Longhorns Game One

Will's Pony League Longhorns lost their first game Saturday, 10 - 5. He was the only player to get two hits, and he also scored two runs.

In both his at bats he led off the inning with a base hit and stole second base. Then both times David Bartlett, the next hitter, hit a grounder...first to the shortstop, then to the pitcher. Both times Will took off for third. The first time he went hard all the way, sliding in head first barely ahead of the tag. The second time he got in a rundown, and was safe at second when the ball was dropped. Both times Bartlett took second on a steal, and both times Christian Amland, the next hitter, drove Will home. Bartlett scored both times as well.

Will played shortstop and caught. He threw one runner out at first on a grounder to him at short. One other slow roller was hit to Will at short. He charged the ball, scooped it up, and quickly threw sidearm to first, but was unable to get the batter.

In the last inning the Longhorns loaded the bases but only scored one run. Will was on deck when the third out was made.

Monday night the Longhorns play in Powder Springs, and Will is probably pitching.

HITTING
John Fulton…struck out to lead off the game, and walked twice. He was not timid, but swang at several balls out of the strike zone, particularly high pitches. Advanced to third on a passed ball. A good choice for leadoff hitter. Paul…struck out looking, singled to right field, and reached on an error to short, driving in the runner from third. Advanced to second on a passed ball. Bradford…struck out all three times…the first time looking. Will…reached first on both at bats…once on a sharp grounder to third, then on a hit into left. Two stolen bases and scored two runs. Twice with no outs got caught off second on ground balls…being aggressive is nice, but Will can’t afford to get thrown out in those situations. David…reached twice on fielder’s choices…once each to the shortstop and pitcher. Twice stole second with a runner on third. Scored from second on Christian’s single to right, and scored from third on a grounder to first. Christian…Nice single to right to drive in 2 runners. Also hit a two-strike grounder (to the second baseman?) to drive in another runner. Was thrown out stealing second, but later stole second with a runner on third. Russell…grounded out short to first. Hit a line drive to right field…caught by the right fielder, who was playing in closer than usual. Jonathan…hit by a pitch, but later hit a sharp grounder down the first base line…that would’ve usually been a hit, but the first baseman was playing close to the bag. Michael…walked and struck out swinging. Josiah…grounded out to the second-baseman, and struck out looking. Joey…twice struck out swinging. He did have some nice hits before the game with the whiffle balls. Curtis…struck out looking, then walked on a full count. Reached second on an error, took third on a wild pitch, and scored on an infield grounder.

FIELDING
Better defense could’ve prevented 2 runs at least, perhaps more. We need to work on taking throws at 2B & 3B on steal attempts…positioning.
John Fulton…2 assists at 2B. Bradford… 3 putouts at 1B. Curtis…assist at pitcher (on a bunt), putout at pitcher..caught a popup…at pitcher, threw ball away on a pickoff to 3rd…also threw one past 1B. Paul…caught a pop at 2B. David…at catcher, threw out batter at 1B on dropped 3rd strike…pitching, picked runner off 2B & chased him down, to tag him out without a throw…pitching, threw out batter on a grounder. Will…assist at SS, throwing out a batter at 1B on a grounder…had another tough play / slow roller that he charged & quickly threw to 1B, but couldn’t get the batter…at SS let throw to 2B on a steal get through to CF. Christian…playing SS covered 2B on a steal, let ball get by into CF…in CF, ran down a long hit & got ball in quickly to hold batter to a double. Jonathan…putout at 1B. Josiah…putout at 1B. Joey…did ok in OF, had the pop fall in front of him that he could’ve gone for.

PITCHING Curtis David
Innings 3 2
Batters Faced 17 12
Walks 1 1
Strikeouts 5 2
Balls 19 16
Strikes 41 31
% Strikes 68% 66%
Runs Allowed 6 4
Earned Runs 6 4
WP/PB 2 0
Stolen bases 5 3

CATCHING David Will Russell
WP/PB 1 1 0
Stolen bases 3 2 3
Innings caught 2 2 1