Royals return from tough Minnesota road trip

The Royals hit the road to Minnesota for 4 games against district opponent DCTC. Historically, DCTC has been a tough opponent but the Royals were optomistic that they had the necessary parts to get the win. However that wasn't the case as DCTC came away victorious in all 4 games. Head Coach Kyal Williams said, "It is always a tough road trip when you do not come out with a win. We played well again in every game, just one inning gave DCTC such a momentum boost to get a big lead or just let them back into the game."

Game 1 had the Royals excited to be outside in good weather playing baseball. The team started well with scoring 4 runs in the first two innings, but couldn't control the strike zone and brought DCTC into the game. With numerous runners on base and timely hitting DCTC took over the scoreboard. They began to run away with the game and pilled on a 10 run mercy rule. Landyn Swenson, Jared Gesell and Jon Lund each collected multiple hits. The Royals lost 14-4. 

Game 2, the Royals were looking to bounce back from a loss that started so well. The Royals came back fighting scoring a run in each of the first three innings. Jared Gesell was pounding the strike zone and kept the DCTC hitters off balance. With just one innings, DCTC got back into striking distance. The Royals kept the lead until the bottom of the sixth when back to back doubles tied the game up. Tyler Renken found his groove on the mound and kept us in for three strong innings. However it wasnt meant to be as the Royals just could not get one run to get the win. A great team fought effort at the plate and in the field to make sure we were always in the game. The Royals lost 4-3 Bottom 8.

Game 3 had a strong showing from Cesar Bernal who took the mound and threw 6 strong innings, for his best outing for the Spring. Throwing strike, and keeping DCTC guessing at the plate, Bernal was able to keep the Royals in the game. Unfortunately the Royals bats were not alive in the first four innings and could not put scoreboard pressure on DCTC to take the game. DCTC just kept getting timely hits to slowly tick over the scoreboard and make it out of reach for the Royals to come back. The Royals fall 7-2.

Game 4 was a game that was exciting from the first pitch till its last. Both teams' bats were hot and scoring 13 and 17 runs. Starting from behind the Royals fought back to take the lead with scoring runs in all but one inning. Without dropping their heads when they gave up the lead, the Royals kept fighting and fought all the way till the last out. Brett Boudreau, Cesar Bernal, Jon Lund and Landyn Swenson all recording multiple hit game. Ryan Alain and Bridger Urban fought hard to give the Royals a chance they just ended up just short with a final of 17-13.

Overall Head Coach Kyal Williams was pleased with his team saying, "We always have two of the three aspects going for us; we hit and play defense, hit and pitch, or pitch and play great defense. Just missing a combination of all three. When we do that we are going to be a team no one wants to play during conference and tournament time. We have a ton of talent and just need them to believe in themselves and we will be right in the mix at the end of the year."