BRENTWOOD, Tenn — A rematch of last night’s thrilling ending, was another pitchers duel. This time it was brought to you by Aaron Maher and Bryce Denton.
Denton was perfect through three innings and kept Bruin batters guessing all night in the 5-0 victory over the Raptors’ arch-rivals.
“I felt really comfortable, felt like I had good velocity.” said Denton. “I just went out there and tried to attack every hitter.”
The starter also made sure Ravenwood didn’t wait until the later innings to cross the plate. He hit an RBI double into the ally in left, helping his own cause and giving the Raptors a 1-0 lead before Brentwood ever got a chance to bat.
Ravenwood added to their lead in the top of the fourth. Micah Kaczkor slapped an 0-2 pitch into left that was mishandled by the left fielder. Darrell Freeman, who doubled to the wall in left, came around to score.
The Raptors were not done in the fourth. Hagan Severance singled, bringing in another Raptor run and making the score 3-0.
Brentwood’s best opportunity to get back in the game came in the bottom half of the fourth.
The Bruins had runners on the corners with nobody out for slugger, David Pemintal, who had homered just hours ago against Summit.
The first throw from Denton went wild to the backstop. Maher tried to score from third but got caught in a run down and was eventually tagged for the second out.
Later in the inning the Bruins loaded them up, but Bryce Denton was too cool on Tuesday. He struck out another batter to to end the inning, keeping Brentwood off the board.
The Ravenwood faithful started to sense victory when Darrell Freeman’s opposite field fly ball disappeared into the trees behind Nick Waggoner Field. Freeman’s solo jack put the visitors up 4-0.
They would add some insurance in the top of the seventh on a Matthew Dudas line drive double to left, which plated Davis Elliot, making it 5-0 RHS.
When the last out was made, the celebration began on the mound with District Tournament MVP Bryce Denton, who, when asked “What it felt like to win district by beating Brentwood twice?” Said, “There is no better feeling.”
“Been going for this for two years now and finally got it.”
Ravenwood will now host the loser of Overton/Hillsboro in Regionals, while Brentwood will have to travel to the winner of that game.
Both of those contest will be played this coming Monday.
There will be full video highlights of this game on next Monday’s “The First Four”
SIDENOTE: Brentwood got to the championship by defeating Summit in the 4:30 match-up 5-4. David Pimental homered in that game.
Please join our FREE Newsletter
