Next to Last Game

I compared Will’s game Monday night to the GT/FSU game…high scoring. Main pitcher Tanner broke his thumb Saturday, so with 4 games in 8 days, little 9th grader Michael got the start, and was rocked by the Shaw Park Rec Team. Crown led 6-5 going into the top of the 3rd, then Will cleared the loaded bases with a double down the LF line. He scored on a WP…on the slide he switched legs in midair, to avoid the tag.

Will pitched a shaky, scoreless inning, throwing 10 balls and 3 strikes. He hit the first batter, but was helped by 1B Charlie V’s unassisted double play. After catching a bloop and tagging the runner for two outs, he threw to second, just missing tripling off that runner. Will’s former teammate Andrew “Howie” Howard’s dad Ernie was the veteran base umpire who made the correct call.

Will reached base all three innings. He also drove in a run in the second, with a bases-loaded infield hit. Playing shortstop, he threw out three batters at first.

Classmates Alyssa, Elizabeth, Lucy, and Jordan were at the game, still buzzing about the retreat. I chatted with Lucy’s dad Lee, who grew up in College Park. Soon Alyssa had enough of the girl talk and moved down to talk us. A college tennis prospect (who once hit with Melanie Oudin’s sister), Alyssa and I talked about how Will’s performance was suffering from his trying too hard, resulting in his tightness.

For Halloween, it looks like Matthew is going to be an Indian, and Anna a can-can girl. Don’t know where they’ll trick or treat. There was leftover retreat candy I get to hand out.

Been posting recaps and photos of the retreat on Facebook. Will saw some great photos of the drive looking at wildlife, but I can’t find that album. One family seems to be popping up regularly in the recaps.

Someone is trying to sell the first 5 issues of Sports Illustrated to Lang’s dad, for $100.00 each.