Monday, May 17, 2010

Crazed Coeds Cheer Rays to Victory

Will's East Cobb Rays played an entertaining Saturday triple-header, highlighted by an appearance of four friends at the nightcap. Earlier the grandfathers reminded me I hadn’t sent many game recaps lately, so I had to write. When I thought up the title, I figured I’d post it here as well.

1…ECB Rays

3…Hullu (Huntsville)

...In the top of the first Bradley scored after Will beat out an infield hit. Hullu scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the inning. Both teams threatened, but the rest of the game was scoreless. Michael pitched three scoreless innings, then Will pitched two. Will struck out two.

2…ECB Rays

1…Team Gwinnett

...The Rays scored single runs in the 5th and 7th, then held off Gwinnett for the win. Jake singled home Richie, then Kyle’s single to right plated Parker. Ryan T pitched four shutout innings, then Jake added two more.

...In the first Will blasted a line drive that hit high off the 40 foot centerfield fence. Will played four innings at third, and three innings at short, turning a game-ending double play.

...After the doubleheader at Walton, we had 1:15 to get to Kell for the next game. We grabbed a bite at Willies, then got gas. Only then did we remember the Living Science graduation party, not too far from Kell. We swung by for five minutes.

0…Kennesaw Rocks

6…ECB Rays

...After Will led off the second with a single to left, he was replaced with a pinch-runner, since he was catching. While he was donning his tools of ignorance in the dugout, up walked his friends Charissa, Lisa, Hailey, and Jen. All four had just returned from their freshman year in college. Much to the delight of Will’s teammates (and their parents), the coeds had a wonderful time cheering and embarrassing Will.

...In the inning just after the girls arrived, a Kennesaw batter struck out. Will hopped up, tossed the ball in front of the mound, and trotted toward the dugout. Unfortunately, it was only the second out of the inning.

...All the excitement seemed to rally the tired team, and they reeled off six runs in their next at bat. Richie doubled, Austin reached on an error, and RT was hit, loading the bases. Jake walked, Bradley reached on an error, and Will was hit, forcing home three runs. Parker’s double plated two more, and Kyle’s single drove in the sixth run of the inning.

...The girls kept the evening fun, making observations about player nicknames, and the habit of calling a player by his number. This led to a conversation about numbers they had worn, and what sports they’d played (or might play…it was hard to concentrate on the game!). I offered my own fascinating anecdotes, which I’m sure were appreciated.

...Pitchers Dustin and Ryan G never faced more than four batters in any one inning, allowing only two hits while striking out nine. The game ended just before eleven. Exhausted, Will considered sleeping in his filthy uniform.

5…ECB Rays

7…Bases Loaded Bombers (Birmingham)

...The Rays wilted in the late Sunday morning heat, managing only one run until the last inning. Down 7-1, Richie singled in Michael, then Jake’s bases-loaded double brought the Rays within two.

...Will walked, handled his only chance at third, and caught a fly ball in his only inning playing right field (while the usual right-fielder, Richie, pitched).

...Will also just missed making a great catch, wandering far into foul territory just behind the third-base dugout. Just as the fly fell into his glove, he tripped over all the opposition’s batbags, laying haphazardly in play. He dropped the ball, and received no favorable ruling from the umpires.

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