2023 Royals Win 38+ Championship in Three Games Over Cardinals in Austin Metro Baseball League

Austin Metro Baseball League, 38+ Division 

Austin Royals 8, Austin Cardinals 7 (Game three in best of three series)

Submitted by Joel Cuellar, manager

The Royals opened the scoring in the first after Ernie Alvarado singled, scoring one run.  The Royals then added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Brandon Dutra tripled and Dustin Martin singled, each scoring one run.

The Austin Cardinals captured the lead, 5-3 in the top of the sixth when Robert Calvert singled, scoring two runs, an error allowed another run, and Rob Anthony doubled, scoring one run.  The Royals flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the sixth, scoring five runs on two hit to take an 8-5 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Alvarado on an 0-2 count that drove in two.

The Royals amassed 10 hits in the game. Brandon Foster led the Royals with three hits in three at bats, while Alvarado provided pop in the middle of the lineup, leading the Royals with three RBI’s. The catcher went two for three on the day. Bernie collected two hits with two at bats.

The Austin Cardinals amassed 11 hits in the game. Chris His, Anthony, and Calvert each collected two hits for the Cards. Calvert seized on their opportunities, leading them with three runs batted in from the number seven spot in the lineup. The right-handed hitter went two for four on the day. Hux stole two bases, as the Cardinals ran wild on the base paths, tallying four stolen bases for the game.