ROYALS SWEEP LONDON TO END WINNIG SEASON

The Royals ended their 2009-2010 season on Sunday with a sweep over the London Badgers to end the PBLO season with 17 wins and 16 losses.

After both games were cancelled due to rain on Saturday in London, the Royals needed to win both games on Sunday to give them a winning record for the season and they were not to be denied as they beat the Badgers 6-3 and 3-0. After a slow start to the season the Royals won ten of their final 12 season games to finish with a winning record.

In the first game of the day the Royals scored their 6 runs in the second and third innings. The two runs in the bottom of the second inning gave them a lead that they would not relinquish. The Royals had 8 hits, all singles. Kyle Westwater had two hits to lead the attack. Jordan Grant, Jahmal Brooks, Mitchell Mattarollo, Daniel Campos, Jonathan Del Pozo and Jeff Slasor all hit singles.

Mike Vanderlaan was the winning pitcher going 5 2/3 innings allowing 3 runs on 3 hits, 5 Ks, 3 walks and 2 hit batters. Merik Sharp pitched a perfect 1 1/3 with 1 K for the save.

In the final game of the season the Royals played one of their best games of the season and won 3-0. Starting pitcher, Chris Ruediger who was playing his last game as a Royal before heading to the USA on a baseball scholarship was excellent needing only 63 pitches to throw a complete game shut out. He allowed 8 hits over the seven innings with one K and no walks. London batters reached third base only once as the Royals defense turned two double plays.
The Royals hitters were lead by short stop Jordan Grant who had half of the teams six singles to go with his walk, rbi and run scored. Daniel Campos, Mitchell Mattarollo and Justin Zealand all hit singles.
After the games the team held a BBQ to celebrate the winning season and to wish the best of luck to all the graduating players and to award the $1,000 M.E.L. scholarship. This year the award went to first baseman Jahmal Brooks who is heading to NCAA Division 1 Alabama State. Also heading to the USA to play college ball are: Edward Largy, Mitchell Mattarollo, Jordan Grant, Andrew Filler, Philip Hinton, Chris Ruediger and Mirek Sharp . Kyle Westwater will continue his baseball and academic career at Queens University.
The non graduating players now have ten days off before starting to compete for spots on the 2010-2011 team starting on August 4th.