The Aces dominated in their opening game, winning 10-1 at home. Photo by Taylor Bretl.

By Taylor Bretl

The Alexandria Aces took down the DC Grays in their first game of the 2024 CRSCBL season, winning 10-1.

After a 30-6 record last season – earning the regular season title and a championship appearance – the Aces picked right back up from where they left off in rather quick fashion. Starting the night on the bump for Alexandria was left-hander Dylan Young (Johnson & Wales). Young tossed six scoreless innings, allowing only one hit, as well as striking out four.

During Young’s adept six innings, base knocks from Jonathan Peltier (Wright State) and Tim Nicholson (George Washington) in the second inning gave him some early run support to work with. Both at bats would spark strong nights for the two right-handed sluggers: Nicholson went 3-for-3 with three RBI and a walk, while Peltier went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI.

Despite giving up those three runs in the second, Grays pitcher Corey Savedoff (Lafayette) gave the Aces some struggles during his five-inning outing. The right-hander finished his night with five innings pitched, four hits, three earned runs, two walks, and four strikeouts.

Once Savedoff’s evening came to a close, the Aces jumped on the Grays’ bullpens. A mix of base knocks, extra base hits, stolen bases, and walks from nearly every batter in the lineup contributed to a four run inning, extending their lead to 7-0.

Heading into the seventh inning, the Aces made a pitching change of their own, but it didn’t turn out to help the Grays like they hoped it would. Reliever John Downing (Seton Hall) came out of the bullpen in all gas, no brakes fashion. While the left-hander would end up giving up a run in the ninth, his final line was rather dominant: 2.1IP, 1H, 1ER, 2BB, 6K. Six of his seven outs came via a strikeout.

For the final two outs of the game, Brendan Harrity (Western Michigan) would put the nail in the coffin, giving the Aces their first win of the season.

Both teams will play their second game of the season Monday. The Grays will host the Metro SoCo Braves at Prince George’s Community College at 5 p.m. The Aces will hit the road and travel to Waldorf, Maryland, to take on the Southern Maryland Senators at Regency Furniture Stadium at 7 p.m..