Ukiah, Ca:  The league's top two teams matched up on Tuesday night in Ukiah and The Cardinal Newman Cardinals won in a nail bitter 3-2.  This was a classic pitchers duel from the start as Newman's Mason Lerma and Ukiah's Luke Schat both pitched well.

Ukiah scored first on a hit, a bunt and a RBI single, but from there Lerma put 5 zeros on the board.  Newman countered with a run in the 3rd.  Landon Rota doubled with one out and then Nathan Phelps singled to drive him in and tie the game.  The score remained 1-1 until the 6th.

Then Ukiah went to the bullpen and Newman took advantage of a two out walk to Jack Lazark.  With Blake Bryson at the plate, Lazark stole second and then advanced to third on a passed ball.  Bryson would then single to make it 2-1.  Lerma would then Strikeout the side in the bottom half of the inning, his last of the night finishing with ten Ks.

Newman would add an important insurance run in the 7th.  After a failed attempt to steal home on a first and third situation, Newman would load the bases with a walk and a hit batter.  Brady Boyd would then be hit by the pitch to bring in Nathan Phelps.

Tanner Bradley would the take the mound needing 3 outs for the save.  Ukiah would not make it easy.  A walk, an error and a base hit loaded the bases with one out.  A fielder's choice made ot 3-2, as Newman tried to turn a game ending double play but settled for one out at second.  Then a hit batter re-loaded the bases.  Next, Bradley would induce a ground out to get out of the jam and keep the Cardinals alone on top of the NBL standings at 5-0.

The teams are scheduled to meet again Friday at CN's Clyde Smith Field.

BOX SCORE