By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP
Advance Managing Editor
The Utility Department Blue Flames scored two runs in the fifth inning to help them take a 12-11 victory over the MLK Pirates during the opening day of Martin Luther King League baseball on Saturday.
Leading the offense for the Flames was Latashia Taylor with three runs. Jermaine Oliver scored two runs. Tevin Curry, Precious Jemison, Tucurio Brown, Bryant Chambers, Tae Woods and Brandon Jones also scored.
Leading scorers for the Pirates were Rakeem Bowens, Tekita Hartley, Eric Coley and Sharda English with two runs each. Graneshia Savage and Erin Taylor also scored.
Jones started the game for the Flames and Johnson earned the win after pitching three innings in relief.
Coley pitched four innings for the Pirates and was relieved by Bowens for the final inning.
Cardinals 7, Braves 5
The Sandy Sansing Cardinals scored seven runs in the first two innings which proved to be enough for a victory over the United Bank Braves, 7-5.
Leading the Cards' offense were Jeremy Boggan and Josh McCants with two runs each. Savauhia Knight, Andrew Crenshaw and Naldo Walker also scored.
Latrenton Bowens led the Braves' offense with two runs. Courtney Barnes, Kyler Carter and Kelsey Bownens also scored.
Boggan earned the victory on the mound for the Cardinals as he pitched a complete game.
Kent McNeal and Carter each pitched two innings for the Braves.