Matthew's 3/11 Game

Saturday morning I got Will to the field bright and early for his nine o’clock game, but the other team didn’t show, thanks to a scheduling conflict. They were able to get in a good practice, but my dad had driven up from Macon. Ceil arrived with Matthew before the practice ended. Matthew was decked out in his uniform, complete with his Lion King sunglasses. I was able to talk Matthew out of wearing them during his game. Matthew had several nice hits in the batting cage before the game. The Rock Hounds were playing the Green Jackets, a team coached by the gung-ho coach who last year had his entire tee-ball team wear eye black…and he wore it as well. But the Green Jackets only scored one in the top of the first, as the Rock Hounds made two putouts in the field. Matthew played left field, but didn’t get a ball hit to him. The Hounds loaded the bases in the bottom of the first but failed to score, as 3 batters struck out. Batting third in the order, Matthew was one of the strikeouts, though he fouled off two of the pitches. Sitting in the bleachers behind first base, my fears increased as the Jackets scored 5 in the top of the second and 2 more in the top of the 3rd, while the Hounds only scored one in the bottom of the second. The tide was beginning to turn, however. In the top of the third Matthew’s Hounds got two Jackets out at the plate, one on a relay from the outfield, another on a throw from the second-baseman. In left field Matthew fielded a grounder and quickly fired home, hitting the cutoff man in the infield grass. Matthew led off the bottom of the third and finally connected, but his ground ball went right to the first baseman, who stepped on the bag for the first out. The Hounds did score 4 in the inning, making the score to 8-5 Jackets. Then 3 of the 4 Jackets batters struck out, including the number 2 and 3 hitters in the order. Matthew played right field, but had no balls hit to him. In the bottom of the fourth the first two hitters doubled. With one run in and a runner on second, Matthew grounded one toward the first baseman, just in front of where we were seated. The play seems to unfold in slow motion. The first baseman got in position to field the ball, but couldn’t catch the bouncer. Matthew hustled to first, with that unique look of effort on his face. Matthew reached second base on a grounder to the shortstop, and scored from second, the tying run of the game. The Hounds scored five runs in that inning, going ahead 10-8. The Jackets scored 5 in the top of the 5th inning. Matthew played third base and cleanly fielded a ground ball. He didn’t have a play, so he wisely held on to the ball, to keep the runners from advancing. Down three runs in their last at bat, the first two Hounds singled before a strikeout. Stephen’s single knocked in one run and placed the runners on the corners. Nathan singled home another run, bringing Matthew to the plate with the tying run on second. Matthew again hit a couple of ground balls, both times pulled the ball, popping one over the third base dugout, but he missed the next pitch and struck out for the second out. The tension grew as Dillon singled to load the bases, then Christian hit the ball into the outfield, and Stephen and Nathan scored to win the game. 1ST INNING - TOP Dollinger struck out Mannelly…home run to right. # 7 infield hit to 2nd. # 1…a little guy…lined out to Lucas at pitcher. Runner advances to 3rd when ball got away. Next batter grounded out to first…Scott? 1ST INNING - BOTTOM Stephen…infield hit to 3rd Nathan…struck out Matthew…struck out, though he fouled off 2. Dillon…infield hit to 3rd…Stephen to 2nd Christian…infield hit to pitcher loads bases. Adam…struck out 2ND INNING – TOP # 9 base hit, scored # 8 hit to center, scored Rosseland…hit ball, scored # 10 hit to left, scored # 4 Ava’s big brother…struck out Dollinger…double to right Mannelly…single to right, scores Dollinger. 2ND INNING – BOTTOM Scott…home run to right center Lucas…single to right Matt Smith…infield single to short, Lucas to 2nd. James Ellis…struck out Stephen…grounder to 3rd, Lucas out at 3rd. Nathan…grounder to 3rd, Matt out at 3rd. 3RD INNING – TOP # 7…single to left # 1…base hit, runner to 2nd next batter…single to left scored # 7, but Adam’s relay to Scott at plate to tag out # 1. # 9 hit knocks in runner. # 8 grounder to second. Lucas throws home. Scott tags out # 9, who overran 3rd. Rosseland…base hit # 10…strikes out to end inning. 3RD INNING – BOTTOM Matthew’s grounds out to 1st. Dillon…single to center Christian…single to third, Dillon to 2nd. Adam…struck out. Scott…single to short, loads bases. Lucas…doubles to knock in 2 runs. Matt Smith…single knocks in 2 runs. James strikes out. 4TH INNING – TOP # 4 strikes out # 11 Dollinger…single to right. # 13 Mannelly…strikes out. # 7 strikes out. 4TH INNING – BOTTOM Stephen…double Nathan…double scores Stephen. Matthew infield single. Nathan scores. Dillon struck out. Christian…infield hit to short, Matthew to 2nd. Adam…single scores Matthew & Christian. Hounds take lead. Adam reaches 3rd. Scott…single to short scores Adam, ends inning. 5TH INNING – TOP # 1 strikes out. Next hitter singles, reaches 2nd when the ball gets past Christian at 1st. # 9 doubles, runner scores from 2nd. # 8 singles, runner scores from 2nd. # 6 Rosseland singles, runner to 2nd. # 10 triples, both runners score. # 4 strikes out. Dollinger singles to score 5th run of inning. 5TH INNING – BOTTOM Lucas…single Matt Smith…single, Lucas to 2nd. James strikes out. Stephen singles to 3rd, Lucas scores. Runners on the corners. Nathan singles home another run. Matthew struck out for 2nd out. Dillon singles to load the bases. Christian hits ball into the outfield. Stephen and Nathan score to win game. Afterwards Matthew was happy to get his snack and stars for his hitting and fielding. He ate two hot dogs at the Varsity, but didn’t hardly touched his frosted orange. Sunday afternoon the Rock Hounds had an informal practice. It was a good chance for Matthew to get in some extra practice, with three of his favorite teammates. He got to hit baseballs pitched from the rubber by his regular pitcher. I also pitcher him some whiffle balls that he hit pretty good, and on his own he hit some off the tee. He’s starting to find his stroke, as I thought he would with more practice and warmer weather (it was in the upper 70s both days!). Matthew also fielded some grounders, so he had a good practice. No games this week, but both Will and Matthew play next Saturday.