April 23 Game Recap

Knowing we were playing an undefeated Powder Springs Braves team, then finding out we’d be without Andrew, Clay, Jake, and Michael, I thought we might be in for a long game. As it turned out we played hard, hung tough, and stayed in the game for most of the night. We tied it up in the top of the third by scoring four runs, and after the top of the fifth we were still only down two, but we left five runners on base in the last three innings.

Had we played perfect defensive ball, my trusty scorebook says we would’ve won 5 – 4. There were several throws just inches too high or a second too late. Thomas almost threw out a batter from right field. Corey almost threw out two at first…from centerfield! David’s throw to third was just a little too high to nail a baserunner, and later almost doubled off a runner at second. Catcher Will almost picked a runner off first from his knees, then later almost made a nice running catch into the outfield. Russell had a runner picked off at second, but threw just high. All were great, aggressive attempts…we’re playing some exciting baseball.

The play of the year ended the fifth inning. The batter lined a one-hopper to centerfield. Corey charged the hit and fired a strike to Christian at first, barely missing the out. With the runner heading home from third, Christian fired home. Will caught it, took several steps up the line, and threw to third-baseman David. David caught it, chased the runner a few steps, and threw back to Will. Will ran the runner back towards third and threw to shortstop Curtis at the bag. The runner took off past Will toward home, so Curtis fired a strike to Christian, who survived a push from the runner as he tagged him out.

There were other fine defensive plays as well…
…Christian had an assist at second and later wizzed in a quick throw from the outfield. He also made a nice running catch in center, threw out a runner at second while playing third, and had two putouts at first.
…Corey and Curtis played first for the first time and made all the plays. Curtis also made a fine running catch in center while avoiding Will…call it louder next time, boys! …Russell had four putouts at first (three in one inning), including one ball hit to his right that he beat the batter in a race to the bag. Russell took his time on a grounder at second, but still got the out at first. In left he ran down a hit headed for the gap, making a nice sliding catch to hold the batter to a single.
…Josiah had an assist and caught a pop while pitching.
…In addition to his alert play in right field, Thomas made a perfect scoop of a grounder at second, throwing out the batter at first.
…later John Fulton had a similar play at second.
…Nick had a great play at third, going to his knees to field a ball smashed to his left. He got up and fired a strike to first to prevent a run from scoring and ending the inning. Nick almost smiled coming off the field.
…Will had some nice blocks behind the plate.

Josiah pitched so well I left him in for a fourth inning. He only walked one of the 25 batters he faced, and the two runs that scored in the second were unearned. My count showed that 43 of his 64 pitches were strikes. Most of the hits he allowed were bloopers, and he only gave up two solid hits. A great job against a tough team. While batting Josiah walked twice.

Russell also threw more strikes than balls, and walked only one of the ten he faced. Half the runs he allowed were unearned. At the plate Russell hit the ball hard twice, but right at fielders. To their credit the Braves made most of the plays in the field.

The rest of the team also contributed offensively…
…Christian led off the second with a single to right, hit so hard he had to hustle to first so they wouldn’t throw him out. He took second on a wild pitch, third on a fielder’s choice, and scored on Corey’s hit.
…Corey went two for two with a walk, scoring twice and driving in two.
…Curtis sliced a line drive into the right field corner for a two-out RBI double to give us the lead in the first. Later he slammed another line drive, just right at the first baseman.
…David tried to bunt for a hit, and advanced the runner to third.
…Joey reached base both times again. He beat a throw to third base, but when the third-baseman tagged his ankle while his foot was on the bag, the umpire incorrectly called him out. To his credit Joey didn’t argue the call, but the expression on his face said it all.
…John Fulton’s nice hit to right was caught in the second. In the fourth JF successfully executed third-base coach Sharp’s bunt signal, reaching first safely and advancing Josiah around to third.
…Nick didn’t reach base, but you can tell experience is helping him to be more comfortable to the plate…even when working a tough pitcher to a full count. Nick was robbed of a hit when his low line drive was caught by a diving shortstop.
…Thomas scored from second base on Corey’s single, after walking in the second. Like Nick, you can see Thomas improving every game he plays.
…Will walked in the third, took second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on David’s grounder, then scored on a wild pitch with two out…just before Curtis lined out.

Coaches Posial and Sharp did their usual good job coaching the bases and keeping me calm. I’ll repeat my line from last night: I had to holler enough for both me and Coach McElwain. Hope I didn’t let anyone down!