Braves pitcher spins neat 3-hitter

Another Cruz De Jong home run! (Crystal Ferry photo).

Montezuma got a nifty complete game, three-hit pitching performance from Luke Erselius and enough hitting to score an 8-4 baseball win over HLV on Tuesday, June 18, at home.

The Braves scored three runs in the first inning and three more in the third to go up 6-0.

The Warriors ralled with four in their half of the fifth to cut the margin to 6-4.

Luke Erselius shows the form that propelled him to a three-hitter against HLV/Tri-County. (Crystal Ferry photos).

But the Braves answered with two in their half of the fifth, then Erselius shut down HLV the rest of the way.

Erselius’ seven-inning totals were 3 hits allowed, along with 4 runs, all earned. He walked 5 and struck out 8.

Cruz De Jong, Broox Stockman and Dane Strong each had two hits.

De Jong hit a home run and drove in two runs, while Stockman and Strong each had one RBI.

Luke Erselius, Rett Pargeon and Jack Erselius each had one hit.

The Braves were eight-for-eight on steals. Broox Stockman stole two bases and six others had one each.

The Braves were guilty of just one error.

Montezuma went to 4-8 with the win.

HLV fell to 1-11.