Hawks Defeat Rubicon for 2021 RRL Grand Championship
Posted on Aug 31, 2021

The 2021 RRL grand championship series kicked off in Rubicon Saturday August 28th with the Hawks taking game 1 of the series 13-9. Hartford got on the board early in a big way when catcher Zach Braun stepped to the plate with 1 out and the bases loaded delivering a grand slam to right field off Rubicon starter Garrett Redner. Rubicon answered with 2 runs in the bottom half to make the score 4-2 after a Sid Lehman sac fly and a Nick Vogel RBI single. Hawks got back on the board in the 2nd Joe Seegers scoring on an error followed by a Zach Braun single Johnny Kelliher lined an RBI double scoring Blake Lazaris, Braun was gunned down at the plate to end the inning after an excellent relay by 3B Logan Mantz. Rubicon added another run in the bottom of 2 after a Trent Birkel lead off single Cullen Weiss doubled him home to make it 6-3. After a lead off single by Myles Zimdars Cullen Weiss knocked a 2 run home run to right field chasing Hawks starter Brandon Peace making the score 6-5. Hartford turned to veteran reliever Matt Finley but he was greeted rudely by Logan Mantz who hit a 2-2 fastball over the center field fence to tie the game 6-6. Rubicon took the lead with 2 outs in the 5th on a passed ball followed by a Cullen Weiss RBI single making it 8-6 Red Sox. After an hour rain delay the Hawks began to battle back Zach Braun delivering his 2nd home run of the game this one of the solo variety Johnny Kelliher followed that with a walk chasing starter Garrett Redner who was releived by Logan Mantz. Kelliher would come around to score on a wild pitch to tie the game 8-8 which is what the score remained when he stepped up the plate with 2 men on and 2 outs in the top of the 8th. After working a 3-2 count Kelliher hit a no doubt 3 run home run silencing the Rubicon faithful giving the Hawks an 11-8 lead which proved to be all they needed. Nate Roethle added a 2 run home run in the top of the 9th for good measure. Rubicon pushed a run across in the 9th making the final 13-9. Matt Finley earned the win in relief settling in and going 6 strong innings. Nate Roethle led the way offensively with 4 hits Zach Braun with 2 home runs 5 RBI and Johnny Kelliher 1 home run 4 RBI did damage in big spots for the Hawks. 

After a back and forth wild game on Saturday Hartford looked to close the series out in front of a home crowd on Sunday. Blake Lazaris got the Hawks on the board in the bottom of the 1st hitting a 2 out double driving in Nate Roethle. Rubicon would answer with 1 run in the top of the 2nd. Griff Lukes broke the 1-1 tie in the bottom of the 2nd with an RBI triple Cale Klink followed with a walk and stolen base both scoring on a 2 RBI single by Joe Seegers. 4-1 is what the score remained until the top of 7 when a Myles Zimdars single cut the Hawks lead to 4-2. Hartford answered that with 1 run in the bottom half courtesy of a Blake Lazaris RBI single 5-2 is what the score would remain for the Final 2 innings giving the Hawks their 2nd consecutive RRL title. No stranger to pitching in big games Brody Marks got the start for Hartford throwing a complete game scattering 10 hits striking out 4 with no walks and 1 earned run. Seegers Lazaris and Lukes led the way offensively with 2 hits a piece. The series win gives Hartford their 3rd ever RRL Grand Championship.