Blueberg wins it for Cardinals

Appeal StaffReport

Despite being their own worst enemies, the Carson Cardinals were able to pull out a 4-3 win over the Blue Devils on Colby Blueberg's walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning on Friday at Ron McNutt Field.

The Cardinals were able to win despite leaving 12 runners on base through the first seven innings and having six baserunners thrown out. In the eighth after a sacrifice bunt by David Charles moved Tyler Smith to second and Cameron Mayville's groundball to the right side moved Smith to third, Blueberg came through with his two-out game-winning hit.

The Cardinals forced extra innings when they trailed 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh. Tommy Preston hit an RBI triple and Brooks Hutchins followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to make it 3-3.

Smith picked up the win, retiring the side in order in the top of the eighth, striking out one. Starting pitcher Tyler Hutchins allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits while striking out four over six innings. David Perce struck out the side in the seventh.

The Cardinals made it 3-1 in the fifth when Blueberg tripled and scored on Brett Valley's bunt single. Valley and Blueberg each had three hits, Preston had two hits and Jeff Butler and Mayville each added a hit for Carson.