BrewCrew Open Season Avenging Red Sox

In 2016, the Chesapeake Red Sox served the BrewCrew their only loss in the 2nd Annual Battle of Baltimore, a tournament that the BrewCrew would eventually win. In the top of the first the Red Sox were able to get runners in scoring position with one out but starter EJ Nadolny was able to wiggle out of the jam with no damage. In the bottom half of the inning, singles by BrewCrew rookie Harry Slade and BrewCrew veteran Kenny "Kenbob" West put the 'Crew up 1-0.

After a seemless top half of the second the BrewCrew poured on six runs highlighted by Pat Donnelly RBI single and Zach Nadolny RBI double. Tommy "Maz" Mazurkiewicz added his first hit as a Brew to drive in two runs. More torture for the Red Sox came in the third with five more runs. West finished the damage with a grand slam to center.

E. Nadolny took a no hitter into the last from but could not hold on as the Red Sox added two hits with one out. The dust settled and the Brews won 12-2.

A victory in game two of the tournament would put them into the quarterfinals on Sunday. Travis Alwine takes the bump facing the Hawks.

Hawks Late Rally Ties 'Crew, Clinches Quarterfinal Birth

Travis Alwine started game two for the BrewCrew in a critical game in Battle of Baltimore. A BrewCrew win would propel them directly into the semi-finals and a loss would put their chances of advancing in jeopardy. Alwine started the game a little slow with a walk but then gained composure. A swollen calf (we are unsure of which leg or cause of injury) limited his start to only one single inning. Alwine would have to make an emergency exit (an uber) during the fourth inning from the injury. The Hawks scratched across one run in Alwine's frame.

The BrewCrew answered quickly in the bottom half. Harry Slade, a rookie for the BrewCrew this year, lead off for a walk. Connor Goodie was then hit by a pitch and then Zach Nadolny singled to bring home both runners. After that the offense came to a halt for the remainder of the game. John Edwards, in his first game as a Brew, took over for Alwine in the second. He looked excellent in the first three innings. He guided the BrewCrew into the fifth but then seemed to tire. The Hawks did not put the ball in play in the inning but still scored two runs cause of free passes from Edwards. Edwards finished with four innings, nine strikeouts, one hit and two runs. An excellent first outing for the rookie who we look for more great things in the upcoming year.

Steve Cooke threw the sixth and seventh innings with five strikeouts and no hits to secure the tie.

Players of the game for the 'Crew are Edwards for his excellent relief performance and Ben Henry for his terrific work behind the plate, playing stiff defense including throwing out two baserunners ending Hawk rallies. The tie puts the BrewCrew in the next round, but will be playing in the quarterfinals.

Brews Crush Their Way Into Semis

Yet again, a rookie found himself in a critical spot for the BrewCrew. Brooks Rothschild started on the mound and was off to a quick start. After going 1-2-3 in the top half, the BrewCrew rallied in the bottom half. Connor Goodie walked and stole second. He was doubled home on a double by Tommy Mazurkiewicz. Maz's double was a ball that was pulled back from over the fence by the Cougar defender but was unable to secure the out. A few cougar miscues and a EJ Nadolny two run single put the Brews up 6-0.

After the Cougars put up their first run in the third the Brews got back at it. Johnny Bandzwolek walked, Dan Fama singled, and Ben Henry singled home both runners. They weren't done there. Goodie, Kenny West, and Zach Nadolny doubled to bring the score to 11-1.

Cougars put together another rally in the fourth but was stifled by a line drive double play to third basemen Zach Nadolny. They were halted at two runs in the frame. The BrewCrew mounted a three run rally in the bottom of the inning and EJ Nadolny retired the side in the fifth to close out a 5 inning slaughter rule victory.

The BrewCrew were led by Rothschild's first win as a Brew and West's three RBI game. Next up is the Maryland Dodgers in the semis.

Dodgers Knock Out BrewCrew in Semis

For the third year in a row, the BrewCrew squared off against the Dodgers in a Battle of Baltimore elimination game. In 2015, the BrewCrew defeated them in the championship and in 2016 the BrewCrew were once again victorious in the semi-finals. This year, the BrewCrew ace Steve Cooke squared off against Chris Jackson of the Dodgers.

The BrewCrew stumbled out of the gate. After Jackson retired them 1-2-3, the Dodgers took advantage of the shorthanded 'Crew. A couple misplayed balls led to four runs, three unearned in the first and dug a large hole. In the second, the Dodgers tacked on another to hang a 5-0 lead.

The Brews at the bottom of the lineup got things started in the third. Rookie Andy Welling smashed a single to center and went to second on a error. Then Dan Fama stayed hot with a single to left to score Welling and cut into the Dodger lead. Scoring stayed quiet till the sixth. Once again the bottom got everything started. Big Ben Henry lined a single to center followed by Welling and Fama reaching to load the bases.

Connor Goodie drew a bases loaded walk to score the second run and to chase Jackson. The Dodgers brought in their closer and on the first pitch, West drove a single to left to score two runs. A strikeout and walk followed to set the table for the 2016 Battle of Baltimore MVP Johnny Bandzwolek. Bandzwolek would send a two strike pitch to the wall in center that was caught for the third out.

With the score 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth, the Dodgers put on their rally caps. They took advantage of a pair of one out walks and used speed on the base paths to add two insurance runs, which is where the final score would stay.

This is the first time in three years that the BrewCrew could not retrieve the Battle of Baltimore championship. The stars of the game would be Dan Fama who reached base in 3/4 plate appearances and Kenny West who drove in two runs. Steve Cooke would go complete game with four earned and eleven strikeouts.

BrewCrew look forward to the regular season starting in early May.