Fantastic Finish Against Mercer Island

A fire was finally lit under the overworked and overplayed MBC team last night. Playing their seventh game in seven days, MBC had to travel to Mercer Island to finish a game that was in a week long rain-delay.

The good news was MBC had a 4-2 lead and the bases loaded with only one out, the bad news was - this good fortune did not last long.

MBC was retired via two at bats to start the game and give Mercer Island a lift. That lift carried over to their half of the third as they surprised Stuart Fairchild and the groggy MBC defense with five runs to take a three run lead.

MBC tried valiantly to get some offense going as Stuart settled down and began mowing his way through the Mercer Island line-up. It wasn't until the sixth that MBC got on the board.

Quinn Burcham walked to lead things off and Spencer Hogger followed with a hit. Coach Cougan then nearly exploded in his third base coaching box when Mercer Island picked off Bubba Galush (see 14 year old write ups AND 13 year old write-ups) who had been sent in to pinch run for Quinn. After calm was restored, Ethan Clements singled and Nick Reeves walked to load the bases. A walk to Nick Salle, and a beaning of Mitchell Smith plated two runs but that was all MBC would get in the Bubba Galush shortened inning.

Down one run in the seventh MBC went to work again. David Becker reached first on a poor play by their shortstop, but was forced out at second on Stuart's ground ball to short. The good news was a hustling Stuart did avoid the double play. Stuart then stole second setting up Spencer Hogger for his Mookie Wilson moment. With two out and little hope to spare, Spencer squibbed a ball just out of the reach of the pitcher and a charging third baseman tried to make a bare handed grab and throw to first. His throw went off the first baseman and a hard running Stuart scored all the way from second to tie the game.

Spencer then stole second and all hope turned to Ethan who squared one up and drove it over the left fielder's head for a double to give MBC the lead. He was followed by Nick Reeve's double into the gap in right center for the much needed insurance run.

MBC then held their breath as Stuart went out and retired the Islander's to secure the win.