October 4th Blowout

After three innings at Shaw Park, Will’s baseball team broke out to a big 13 – 1 lead against the Volcanoes. Will beat out an infield single and cranked a line drive two-RBI triple, scoring both times. He pitched one inning, striking out three, stranding the one batter that reached on an error. With the big lead Will left for basketball practice.

I left my scorebook in Principal York's good hands, so this is from memory...

Will ripped a low line drive just to the centerfielder’s left. The ball took two bounces and hit the fence, and Will raced around to third with an RBI triple. With the score 12 – 0 Will had basketball on his mind. Not a good time to steal home, but the lanky left-handed pitcher had his back turned and arm wrapped around behind him, presenting the perfect opportunity to get a great jump.

Josiah struck out for the second out, so when Will Gray worked the count to 2 – 1, Will M waited for the pitcher to receive the ball back from the catcher and turn back to the rubber. Will then broke for the plate, and crossed the plate by the time the pitcher was alerted to the heist. Will G walked, but was forced at second on Patrick’s grounder.

Will played shortstop in the first and caught the second. He made two good throws that almost nailed base-stealers at second, but the Shaw Park base umpire wasn’t calling any close outs.

Will came in to pitch the third and struck out the first two batters on only seven pitches. The next hitter reached on an error, but Will struck out the next batter to end the inning. Since Will was due up 11th in the order, it was time to drive cross town to basketball.

The Saints scored seven in the top of the first…
…after Colin grounded out to second,
…Curtis and John Fulton walked.
…Christian doubled, driving in Curtis.
…on the safety squeeze Russell laid down a bunt that the pitcher fielded, and John Fulton was tagged out at the plate.
…Tanner drove a pitch well over the centerfielder’s head and raced around for a two-RBI triple.
…Jack walked.
…Will hit a high chopper that the shortstop fielded cleanly, but Will beat out the throw to first for an infield hit, and Tanner scored.
…Josiah then pulled a pitch far over the left-fielder’s head, and he raced around for a two-RBI triple.

The Shaw Park pitcher threw 41 pitches in the first, but came back out in the second and struck out the side, needing only eleven pitches.

In the third the Saints added six runs…
...Curtis hit it hard but right at the shortstop.
...John Fulton singled to right-center.
...Christian stroked an extra-base hit.
...Russell poked a single to right.
...Tanner hit one even further to center for an RBI double.
...Jack single up the middle to score another run.
...then Will had his triple and steal of home.