Frederick Hustlers (13U)

Coming off a weekend in which they played six games in Pittsburgh, the Hustlers dug deep and escaped with a 5-4 win over the Hickory Hornets in quarter-final CRAB League action at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen on Tuesday evening. The storyline was the Hustlers’ trademark defense as they turned two double plays to thwart Hornet rallies. Both teams traded runs in the first before the Hornets erupted for three runs in the third on three-run home run from Cody Kurek to take a 4-1 lead. The Hustlers showed grit and determination by responding with two of their own in the bottom half on RBI singles by Dustin Isanogle and Marshall Mott. In the top of the fourth with a runner on first and one out, Tyler Prather snagged a one-hopper headed for right field and threw to Matt Cunningham at second who turned and fired to a hustling JT Sachar at first for a text book double play. The Hustlers then added two more in the bottom half on walks to Prather and Ryan Bennett and singles by Cunningham and Andrew McElwain. The nail in the coffin, however, proved to be in the top of the fifth when the Hornets loaded the bases with no outs and fell victim to another double play. First, Cunningham fielded a ball at short and showed off his arm getting a force at home. Then, Mott fielded a come-backer and threw to DeLisi at home who then unleashed a fastball to Prather to complete the 1-2-3 back-breaking double play. Luke Schlimm pitched four strong innings with six strikeouts before giving way to Mott in the fifth. Mott entered with the bases loaded and pitched out of the jam.

The Hustlers return to Aberdeen on Wednesday night for a semi-final clash with the Gambrills Athletic Club.