leadoff batter reach first base safely, as Miceli's first pitch was lazily hit into right field. Second base was swiped before first baseman, Zach Bauer fielded the first out, sending the runner to third. Miceli fanned out number two on a 2-2 pitch and the clean-up hitter also bit on a 2-2 pitch, fending it off back to the mound where Miceli put it away for out number three.

SCORE: Braves 0, Rockets 0

Allen Peterkoski had a one-out single in the top of the second and Alex Bockmiller walked putting two ducks on the pond for the Braves, but a force-out was recorded off the bat of Patrick Hopp and Zach Bauer grounded out to the Rockets shortstop and the Braves were held in-check again. The Braves gave up another leadoff base in the bottom of the inning, with an error off the glove of Troy Brouse. The Braves chose to retire the first out at second base on a fielders choice. Designated Hitter, #14 Mills now stood profoundly at first with a football look and a football mentality. Mills in an attempt to steal second, over-ran second base, was swiped at by shortstop Luke Beehler, then over-ran the same base bizarrely in the opposite direction. Somewhere among the mayhem, Mills was called-out for the second out of the inning. The Rockets put another base runner on with a base hit to left field, but Miceli took care of out number three on his own, with a called-third strike on a 1-2 count to the 8th batter in the Bay batting order.

SCORE: Braves 0, Rockets 0

The Braves Center fielder, Patrick Smith forced a full count walk to lead off the third inning and the Braves Right Fielder, Henry Delventhal watched four straight pitches miss the plate as the Braves put two on the base paths with nobody out. Miceli flied out to Center field and Smith was gunned down at the plate trying to score from third off a batted ball back to the mound from Tevon Reases bat. Now with two-outs and runners at the corners, the Braves were growing frustrated with their loose base running. However, it didn't stop them from continuing to be aggressive. Coach Aten called for the execution of play intended to draw a Balk from the pitcher, which advances all runners on the bases, including Henry Delventhal who now stood at third. The sign was delivered to Tevon Rease and he executed it perfectly as the Pitcher came to his 'set' position. As the Pitcher is required to pause for a second, Rease burst down the second base path causing the Rockets coaching staff to blurt out, "He's Going!" and the Pitcher to flinch. That flinch cost Bay the first run of the night, as Delventhal was automatically given Home and Rease to second. Rease eventually stole third, but was stranded there as a strikeout ended the inning. Miceli made two outstanding defensive plays to start the bottom of the third. He ran down a foul ball down the first base line for the first out, and then ran down an almost identical ball on the opposite side of the field for the second. Perhaps tired from the athletic plays, Miceli surrendered a base hit and a double, placing two Rockets in scoring position. With runners moving on two-outs, Luke Beehler made perhaps the best play of the game by running down a well placed ball over third base and down the left field line. His great range on the ball secured the final out on the fly.

Braves 1, Rockets 0

The Braves almost went down in order to start the fourth, except for Allen Peterkoski's second hit of the day, a chopper through the first baseman with one out. Peterkoski moved to second on a past ball and resided at third after an infield groundout, but was stranded there on a grounder well played by the second baseman. The Rockets exploded for two in the bottom of the Fourth as Miceli's lone walk on the night came back to bite him on the white spot. A weak effort on a fly ball to right and a single off the bat of the grizzly Mills put Bay Village on the scoreboard. Mills, who was wiped from the bases in the second inning after over-running the bag, was cut down trying to take third after tagging up on a fly ball to center, but not before the Rockets took the lead by scoring from third on the same play. Miceli got the Braves out of the inning by striking out the third out.

Braves 1, Rockets 2

Just as Patrick Smith and Henry Delventhal drew consecutive walks in the third inning, they both took full counts and reached base on balls again in the fifth. Smith stole second and then third during Delventhals at-bat, setting up another first-and-third situation for the Braves. This time, Coach Aten called for a straight steal with Smith prepared to take home if Delventhal was played-on at second. Just as planned; as the throw down to second was not in time to nab Delventhal, Smith anticipated and scored easily on the play, tying the score. Deleventhal scored on a base hit through the right side by Tevon Rease. Rease swiped second and trotted to third on an over-throw into center field. With two-outs, Troy Brouse placed a moss-growing grounder between third and short, just out of reach of the third baseman, drawing the fielder in line sight of the short stop and the ball snaked through both and trickled into left field for an RBI. The Braves put the host team down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the fifth. Miceli K’ed the leadoff batter on four pitches, then a second pitch delivery sent a crisp grounder to third baseman Alex Bockmiller who disposed of out number two. Bockmiller then ended the Inning by fielding a ball clear across the left side of the infield and throwing the batter out at first. It was another inning of great defensive plays.

Braves 4, Rockets 2

Patrick Hopp had a lone single in the 6^th, as a pair of groundouts to short and one to second sent the Braves down in four batters. The Braves were being selective at the plate though as the four batters forced 18 pitches in the inning. The Rockets set sail in the bottom of the sixth as they started things off with a towering double to left field. Compounding things, the relay throw on the hit was off-target and the runner advanced to third. Miceli struck-out the next batter, which the at-bat was delayed at 1-ball and 2-strikes as the Braves replaced catchers, due to an injury to starting catcher Allen Peterkoski’s throwing hand. The next pitch to the glove of Tevon Rease was the third strike. Miceli forced a groundout to short for the second out. An error at short gave the Bay team a run, and a hit batter put the go-ahead run on the bases. Coach Aten sensed that at 88-pitches in this game added to 15 pitches thrown in short relief two days earlier was more than enough for Miceli’s fine arm on the weekend. The Coach summoned Luke Beehler to come in for another tough save opportunity. Beehler’s 2-2 offering was lined through the leftside of the infield. Patrick Hopp fielded it and threw an almost perfect strike to the plate, but catcher Tevon Rease couldn’t handle it as the tying run scored. Beehler closed out the inning with three straight strikes to the 8^th batter in the line-up.

Braves 4, Rockets 4

Patrick Smith and Henry Delventhal were called upon again in the top of the seventh. Smith led off the inning by grounding out to third. Delventhal stayed the course though, taking one for the team in the buttocks, shook it off and trotted to first. With one-out and the count at 2-2 a hit-n-run was on and with Delventhal running on the pitch, Miceli lined a shot in the path of the left fielder. The left fielder came up with it cleanly, and Delventhal bit off more than he could chew as he was easily gunned down heading for third. It wasn’t all Henry’s fault though, as third base coach, Coach Aten, was caught watching the play and failed to signal Delventhal one way or another. With Miceli on second base and two-outs, Tevon Rease came to the plate for the Braves last at-bat in regulation. Rease lined the first pitch down the line and past the left fielder. Miceli scored easily on the play and Rease legged a triple in lightening speed. The throw in came between the pitcher and the catcher and they collided both going for the ball. As the ball rolled toward the Braves dugout, Coach Aten waved Rease Home, but the ball was recovered by the catcher and the big burly pitcher covered the plate and Rease was cut down at the plate for the final out – but not before the Braves took the lead 5-4. Beehler took care of the rest, taking a slow grounder up the first base line unassisted for the first out, striking out the second out and Nate Miceli put away the final out at shortstop as Zach Bauer made a great high and wide stretch to secure the throw at first. The Braves got out of Bay Village a bit battered, but with a three-game win streak under their belts in the past five days.

Braves 5, Rockets 4

final

Miceli pitched 5-2/3 innings, facing 26 at the plate, giving up 4-Runs (2 earned) on 6 hits, striking out 5 and walking 1 with one hit batter. Beehler gave up a Save opportunity in exchange for the win. He pitched 1-1/3 innings facing 5 batters, giving up no runs, 1-hit, walking none and striking out 2.

The Braves catchers supplied the bats for the good guys. Allen Peterkoski went 2-for-3 and Tevon Rease started the game as the ‘Additional Hitter’ before taking over at catcher for Peterkoski in the sixth, who left the game with a welt on the back of his throwing hand. Rease recorded 2-hits, including driving in the game winning run with a triple in the top of the seventh. Rease had 2 RBI’s on the night and 3 stolen bases, he was also the key behind drawing a third inning balk that scored the games first run. Tevon Rease has been exceptional at the plate over the past dozen games, hitting .500 or better in 11 of the 12 last games for a team leading (.455) batting average. Rease has batted a whopping 25-of-41 (.610 average) over the past twelve games.

BRAVES DOWN BULLDOGS 11-9

Alex Bockmiller overcame a bumpy start, but settled in nicely as the Braves came back from a 0-5 deficit in the first to steal one from the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs 11-9. The Braves had trouble adjusting to the hard, choppy field surface of Olmsted Falls. Each hit that Bockmiller gave up in the first, turned into extra bases as the Braves couldn't catch a break in the way the ball bounced over the infield and through the out field. Two doubles and three singles, compiled with favorable hops off the tough playing surface, netted the Bulldogs 5 runs in the first. When protecting a 5-run lead, the worst thing that you can do is put runners on base for free - but that is exactly what the Bulldogs did in the second. Alex Bockmiller, Mitch Tocarchick, Patrick Smith, Troy Brouse & Allen Peterkoski all drew base on balls in the inning. Mike Lewis beat out an infield hit and Zach Bauer lined a base hit into right field scoring a pair. With two on and two outs, Luke Beehler tied the score with a Home Run to deep left-center. The Braves, who batted through the line-up in the inning, would load the bases up after that, but were halted there. Olmsted Falls regained the lead in the bottom of the second as a pair of base hits with two outs and an error at short stop lead to a run. After two complete innings, the Bulldogs lead 6-5.

The Braves were held in check in the third, and the host Olmsted team added to their lead. With two outs and a runner on, the Bulldogs stole second and scored on the second of three base hits in the bottom of the inning. Score: Olmsted 7, Berea 5

The Braves came back again, scoring two in the fourth to tie the game for the second time. This time Beehler was held-up at third to be safe, but he could have had his second inside-the-park Home Run on the fence-less field. Troy Brouse drove him in on the next pitch as he screamed a liner down the line. Tevon Rease moved Brouse into scoring position with a single to center and Allen Peterkoski batted Brouse in tying the score at 7-7. The Bulldogs took the lead again as a bad bounce on a hopper to second baseman Troy Brouse, caught him on the chin, putting a runner on. The run was scored on a base hit to center that skipped past center fielder Nate Miceli as the bad hops continued to haunt the Braves. Score: Bulldogs 8, Braves 7

Tired of the pesky Bulldogs, the Braves started getting the ball to bounce in their favor in the 5th inning. Mike Lewis started off the inning with a double and reached third on the hit when the ball jumped off the uneven playing surface and got past the outfield. Mitch Tocarchick reached base on balls after milking a full count pitch from the Bulldogs reliever. Patrick Smith batted in Lewis with a single up the middle. With two-outs and two-on, Beehler came through again, this time with a single driving in his 5th RBI of the game. Troy Brouse smashed a shot over the left fielders head, scoring Beehler and putting the Braves up 11-8 after four and a half innings of play. The Bulldogs put up a run in the bottom of the 5th with a lead-off hit and a two-out hit, making the score: Braves 11, Bulldogs 9

The Berea coaching staff went with Nate Miceli in relief of Alex Bockmiller as A-Bock neared 87 pitches thrown through five innings. Miceli retired the side 1-2-3 in the 6th.Unfortunately, the Braves were retired 1-2-3 also in the 6th and mounted just a single hit in the 7th, although a nice hit (double) off the bat of Henry Delventhal. However, Henry was stranded at third as Olmsted struck-out the second and third out of the final inning. Miceli was brought back out to close the game in the 7th, but the Bulldogs weren't going to go away easily. The host team started off the inning with consecutive base hits and stole their way into scoring position. With no outs and the tying run at second, Coach Aten made the call to bring in Luke Beehler to get the Braves out of the jam. Beehler did just that, forcing a deep pop-up to right field. One of the biggest mistakes by the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs came back to bite them in the rear. The Bulldogs elected to not have the runner on third tag-up on the play, leaving runners on second and third with one-out. Beehlers 2-2 count pitch was lined down the third base line off the left handed bat of #15 Winkel and right into the mit of third baseman Alex Bockmiller. Alex calm and collective, made the catch and stepped on third where the same runner who failed to score by tagging up was off the base and caught by the surprise line drive ... DOUBLE-PLAY!!! The Braves WIN 11-9!!!

Alex Bockmiller faced 30 Bulldogs at the plate, allowing 9-runs on 12-hits, walking none and striking out 2. It's hard to compute how many runs were actually earned, as the ball bounced wildly off the Olmsted playing surface creating multiple bases and scoring situations. The biggest difference in the game was that the Berea pitchers never walked a single batter in the entire game and the Braves walked seven times (including one hit by pitch), four of those to reach base on balls also scored. Other than that, it was an evenly matched contest. The Braves batted .382 (13-for-34 in 41 plate appearances) and the Bulldogs batted .378 (14-for-37 in 37 plate appearances). Nate Miceli faced 5 at the plate, giving up 2-hits and no runs. Luke Beehler recorded the save by facing two bats, with no hits no runs and no errors.

Luke Beehler and Troy Brouse each went 3-for-3 in the game. Beehler was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat, then Homered, tripled and singled, driving in 5 RBI's on the night and scoring three runs. Brouse singled, walked, singled and tripled, driving in a pair of runs and scored once himself. Tevon Rease and Mike Lewis each collected two hits a piece. One of Lewis' hits was a double. Henry Delventhal also doubled in the seventh inning.

The Braves will take Saturday off, before traveling to Bay Village on Fathers Day to take on the Bay Rockets at 6:00pm.

BAUER AND BRAVES DEFENSE CLAMP DOWN ON BEARCATS

Both teams started offensively by hitting the cover off the ball. Nate Miceli lead off the game with a double to left field and Tevon Rease pounded a triple to deep center. Troy Brouse batted in Rease with a Sacrifice fly to right field, putting the Braves up 2-0. The Bedford Bearcats countered by ripping consecutive doubles to lead off the bottom half of the inning and a base on balls and three errors in the inning, produced 3-runs and bases loaded before Zach Bauer recorded the last out by striking out the ninth Bearcat to bat. Score: Braves-2, Bearcats-3

Mike Lewis kept things going in the bottom of the second by starting off the inning with a triple of his own. Lewis was batted in when Patrick Hopp grounded an 0-2 pitch to the right side of the infield, tying the score at 3-3. Bauer surrendered a one-out walk in the bottom of the inning and an error and base hit put Bedford up 4-3.

The Braves would give Bauer all he would need in the top of the third as Miceli lead off the inning by drawing a walk. Tevon Rease singled to left field. Both base runners moved into scoring position on an attempt bunt. Brouse put the ball in play and Miceli scored on the hit and Rease scored on the throw. Brouse beat-out the throw for an infield base hit to go along with his second and third runs batted in on the evening. Luke Beehler doubled, scoring Brouse. Beehler, stealing on the pitch, scored from second on a sacrifice bunt off the bat of Patrick Smith. The Braves lead 7-4 when the dust settled. Bauer went back to work on the bottom half of the Bearcat lineup. After putting the lead batter on by way of walk, Bauer settled in to strike-out a pair bookend around a base hit and an attempt double-play. After three complete innings, the Braves now lead 7-3.

After both teams went down 1-2-3 in the fourth, the Miceli-Rease-Brouse combination loaded the bases on a pair of walks and the third hit of the night from catcher Tevon Rease. Allen Peterkoski came through with a sacrifice fly to to right field, scoring Miceli. However, the Bearcats held the Braves to only the single run after loading the bases with no-outs.

Bauer pitched better and better as the evening dragged on. After throwing only 9-pitches in the fourth, Zach tossed only 11-pitches to get out of the fifth and 7-pitches to get through the sixth. He was relieved in the seventh by Luke Beehler, who needed only 13-pitches to take the Bearcats down 1-2-3 to close out the game.

Bauer faced 30 at the plate, giving up 4-runs (1-earned) in six innings of work. Bauer gave up only 5-hits, striking out 5 and walking 3. Beehler faced three, striking out one and forcing two groundouts.

Tevon Rease lead all batters going 3-for-4 with a triple, 2-Runs scored, and an RBI. Rease leads the Braves in hits (21) and the Triple in the first inning was his 11th extra base hit of the young season. Rease is batting .447 in league play. Troy Brouse is the ultimate team player. Brouse delivered from the 3-hole, driving in three runs and drawing a walk to load the bases in the 5th. Luke Beehler and Nate Miceli each collected a double and Mike Lewis legged a triple.

BRAVES CAN'T MAKE THE TRIP ON A HALF TANK OF GAS

 The Berea Braves 14U Travel Baseball Team (6-6) staggered in for Monday evenings match-up with the undefeated Westlake Demons (8-0), with barely enough energy to support their Berea Travel Baseball jerseys.

Luke Beehler took to the hill for the Braves, through three-innings he faced 19, walking one, giving up 8-runs on 8-hits with one-strikeout. Beehler wasn’t helped any in the fourth as five errors were committed among the first six batters he faced in the innings. The Braves threw the ball around like they were 10 years old. Nate Miceli relieved Beehler with no-outs recorded in the fourth. Miceli fanned the first two batters that he faced before surrendering the second double of the evening off the bat of Westlakes Mike Barr. Nate got the Braves out of the nightmare inning by forcing the final out on a pop-up to left fielder Tevon Rease. Miceli faced 24 at the plate in four innings of work, walking two in giving up 4-runs on 8-hits, with 4-strikeouts.

The Braves will receive one day of rest between a schedule that will see them playing every other day this week through Sunday. Many of the Braves started Football Camp also on Monday. With school out and waking up early for the 4-hour camp, the Braves didn't have enough gas in the tank to upset the Demons.

BRAVES COURAGEOUS IN DEFEAT

 The Wadsworth Grizzlies came to town riding a 10-1 record and billed as one of the top teams in the CVBA 14U Bid Division, and they didn't disappoint. However, the Braves didn't back down and played well, but in the end the Grizzlies were just too big of mountain to conquer. Alex Bockmiller received the start on the mound for the Braves and did well keeping his pitches away from the Big Wadsworth bats. The Grizzlies lead-off batter, Chris Edwards, gave Bockmiller a taste of what was to come as he waited out Alex's sixth pitch on the night and lined it deep into the right-center field gap for a double. A 0-2 pitch offering on the next batter was misplayed at first base, scoring Edwards for an early lead. The Braves struck back, as catcher Tevon Rease caught Connor Schoonover attempting to steal second for the games first out. Bockmiller took care of the rest, forcing a fly-out to center field and striking-out the huge clean-up hitter, Nick Kennel, on four pitches. The Braves got a piece of the hard throwing Jordan Cutting of Wadsworth in the bottom of the first, but the Grizzlies put away a towering fly ball off the bat of lead-off batter Nate Miceli, then retired a sharp hit ball down the third base line by Zach Bauer before Allen Peterkoski lined a single through the right side of the infield. The Inning was in the books as Luke Beehlers grounder up the middle was fielded with a force-out of Peterkoski at second base. Score: Wadsworth-1, Berea-0.

Bockmiller picked up where he left off and retired the first batter of the fourth on four pitches. The Braves short-stop Luke Beehler disposed a grounder for the second out, but not before the seventh batter in the line-up lined a single into left-center field. With two-outs Bockmiller and the Braves surrendered four consecutive hits, for four runs. Bockmiller got out of the jam when pitcher Jordan Cutting flied-out to left field. The Braves went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the second on a pop-up to shortstop, a strike-out, and a ground-out. Score: Wadsworth-5, Berea-0

Luke Beehler took over for Bockmiller on the mound in the third. Luke made fast work of his relief efforts, striking out the massive clean-up hitter (Kennel), then forcing consecutive pop-ups to center field in sitting the Grizzlies down 1-2-3. Attempting to make something happen and to possibly set the stage for a later attempt, the Braves elected to have Patrick Smith bunt to lead-off the third. Smith laid down a nice bunt, but was thrown out at first. Out number-two was recorded by strike-out, before Nate Miceli fouled off several 3-2 pitches to force a walk with two-outs. Zach Bauer grounded out to second to end the inning. 3^rd Inning score remained: Wadsworth-5, Berea-0

Beehler continued to keep the Grizzlies in-check in the top of the fourth, first forcing the fifth fly ball that the Braves outfield would put away to start off the inning. #8-hitter Kyle Grayton lined a single into left-center, but Beehler came back striking out the next two to face him, both on 2-2 pitches. With one-out in the bottom of the inning, Beehler singled to give the Braves their fourth base runner of the night. However, a missed hit-n-run sign took Beehler off the bases as Tevon Rease hit into a fielders choice into the middle of the infield. Rease stole second and the Braves once again tried to make something happen by stealing Rease on the first pitch to Troy Brouse while Brouse attempted to beat-out a bunt with all intentions of sending Rease all the way from second on the pitch – Brouse however was thrown out at first for the final out of the inning. 4th Inning score remained: Wadsworth-5, Berea-0

The Braves almost made it through the fifth unharmed. After Beehler retired the first two; pop-up to short and another fly-out to center, he finally made a mistake on the massive clean-up hitter, Nick Kennel as the largest player on the field blasted a towering shot over the center field fence on a 0-1 pitch. The shot seemed to get to Beehler as he then surrendered a double and a single before Kyle Grayton blasted a shot of his own off the top of the hill beyond the center field fence at Dora Lee. After walking the next batter on a full count, Luke forced the seventh fly-out to the outfield of the evening, but not before the Grizzlies put up 4 more runs, putting them ahead 9-0. The Braves went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning as the Wadsworth starting pitcher seemed to get better as the game matured.

The Braves could have avoided being run ruled, but again with two-outs the Grizzlies put two more up on the score-board, albeit though this time on gift errors from the Braves fielding. Nate Miceli relieved Beehler to start the sixth and gave up a shot down the first base line that firstbaseman Zach Bauer speared for the first out, then Miceli hit the next batter with a 1-2 offering. Miceli took care of the mistake though by picking the runner off at first with a quick pick-off move and pinpoint throw for out number-two. An error through the legs of Berea’s third baseman would have gotten the Braves out of the inning, but that was followed by a throwing error and then a mis-communicated fly ball between center field and right dropped in for the only stretch of sloppy play of the night. The final out in the inning was recorded on a ground out to Troy Brouse at second. Wadsworth’s starting pitcher trotted out to finish a nearly perfect game, and in the 6^th inning he was throwing his hardest balls of the night, evidence by three Braves strike-outs surrounding Allen Peterkoski’s second base hit of the game. The Wadsworth Grizzlies would shorten the game by way of the mercy run rule 11-0 through six innings of play.

The score may have been lopsided, but those in attendance had to feel that they watched a valiant effort from both teams. Upon further review, it should be noted that 10 of the 11 runs scored by the Wadsworth Grizzlies were scored with two-outs. That tells you what the Wadsworth team is capable of, but also indicates that the Berea Braves were a lot closer to keeping the big Grizzlies team in-check than the score may indicate.

Bockmiller finished with two-innings pitched, facing 12 at the plate, giving up 5-runs (all earned) on 6-hits, walking none and striking out 2. Luke Beehler faced 15 batters through 3-innings of work, giving up 4-runs (all earned) on 5-hits, walking one and striking-out 3. Nate Miceli pitched the sixth and final inning, facing 6 batters, giving up 2-runs (all unearned), no hits, no strikeouts and one hit batter.

The Braves only managed three hits in the game, as Allen Peterkoskis recorded two singles and Luke Beehler had the only other hit. Andre Reinhart had four put-outs in right field for the Braves defense.

The Braves will take a week off before facing undefeated Westlake at home on Monday June 12^th. 

BRAVES FLY HIGHER THAN EAGLES

The Braves traveled from North Ridgeville to Broadview Hts, with a quick meal in between, to take on the Broadview Hts Eagles at 8:00pm in thec secong game of a double-header. The Braves wasted very little time revenging the afternoon loss to North ridgeville and releasing their frustrated bats on the host team. The Braves put up 8-runs in the first inning, punctuated by Mike Lewis inside-the-park Home Run. Berea drew 3 walks, stole 11 bases on four singles before Lewis blast, all in the first. Luke Beehler gave up no hits in facing seven batters through the first two innings, before being relieved by Troy Brouse in the third. By that time, the Braves had mounted a 11-0 lead. Brouse also pitched no-hit ball, except for a 3-run, first pitch 300+ foot Monster Home Run off the bat of #8 Boxenstein. Great defensive plays were made by the Braves reserves all over the field. Allen Peterkoski fielded a backhanded shot down the line and threw-out the runner at first. Tevon Rease in at short-stop completed a 6-4-3 Double play with Henry Delventhal and Zach Bauer to end the 4th inning. Andre Reinhart made a nice catch in left field, Patrick Smith ran down a towering deep fly ball off the bat of Boxenstein to end the first and Mike Lewis secured a fly ball away in right field in the second. Patrick Hopp making his debut at catcher, allowed only two stolen bases through four innings behind the plate. Brouse faced 13 batters, giving up 3-runs on 1-hit (2-earned), striking out 2, walking one and put one on by a hit-by-pitch. Brouse was efficient hurling 38-pitches through three innings of work. The Braves bats were explosive, producing 16-hits in 39 plate appearances (34 at-bats). Zach Bauer lead all hitters going 4-for-4 with 2-doubles, 4-RBI's and 3-Runs scored. Luke Beehler went 3-for-3 in only playing two innings. Tevon Rease was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI's and 3-Runs scored. Rease has batted .500 or better in each of the last seven games. Andre Reinhart went 2-for-4 with 3-RBI's and 2-Runs scored and 4-stolen bases. Patrick Hopp went 1-for-1 with a run scored. Henry Delventhal had his first hit of the season, a deep blast to left field. Had Coach Aten not been asleep at the wheel, Henry could have legged the shot into a triple. The Braves stole 21-bases on the night, in 5-innings before being halted by the Mercy Rule.

TINY UMPIRE HAS HAND IN BIG LOSS FOR BRAVES

BRAVES BEAT COLTS DOWN THE STRETCH

BRAVES CATCH FIRE THEN BURN

The Sheffield Fire traveled to Berea for a typical 6:00pm CVBA game, what they found was a Braves team that just wouldn't quit; 13-innings and three and a half hours later the Fire finished on top as the Braves erased a 4-0 deficient in the 5th to go on top 5-4, then came from behind in the bottom of the 7th to tie the game again at 7-7. The visiting Sheffield team scored two runs in the ninth and the Braves matched them once again. After three scoreless innings the Fire put two more up in the top of the 13th inning and held on as the Braves threatened, but couldn't keep pace in the marathon game.

PITCHING:

Alex Bockmiller made his 2006 CVBA debut on the mound, pitching the first 5-innings, facing 25 batters, giving up 4-Runs (only 1-Earned) on 3-hits, walking-2 and striking out 2. Luke Beehler relieved Bockmiller and faced 18 at the plate in 3-1/3 innings, giving up 5-runs on 6-hits, walking-1 and striking out 4. Nate Miceli closed out the game facing 21 batters in 4-2/3 innings, giving up 2-runs on 2-hits, walking-3. It was a great effort by all three Braves Pitchers.

Tevon Rease lead all hitters with 4-hits, including 3-Doubles, 2-RBI's and 2-Runs scored. Alex Bockmiller had 3-hits and Luke Beehler, Allen Peterkoski, Zach Bauer and Troy Brouse each added 2-hits a piece. Beehler scored twice and batted in 3, including a 2-Run Homer in the 5th. Miceli's pair of hits included a double and 2-Runs scored.

FIELDING:

Twelve days ago, the North Royalton Grizzlys left Berea after suffering a 7-6 defeat at the hands of the Braves. Their counterpart, the North Royalton Bears weren't gonna leave the camp site without taking a bite out of the Braves rear-ends first. The Bears got on the scoreboard early and often. With one out in the first, an error put a runner on and a single and hard hit double drove him in. With two-outs, #33 Krafft knocked the second pitch out of the park for a 4-0 lead. Nate Miceli lead things off for the Braves with a lead-off base hit, but was stranded as the next three Braves flied-out. Behind Miceli's pitching, the Braves got through the second inning surviving through a two-out walk and double. Tevon Rease started things off for the Braves in the bottom of the second with a double over the right fielders head, but he too was stranded after a pop-up and a strike-out. The Braves should have been out of the third inning unharmed, but a lead-off error in right field put a runner on, a double moved runners to second and third. After two put-outs which should have gotten the Braves out of the inning, the Braves gave up a base hit up the middle scoring two more runs. Patrick Smith reached base for the Braves by walking with one out in the bottom of the third. Smitty stole second but once again the Braves bats couldn't come through and stranded yet another runner. That would be the closest the Braves would come as the Bears mauled the Braves for 16-runs in the fourth inning. Three doubles surrounding a hit batter and a bunt single made it 8-0. Miceli was relieve and saved for better days. Andre Reinhart made his CVBA debut and the hitting, doubles and errors continued until it was 16-0. Zach Bauer was brought in as the third pitcher in the inning and things didn't get much better. The only thing that saved the Braves was a gift call from the field umpire for the third out. The Braves padded a few offensive stats in the eventual route as Zach Bauer, Luke Beehler and Andre Reinhart all singled to lead-off the fourth. After a strike-out, Henry Delventhal drew a walk forcing in the Braves only run. Just to keep with the first three innings, the Braves went down by strike-out and a pop out to strand loaded bases. The game was called by way of the 15-run Mercy rule.

The Braves will put this one behind them and get ready for the Sheffield Fire the following night.

BEEHLER AND THE BRAVES DEFENSE QUIET THE STORM

After waiting out a 10-day wash-out of most area ball games by mid-May showers, the Braves were far from rusty in their return to the ball diamond. This game had been rained out four days earlier and today's make-up was strategically scheduled to coincide with the Berea Baseball Associations Opening Day festivities, which had also been rained out a week earlier and rescheduled for this date. Sitting center stage on Lou Groza Field # 2, the Braves put on a defensive performance for the Home crowd. The Medina Storm blew into town with a 3-3 record to meet the Braves who were holding a 3-2 standing. Luke Beehler was giving his second start and he would prove to be the right choice as the Strom never packed any punch off of him. The game was scoreless after three complete innings. Beeler struck-out 4, giving up only one-hit facing 11 at the plate through the first three innings. #16 Wilson for the Storm faced only 10 Braves bats through the first three innings, giving up only one-hit as well, striking out two.

Beehler with help from his defense put the Storm down 1-2-3 in the fourth. A one out single up the middle was erased when Nate Miceli took an unassisted grounder, stepped on second and threw out the batter for a double-play. Miceli also lead-off the bottom half of the inning by waiting on a slow floating breaking ball and hammering it into right-center field. Consecutive ground-outs to the thirdbaseman moved Miceli to third and Beehler came through with a rip basehit down the line to score Miceli for the games first run. The Braves forced pop-ups to get out of the 5th inning. Beehler made a nice play running down a pop-up that went straight-up and was caught in foul territory near the back-stop. Zach Bauer did the same on a foul ball pop-up just off first base and Patrick Hopp secured one away in right field. The Braves bats went back to work again as Tevon Rease lined a base hit into center and Alex Bockmiller layed down a perfect bunt that not only moved Rease over, but went for a single and an error that scored Rease from first and when the dust had settled, Bockmiller was left standing on second. After one out and Bockmiller now on third, Troy Brouse came to the play with already establishing his capabilities in bunting the ball. Brouse layed down a  bunt in the 3rd inning that went foul by only inches, then moved the runner over in his second attempt bunt. Coach Aten and Brouse huddled just outside of the batter's box and discussed squeezing in Bockmiller from third. When the coach noticed the Medina infielders being waved-in to take away the squeeze threat, he instructed Brouse to swing away. Brouse took the first pitch and carefully layed it over the infields heads dropping in for an RBI basehit into center, making the score 3-0 in favor of the Braves.

Beehler continued to have the storms number, as he forced two more infield pop-ups and a strike-out in the top of the 6th. Luke then went to work on adding to the score by cranking a double over the center fielders head to lead-off a one-out rally. With two-outs, Tevon Rease smashed a shot to the base of the 300' left field fence, scoring Beehler and resulting in a double of his own. Reese scored when Alex Bockmiller lined a base hit into center. Patrick Hopp followed with a single, putting runners on the corners. The Braves then were retired only by their own wrong-doing and trying to be too cute. Coach Aten called for a first-n-third play that the team spent plenty of time executing in the gym this winter, but the execution wasn't as honed as need be and the play resulted in Hopp being caught in a pickle between first and second for the final out. Beehler trotted out for the final inning and cruised through the first two outs by retiring the lead-off batter on three straight pitches and forcing a ground-out to Troy Brouse at second. The Storm then recorded two solid base hits, moving a runner to second base for only the second time in the entire game (Note: the storm never set foot on third base on the afternoon). The final out was recorded on a grounder into the hole at shortstop and Nate Miceli caught up with it and threw back to Troy Brouse at second for the force-out.

Luke Beehler was brilliant from the mound, facing 27-batters, walking one, striking out 6, and allowing no runs on 5-hits. Nate Miceli went 2-for-3 with a run scored, Luke Beehler went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Tevon Rease went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and 2-runs scored. Alex Bockmiller also went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Troy Brouse went 1-1 with a sacrifice Bunt, and an RBI. The Braves defense was nearly perfect; Zach Bauer put away an unassisted grounder and two pop-ups at first, Troy Brouse put away a pair of pop-ups and a pair of ground balls at second, Nate Miceli turned an unassisted double play, fielded a pop-up and took care of the game ending ground ball that came his way at short stop, and third baseman Alex Bockmiller secured away a pop-fly recording the final out in the third inning as the Braves infield committed no errors in the game.

The Braves will receive one day of rest before facing the undefeated North Royalton Bears on Monday in the first of three games in four days.

TEVON REASE'S WALK-OFF HOMER TAMES THE GRIZZLY'S

The Braves went with a defensive line-up in facing last season's League Champion North Royalton Grizzly. The Grizzly finished with a record of 22-1 in the regular season and reportedly won 35 games on the year. The Grizzly's traveled to Berea sporting a 3-0 record on the young season. Mitch Tocarchick was surprised by the last second call from Head Coach Stan Aten to start on the mound. The coach was planning on some solid defense to help Tocarchick through the first few innings. He received help on the lead-off batter, as Nate Miceli ran down a short liner into center field for out number one, but things began to sour quickly. A dribbler into the right side of the infield, left first base uncovered and allowed the Grizzly's first base runner. A Fly ball into foul territory was secured by first baseman Zach Bauer for out #2, but two straight walks loaded the bases and the sixth batter to reach the plate lined a base hit down the third base line scoring two. A base hit to center field scored another. The third base on balls loaded the bases once again. Nate Miceli replaced Tocarchick on the mound with two-outs and three on. Miceli fanned the next batter to end the threat, as the visiting team lead 3-0. The Braves fought right back. Nate Miceli lead things off with a walk and Allen Peterkoski singled. After a fielders choice and another walk, the Braves had bases loaded with one-out. Andre Reinhart batted in Miceli with a base hit up the middle. Troy Brouse hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Zach Bauer. Alex Bockmiller lined a single up the middle to score Luke Beehler and Tevon Rease singled to right field scoring Reinhart. The rally ended on a strike-out after batting through the 9-man order, but the Braves lead 4-3 after the first full inning of play. To add to the drama, the rain started falling during warm-ups and continued to fall steadily.

Miceli put the Grizzly down 1-2-3 on a strike-out, ground-out to third baseman Alex Bockmiller and a groundout to second baseman Troy Brouse. The Braves started to make some noise again in the bottom of the inning. After a lead-off fly-out to center, Allen Peterkoski reached base on balls. Zach Bauer hit to opposite field for a base hit and Luke Beehler followed with a hit up the middle to load the bases with one-out. Andre Reinhart smoked a shot down the third base line that was caught on the bag, as the Grizzly doubled-up on the aggressive base running by the Braves to end the inning. North Royalton tied the game 4-4 in the third on a solo Home Run by clean-up hitter #55 Harrell. The Braves had bases loaded again in the bottom of the third after a walk of Brouse, a base hit by Bockmiller and a walk of Patrick Smith. However, three strike-outs on big Berea bats ended another threat. North Royalton went down 1-2-3 at the hands of Nate Miceli in both the 4th and 5th Inning. The Braves couldn't do much with a lead-off single by Bauer in the 4th, but produced two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a base hit by Tevon Rease that was misfielded in center field and allowed Rease to reach second. A base hit by Miceli scored Rease for the go-ahead run. A single to left field off the bat of Peterkoski scored Miceli as the Braves lead 6-4 after 5 complete innings.

North Royalton didn't win 35-games last season on a wing and a prayer. A lead-off walk, a stolen base and a single to left scored one run in the 6th. A single followed by a double in the seventh tied the score at 6-6 as Luke Beehler replaced Miceli on the mound for that final inning. The Braves went down 1-2-3 in the 6th. Tied at 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh, the Grizzly's recorded the first out by way of strike-out. Coach Aten met Tevon Rease on-deck and advised Tevon that the North Royalton pitchers had been throwing a first pitch for a strike to most batters. He asked Tevon Rease to go up there looking for the first pitch fast ball and to take a big cut worthy of knocking it out of the park. Confusingly for Rease, who had been harped on all week to quit swinging for the fence, he said that he needed to change bats if he was going to swing away and asked that his other bat be kept nearby in the event that he missed with the swing. Rease dug-in and on the first pitch delivery he blasted a shot deep into the rainy night and when the fielders pulled up at the fence and the ball bounced off the hill on the other side, the Braves dugout and stands burst into cheers. The walk-off home run ended a drought against North Royalton that dates back to 2003.

Mitch Tocarchick finished with a no-decision. He faced 8-batters, walking three, giving up 3-runs on 3-hits in 2/3rds of an Inning. Nate Miceli was brilliant in relief, facing 20 at the plate, striking out four, walking one in allowing 2-runs on three hits in 5-1/3 Innings. Luke Beehler recorded the Win, facing 5-batters, giving up one-run on two hits, no walks with one strike-out. Tevon Rease lead the Braves going 3-for-4 from the plate with the solo Home Run to win the game. Rease had 2-RBI's with 2-Runs scored. Allen Peterkoski went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Zach Bauer went 2-for-4 with a run scored and Alex Bockmiller also went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The Braves will celebrate this victory for about 24hrs before they have to start preparing for the 6-1 Wadsworth Grizzlies who are on top of the leader board in the Red Division.

BASE RUNNING AND WALKS DOWN MOUND HOUNDS

Luke Beehler was given the start in the Braves first ever meeting with the Elyria Mound Hounds. Beehler held the visiting team scoreless through three innings, while the Braves continued to struggle at the plate. The Braves have had trouble putting the ball in play with runners in scoring position and the woes continued tonight. Three of the first four Braves reached base by way of walk, but were stranded there when the Berea bats went down swinging in consecutive strike-outs. The Braves also put two on with one-out in the second inning, before once again going down with consecutive strike-outs. In the third inning, the Braves had to rely on manufacturing the games first run. With one-out Allen Peterkoski reached base by error. Coach Aten was a bit too conservative in leaving Peterkoski on first and not stealing him over and it cost the Braves as Allen was clipped off the bases on a fielders choice ball hit by Beehler.With two-outs, Beehler stole second. In an attempt to pick-off Beehler from second, the ball was over thrown and bounced into center field. Beehler advanced to third and with a lame attempt of the Mound Hounds center fielder to recover the ball in short center field, Beehler was waved home. A relay from center to short-stop to home was too late as Beehler slid under the tag for the games first run. Elyria tried to manufacture a run of their own in the top of the inning. The first two batters of the third reached base on singles up the middle. The runners were moved over on a bunt from the Mound Hounds leadoff batter, as the Braves threw the batter out at first. With runners on second and third the Mound Hounds tried to squeeze bunt, but it back-fired in their faces. The bunted ball was popped-up and catcher Allen Peterkoski fielded it and threw out the runner on third who was left hung-out-to-dry from running on the pitch. After three-innings the Braves lead 1-0.

The Mound Hounds struck back in the top of the fourth. An error by the Braves short-stop put the lead-off runner on. A double tied the score. A groundout to short advanced the runner to third, but recorded the first out. A full-count walk put runners on the corners temporarily until he took the open base - attempting to draw attention so that the runner on third could score. Beehler and the Braves played things well and allowed the runner to advance with no harm done. A strike-out forced the second out before a bloop single into right field was misplayed and allowed to skip past the Braves left fielder, scoring the pair. The Braves got out of the inning when Patrick Smith secured a deep fly ball to center. Elyria now led 3-1. The Braves added one run in the bottom of the fourth as Smith drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third with two stolen bases and was batted in by Zach Bauer. The Mound Hounds went down 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth, the Braves however finally got their 'big inning' in the bottom of the inning. Allen Peterkoski lead off with a single. He was replaced on the bases when Beehler hit into his second fielders choice. Beehler stole his way around to third and Troy Brouse walked and stole the open second base. The game opened up when Andre Reinhart lined a deep rocket-shot down the third base line that has hit so hard that it bounced over the fence for a ground rule double, scoring both Beehler and Brouse. Alex Bockmiller batted in Reinhart with a basehit up the middle. Patrick Smith kept things going with the third base hit in a row for the Braves. With runners on the corners, Patrick Smith was in an attempt to steal second when Mitch Tocarchick popped up to the short-stop, and attempt at a double-play on a retreating Smith back to first created a controversial call at first. While the Mound Hounds were caught up in the close play at first, Alex Bockmiller tagged up and scored on the play. Patrick Smith then stole his way around to third and Nate Miceli batted him in for the innings fifth run. The Braves stranded two on the bases but now lead 7-3 after five complete innings.

The Mound Hounds got one back in the sixth on two base hits and a well hit ball to third that was mishandled by the Braves. After a leadoff pop-up to start the sixth, the Braves forced three straight walks to load the bases. Alex Bockmiller singled for his second straight hit, driving in a run. A strike-out made it two outs with bases loaded. Mitch Tocarchick put the ball into play and it was mishandled at short stop. The mishap allowed two more Braves to score making the score 10-4. Beehler trotted out for the seventh and final inning and finished as brilliant as he started, striking out the last three after surrendering a lead-off double.

Beehler pitched a complete game, facing 32-at the plate, walking 2, striking out 7 in giving up 4 runs (only 1 earned) on 8-hits. Beehler hurled 103-pitches in efficient fashion as he threw 17-pitches or more in only one inning, the fourth. In comparison, the mound Hounds used two pitchers who combined for 166 pitches, walking 13 batters. The walks allowed the Braves to score 10-runs on only 5-hits, stealing 18-bases on the night.

BRAVES CAN'T OVERCOME BIG INNING BY REVERE

The Braves were on the warpath down in Revere on a perfect evening for baseball. Nate Miceli was handed the rock for the first Away start of the CVBA season. Miceli also lead the game off with a base hit up the middle. Tevon Rease added to the bases, getting struck by the second pitch thrown to him. Allen Peterkoski loaded the bases, singling through the hole between third and short. After gaining an out by way of strike-out, Revere tried to get out of the inning by turning a double-play, but the second leg throw was off target as both Miceli and Rease scored on the play. Zach Bauer was credited with the two RBI’s as the Braves lead 2-0. Miceli and his defense retired Revere 1-2-3 to end the bottom half of the first. 

Revere’s starting pitcher (#17 Monte) seemed to get better as the game progressed. In the second Inning he fanned the first two Braves to the plate before surrendering a base hit into left field off the bat of Alex Bockmiller, then he canned the third out on three pitches, the third - a called third strike. Miceli served Revere a similar fate although gave up a lead-off hit to start the inning before striking out the next two. With two outs, the Home team singled again and after a stolen base, had runners in scoring position before Nate retired the last out himself on a full count pitch. 

The Braves added to their lead in the top of the third as Peterkoski singled to begin a rally with two-outs. Luke Beehler reached base on a dropped third strike and Zach Bauer, batting in the #5 spot for the first time, singled, driving in his third run of the evening. Mike Lewis loaded up the bases on a misplayed ball by the Revere defense, but the Braves were caught once again watching a called third strike, this time stranding three ducks on the pound. Braves lead 3-0 after the top of the third. The Braves had been playing good sound baseball before coming apart at the seams in the bottom of the inning. Our lovely score-keeper credited the Home team with much too many base hits in this inning when in all reality the Braves errors did them in. The lead-off batter reached base on a base hit to right, and Miceli could have plucked him from the bases but couldn’t come up with a liner back to the mound. Nate recovered the ball and threw the lead runner out at second for out number one. Errors would follow on a picture perfect double play ball up the middle, a strange ghostly foul ball that started two-feet foul down the third base line and ended two-feet fair, a misplayed flyball to center field, a missed cut-off throw in from right, a hit batter, an over-throw to second on a steal, and an ill-advised throw down to third with two-outs which skipped into left field … those costly mistakes were straight from my haunting memory and not the scorebook and I’m certain that I left out (blocked out) several more. When the dust settled the Bad guys had put up EIGHT runs in the inning to take an 8-3 lead through three complete innings of play. 

The Braves bottom of the order hit the ball hard to begin the fourth, but two were put away by the third baseman sandwiched around the sixth strike-out of the game by the Revere starting pitcher. This inning was more important for the pitch-count of Revere’s starting hurler, as he only threw 6-pitches in the inning. Mitch Tocarchick took to the mound for the Braves for his first ever CVBA appearance. First pitch thrown was a called ball, and the second pitch was popped up in grand fashion as Tocarchick couldn’t get under it and he and the ball both dropped onto the dust covered field, separately, for the third leadoff batter to reach base in as many innings. The Braves re-arranged defense gave Mitch a nice helping hand, as Beehler fielded a sharp hit grounder up the middle, stepped on second for the force-out and gunned down the batter for a double-play. The third batter nearly ripped one down the Braves third baseman’s throat, putting a runner on again and forcing Tocarchick to pitch from the stretch once again. Mitch did a nice job at keeping his pitches down and the result ended with Beehler retiring out number three by way of groundout. 

The Braves went down 1-2-3 in the fifth as The Revere gun seemed to throw harder with 70+ pitches under his belt than he did in the first inning. The first two Braves were sat down on called strikes, both on a 2-2 count, the third out recorded on a groundout to second. Tocarchick continued to pitch well and efficiently, striking out the leadoff batter, giving up a hit to right field, then forcing a pop-up to Beehler at short and ground out to him as well. The Braves went down 1-2-3 in the 5^th for the third straight inning on a ground out to third, a groundout to second and a called third strike on a full count pitch. Tocarchick countered by forcing three groundouts of his own around a base hit single. 

The Braves made some noise in the 7^th. Patrick Hopp, inserted back into the lineup on the confidence of his coach even though he struggled to the plate to this point in the game, placed a well hit ball to the leftside of the infield and appeared to beat out the throw. The Homer umps didn’t see it that way and the Braves were two-outs away from falling 1-2 on the young season. Troy Brouse also put a solid bat on the ball, grounding out to third. Henry Delventhal received a pinch hit at-bat and drew a walk on a 3-1 pitch and Patrick Smith reached base after forcing a full count pitch out of the strike zone putting two on with two outs. Nate Miceli batted them both in with a triple over the left fielders head, pulling the Braves within 3 with a runner on third. Tevon Rease couldn’t keep it alive though as a nicely played ball by the second baseman ended the late rally. 

The Revere starting pitcher was recorded for 105 pitches on the night. In the Braves two losses, they’ve seen opposing pitchers throw 104 & 105 pitches against them. It appears that the opposition circles the Braves on their calendars as a ‘must-win’. Miceli’s stats are hard to calculate, he threw 40-pitches alone in the third inning, but it’s hard telling how many runs, if not all eight, were even earned. Nate finished with 69-pitches thrown to 22-batters, striking out four, with one hit batter and no walks through three complete innings. Tocarchick in his CVBA debut faced 12-batters through three innings, fanning one, walking none, giving up no runs on two hits. 

The Braves have already shook this one off and are now focused on Eylria coming to town tonight as Luke Beehler will take to the hill for his first start of the season.

PITCHING DUAL COMES OUT IN FAVOR OF INDEPENDENCE

Independence starter #12 Ineman, out-dueled a courageous effort by Berea hurlers Nate Miceli and Luke Beehler. The visiting Independence team jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on a couple of hits that found voids in the Braves defense. Once with the lead, Ineman proved too much for the Braves bats as he struck-out 13 in 5-1/3 shut-out innings. After the initial scoring barrage, Miceli settled in and fanned 6 in five innings of work, holding Indy in check. Luke Beehler replaced Miceli to start the 6th, and struck out 4, giving up only one hit in facing 7. The Braves bats just couldn't capitalize on bases loaded with one-out in the first, or with the lead-off runner in scoring position in both the 5th and 6th innings and they also stranded loaded bases to end the game in the 7th.