Bel Air, MD- The Braves on Sunday topped the reigning HMBL Champion Yankees, 18-7, at Shucks Park.  The tribe's entire batting order collected at least one hit, led by Jamal Frazier, who collected two single baggers, two doubles, two RBI's, a run scored, a stolen base, and to the delight of fantasy owners, a partridge in a pair tree.  Frazier's onslaught was so complete, the team had to stop Jon Thurston from climbing a nearby pair tree looking for soup. 

Others contributing of note; Bobby Neukum with three hits, including a double that prompted the medical team to treat him after the game for a pulled lung; Brandon Roebuck with two hits (and day-to-day with a pulled old-man hammy); Bryan Owens with two more hits and three RBI's; ditto for Paul Valle (two hits, three RBI's); Tim Deyesu with two hits; and Bart Dellinger with a late double, driving in three which sealed the game.  

(Above: Josh Fuerst delivers a pitch vs. the Yankees on Sunday, April 28, 2024.)

On the hill, Josh Fuerst has cemented himself in the race for a Josh Fuerst Award in the early going, hurling another five innings of scoreless ball from the crater (mound) at Shucks Park.  Bobby Neukum made his first appearance as closer in this one, walking up to the mound to "Freedom!" by George Michael (being played by the Orioles at an adjacent field).  Although the song intimidated no-one, Nuke managed to close out the ninth in relief of Jon Thurston (with another solid relief appearance himself), retiring all three batters he faced.  

Look for the Braves in battle once again this weekend at Shucks Park against a red hot Cubs team who plucked the Orioles clean in concurrent action at Shucks this past Sunday.  

The Susky Braves are off to a 2-0 start to the 2024 campaign, knocking off the Cardinals, 9-8 in a last inning nail-biter, and the Orioles 8-5 in Sunday action the last two weeks.  Fantasy owners have got to be thrilled with the early results of the Braves pitching staff, led by the returning Josh Fuerst.  Fuersty has pitched for a combined 8 innings pitched in the early going, striking out 10 while only allowing 3 hits, earning a W.  Jon Thurston has been solid as well, hurling 6 2/3's in releif, picking up a save and a win along the way.    

At the dish, Bryan Owens is officially ON FIRE, collecting 5 hits in 7 plate appearances with 5 RBI's.  Chip Bokel is hot on his tail collecting 3 hits himself along with 3 RBI's and a couple runs scored.  After Matt Buerhaus improbably led the team in stolen bases in 2023 with a whopping 2 swiped bags (in the first game of the year, no less), the stolen base race is officially on in 2024 with the team already swiping 8 bags through 2 games.  Jamal Frazier leads the pack with four swipes in the early going.  

Look for the Braves in action once again this Sunday vs. the defending HMBL Champion Yankees at Shucks Park.  News about a new stadium lease at the Braves home park, Patterson Mill, is heating up.  The hope is the Braves will make a return to Patterson in the coming weeks.  

Stay tuned!

Career Braves records and single season records for the Harford Mens Baseball League have been updated on the site and can be found in the pages drop down menu.  Enjoy!