7/13 - 7/19 ONSL GAME OF THE WEEK

As the season winds down, divisional games are more important than ever, showcased this week as the Central division was on full display during a match-up between the first-place Clayton Clovers and third-place Reidsville Luckies. In their fifth meeting this season, the division rivals gave fans a game to celebrate as big innings defined the showdown; big performances at the plate for each team would determine the outcome of this one, and ultimately, the Clovers would prove to be too much for Reidsville in the end. However, each team had their fair share of offensive success, leading to a bigger division lead for Clayton and hope for the Luckies as the week went on. 

The Clovers opened the scoring in the third inning of Tuesday’s contest after walks to Alex Levesque, Thomas Watson, and Evan Slawinski loaded the bases for Lane Mclean, whose fielder’s choice followed by an error gave Clayton an early lead. The Clovers would continue to bring runs home via an RBI single from Caiden Chilausky and sacrifice fly from Garrett Moffett; the last run of the inning for the Clovers was gifted to them through defensive miscues from Reidsville, setting them up nicely with a four-run lead before they even took the field. 

They’d continue to score without an answer from the Luckies in the fifth inning, extending their lead on an infield single by Mclean, a walk to Chilausky, and a HBP to Zach Chavis, setting the scene for Jackson Crute, whose walk would bring home the lone run of the inning for Clayton. 

However, Reidsville’s production in the sixth inning proved that they wouldn’t be going down without a fight, as a single by Nigel Robinson followed by walks issued to Maddox King and Landon Parker loaded the bases for Jacob Trivette, whose HBP got the Luckies on the board. Myles Odom would provide another run for his team with an RBI single, followed by a Brian O’Connell groundout to give the Luckies their third run of the inning. The squad would tack on another run before the end of the inning, as a defensive error allowed for Calvin Kessler to reach base safely and bring another run across for Reidsville, who would end the inning only down a single run after being down 5-0 at the start of the inning. 

Clayton was quick to answer the offensive surge from the Luckies, extending their lead in the seventh. Moffett and Chavis would reach base again after a walk and a base hit, respectively, setting the stage for Levesque, who would capitalize on the RBI opportunity by hitting a three-run home run to put the Clovers up by four. They would continue to extend their lead in the eighth inning as well, as Moffett found himself on for the second time with a single to start the inning. Three consecutive walks to Jackson Crute, Connor Witherington, and Levesque would put the Clovers up by five heading into the last chance for Reidsville, putting them in a good position to win the game. 

Reidsville tried to start a comeback in the ninth inning, highlighted by a solo shot courtesy of King, but would fall short to their divisional opponent by a score of 9-5. The two squads are set to meet again on Tuesday, July 23rd, and as the season comes to a close, this game could mean big things for the Luckies as they try to make the postseason.