Since the Redlegs were founded way back in 2010, they have played 24 games against the South Dayton Slammers. The all-time series is tied 12 games to 12 with the Slammers averaging 8 runs per game and the Redlegs averaging 7 runs per game. Out of the 24 total games, 20 of them have been decided by 3 runs or fewer. Of those 20 games, 9 have been decided by only 1 run. The take home here is that when these two clubs meet up on the diamond, you can bet it is going to be a closely contested battle that usually comes right down to the end. Their game on Sunday would prove to be no different.

Aaron Carmack got the start for the Redlegs and was on point as usual, racking up 8 strikeouts through 5 innings of work and allowing 2 runs (0 earned). Unfortunately he was opposed by 2016 Cy Young award winner Dan Comes who only allowed 2 Redleg runs to score over the first 5 innings.

The Slammers would draw first blood in the bottom of the 3rd inning, using a couple of Redleg miscues to plate a couple of runs. The Redlegs broke up a no hit bid from Comes in the top of the 4th when Matt Redman started the inning with a single. Redman then stole 2nd, but Comes recorded 2 straight outs before Kyle Arend was able to force a close play at 1st on a grounder to shortstop. The throw would get by the first baseman allowing Redman to score.

Arend then prevented a couple of runs from scoring in the 4th when the Slammers had 2 on and 2 out and Todd Barhorst blistered a ball down the first base line. Kyle made a slick sliding stop and was able to win the footrace to first and end the threat.

The Redlegs then evened things up in the top of the 5th. Matt Morrison was able to manufacture a run with a 2 out single. He then stole 2nd and made his break to steal 3rd on a pitch that found its way to the backstop. Morrison never broke stride and cruised all the way around to tie the game at 2.

Carmack would then be given his first lead when the Redlegs scored 3 times in the top of the 6th. Jacob Robinson worked a one out walk and moved to 2nd on a ground ball out. With 2 out, Kyle Arend drove Robinson home with a base hit, Joey Watson walked, and Mike Hartman and Brandon Howard each delivered RBI singles.

With Carmack in line for his 1st win of the year, the Redlegs went to the bullpen in the bottom of the 6th. Kevin Campbell took the ball and recorded two quick outs, but Dan Barhorst doubled with 2 out, stole 3rd, and scored on a passed ball to cut the lead to 5-3. The Slammers kept chipping away in the 7th as an error allowed another run to score.

Leading 5-4, the Redlegs got another run of cushion when Mike Hartman drove in his 2nd run of the game with a sacrifice fly. But as we know from the history of these two teams, it certainly is not over until the final out is called. The Slammers used 3 consecutive hits to tie the game at 6 and leave runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. In the high pressure spot, the Redlegs turned to Matt Redman to try and get out of the inning. The Slammers were able to scrape together the go-ahead run however, and put the pressure on the Redleg offense in the top of the 9th.

After a ground out to start the 9th, Matt Morrison singled to put the tying run on base. He then stole 2nd base, but a strikeout was recorded on the pitch to bring the Redlegs down to their final out. Matt Redman, playing with a leg injury sustained earlier in the game, stepped to the plate and delivered a single into right field. Morrison motored around 3rd and beat the throw to the plate to tie the game.

Redman then recorded a 1-2-3 bottom of the 9th, giving Camden a shot at taking the lead in extra innings. After a leadoff single, the Slammers quickly squashed most of the Redlegs hopes with a perfectly turned double play, but 3 straight 2 out singles from Joey Watson, Mike Hartman, and Brandon Howard lead to the go ahead run crossing the plate.

Leading by 1 in the bottom of the 10th, Matt Redman would have to get through the heart of the potent Slammers lineup to secure the win. He was able to get the first two batters out on infield pop ups before Todd Barhorst worked a walk. Barhorst would move up to 2nd on a passed ball, but Redman was able to buckle down and record a strike out to end the game.

Finally back over .500, the Redlegs look next to the Miami Valley Expos in a double header on May 21st at 1:00pm and 4:00pm at Madison High School.

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