By Lori Brown
LIBERTY — The Dutch’s Bombers and DC Bluedevils played a Liberty Slo-Pitch Softball League “A” Division game Tuesday night at the Liberty Elementary School field.
Entering the contest, Dutch’s Bombers had a perfect 11-0 season record, while the Bluedevils’ record stood at 5-6.
The Bombers improved their spotless record to 12-0 with a 13-5 win over the DC Bluedevils.
The DC Bluedevils took a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Robbie Conner doubled and Merrill Steinhilber sent Conner home with a single.
Dutch’s turned a double play to end the inning.
The Dutch’s offense was on fire in the bottom of the first. The team batted around and scored seven runs. Many of the Bombers scored runs when their teammates slammed solid singles.
Both defenses held the opposition scoreless during the second and third innings. As a result, Dutch’s enjoyed a 7-1 advantage heading into the fourth inning.
The Bluedevils’ cut the Bombers’ lead to 7-2 as Will Budd hit a single to bring home teammate Bob Dupont.
Dutch’s answered in the bottom of the fourth, however.  Adam “Bubba” Birkett earned a RBI when he brought home Adam Lake. Keith Shaddock earned a RBI as well when he brought home Ricky Shaddock.
Going into the fifth inning, Dutch’s held a 9-2 advantage.
In the top of the fifth, the Bluedevils’ Jon Stalter singled to send teammate Mike Walsh home.
The Bluedevils played good defense in the bottom of the fifth to prevent the Bombers from scoring.
After holding the Bluedevils scoreless in the top of the sixth, Dutch’s added four runs to its lead in the bottom of the frame.
Lake slammed a ball into left field. Due to an error and his excellent speed on the basepaths he made it all the way around to score. Birkett slammed a single into deep center field sending Ricky Shaddock into scoring position. Steve Vlaovich came in as a pitch runner for Shaddock.
The next batter, Shane Conner, hit a line drive up the third base line. Vlaovich crossed home plate as Conner ended up with a double. After two outs had been recorded in the inning, Dan Gallo was walked to load the bases.
Moments later, Will Smith stepped into the batter’s box and hit a double to score both Vlaovich and Conner.
At the end of the sixth inning, Dutch’s had a 13-3 lead.
During the seventh inning, the Bluedevils had to score a minimum of 10 runs in the top of the seventh inning in order to stay in the game. Unfortunately for them, they were only able to record two runs in the frame. Steinhilber hit a single scoring Mike Walsh and Cavanagh, who is the Bluedevils’ Manager, slammed a double to bring home Jon Stalter.
In his postgame comments, Bombers’ Manager Keith Shaddock thanked Dutch’s again for sponsoring the team.
“DC Bluedevils played a great game tonight and they are doing better,” Shaddock added.
He and his teammates were very excited as the win was their 35th in a row.