It seems that as the temperatures rise, the Senators are following suit as they are getting hotter with each game. With a 7-2 win over the Metro South County Braves, the Senators extended their winning streak to nine and have a record of 9-1.

The Braves are the only team that has been able to overpower the Senators, which occurred on opening day nearly three weeks ago. However, the past two times they have faced each other have been all Senators, with the second game the two teams played ending 8-3, and the latest one ending with a score of 7-2. 

In the top of the third inning, it was the Braves who would break first, scoring two runs from a sacrifice fly and a throwing error by the catcher.

That lead wasn't held onto long by the Braves, nonetheless. The bottom of the fourth came, and the Senators would score four runs in the inning. 

Despite the first two batters getting out, Alex Martin (Gulf Coast CC) worked a walk, bringing MJ Phillips (Towson) to the plate. On the fifth pitch of the at bat, Phillips sent one down the first base line into the corner, reaching third as Martin came around to score. The next batter, Jack Euart (Wofford), then singled, bringing home Phillips and tying the game at two. 

Logan Tribble (Wofford) turned over the lineup after he singled, and then he advanced to second while Euart went to third on an error by the pitcher. Lead-off batter Nick Flores (VCU) came up, and during his six-pitch battle, a passed ball scored Euart and advanced Tribble to third. Flores walked, and Adam Troch (Duke) came up to bat. During the centerfielder’s plate appearance, Flores stole second, and Tribble on third broke for home, inducing a throwing error by the shortstop, which allowed him to score the fourth and final run of the inning.

With the lead in their grasp, the Senators sent Vincent Luther (Binghamton) back out in the fourth to keep it that way. The right-hander got the first out of the inning, but then walked the next batter, which served as his exit from the game. Luther pitched four and one-third innings, allowing two runs on four hits. Nate Berzonski (Mt. St. Mary’s) came into relieve Luther and would be the only reliever Scott Middleton would use.

In the seventh and eighth innings, the Senators would provide more run support for Bersonski. With the bases loaded in the seventh, Chet Bowling (Winthrop) hit a double that scored Flores and Carter Groen (UConn). With one more run coming around in the eighth thanks to a Tribble double, the Senators led by five heading into the ninth inning.

Even though there was some movement in the Senators' bullpen, Bersonski was the only one to finish out the game, doing so quite successfully. He pitched a dominant four and two-thirds innings, only allowing one hit and tallying four strikeouts. The incoming freshman has now pitched the most innings for the Senators, with nine, and has one of the best ERAs on the team so far this season. 

The very next day, June 22nd, the Senators play again at home against the Alexandria Aces as they look to extend their winning streak to double digits.