Will caught the 6 pm game, making several defensive plays to keep the game in hand for the Wildcats. In the top of the first with one out and one run in, two more runners were on second and third. Will caught a pitch and fired to second. The runner knew he was dead, so he headed toward third, starting a rundown. A ndrew ran at the runner until the runner at third headed home. In the ensuing rundowns the Wildcats were able to tag out both runners, ending the rally.
Then in the second inning the Cougars had runners on first and third with no out. The runner at first took off for second, hoping to draw a throw so the runner on third could score. When Will threw the runner on third did break for home, but Will’s throw was to shortstop A ndrew, charging in front of the bag. A ndrew’s return throw home to Will was in plenty of time to nail the runner at the plate.
With two out Will made an even more amazing play. The batter chopped a ball straight down, just in front of the plate. Will popped up and reached his mitt out into fair territory and caught the ball, and tagged out the runner before he left the batters box. Will then tossed the ball to the mound and jogged off to the dugout, with the batter still standing there.
In the bottom half of the inning Will’s one out single to center started a three run rally. Will beat out a dribbler toward third for an infield single. In the fourth Will hit a one-hop line drive that deflected far off the shortstop’s shin, knocking him out of the game. Later Will said that had the single been an inch to either side, the ball would’ve rolled to the fence for extra bases. Will finished 3 – 3 for the evening.
Down 6 – 2 in the last inning, the Cougars staged one last rally. Will helped end things, tagging out a runner after another short rundown. A ndrew picked a runner off first and struck out the last runner, and the Wildcats escaped with a 6 – 5 win.
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