MBC lost a tight one 4-3 to end the tournament. MBC did qualify for the consolation game, but chose to drive home at a reasonable hour vs playing for 3rd and 4th and leaving Sumas at 11:30 PM.
Things started well for MBC. After giving the Bandits a run in the first, MBC came back in the second to tie the score. Quinn Burcham led off with a single and was followed by a single from Ethan Clements. Quinn scored on Russell Madche's double but that was all the runs MBC was able to score.
In the third, Adam Hinthorne led off with a single and the Bandit's walked Tino Peleti. Perhaps the two towering foul home run shots got to the pitcher, we can never know for sure. Quin singled to drive in Adam and was followed by a single by Ethan that scored Tino but a strong throw nipped Quinn (again) at the plate.
Nick Reeves led off the fourth with a walk and after Cole Burcham doubled MBC had men on second and thrid with one out. Alex Mitchell drove Nick home with a nice sac fly, but Cole, wanting to emulate his big brother, decided to try for third and a nice cut-off throw nailed him.
Ethan Clements pitched a fine game and brought MBC into the seventh nursing a one run lead. A lead off bunt (scary word) single put the tying run on board and when the second hitter squared to bunt, - well I just knew we were going to lose.
Coach Cougan was pretty sure that the flyer for this tournament said NO BUNTING ALLOWED, because you know as well as I do that we should never be in a game that allows bunting; but the tournament director just seemed to look the other way whenever teams bunted against us. And this sort of thing happened against us again and again.
I promise next year to ONLY enter tournaments that will enforce the no bunting rules and I am sure we will fare much better.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Big Fifth Inning Blows Pitcher's Duel Wide Open
MBC had to face the Dow team in game three and the game started out as a pure pitching duel between Stuart Fairchild of MBC and Dow' strong left-hander. Stuart was perfect through three innings and the Dow Lefty matched him pitch for pitch with the exception of Spencer Hogger's first inning single.
In the top of the fourth Tino took a 2-2 fastball deep to right center to give MBC a one run lead. Tino hit the ball so far that it went into the neighboring trailer part and an aid car was called to check on the ball.
A lead off single in Dow's part of the fourth came around to score and after two walks and a hit Stuart had to strike his way out of a bases loaded jam.
Tied in the fifth Ethan Clements blasted a home run to left and MBC was back on top. The two long balls seemed to shatter the lefty's confidence and consecutive hits by Adam Hinthorne, Alex Mitchell, Mitchell Smith and Spencer Hogger brought in one run and left the bases loaded for Tino. Tino proceeded to clear the bases with a huge double to blow the game wide open. Quinn Burcham bounced a ball over the fence for a double to score Tino, but the lefty settled down and escaped further damage.
In the sixth, as the sky grew darker and rumbling of thunder were heard in the distance, Nick Reeves led off with a double and the hit fest was on again. Hits by Adam, Russell Madche and a walk to Mitchell Smith loaded the bases and the rattled Dow pitcher plunked Spenser to force in a run and bring up the hot hitting Tino. Tino broke out the rye bread and hit a grand salami over the center field fence to make it a 13-1 game.
The sky then opened up and rain poured for the rest of the night.
In the top of the fourth Tino took a 2-2 fastball deep to right center to give MBC a one run lead. Tino hit the ball so far that it went into the neighboring trailer part and an aid car was called to check on the ball.
A lead off single in Dow's part of the fourth came around to score and after two walks and a hit Stuart had to strike his way out of a bases loaded jam.
Tied in the fifth Ethan Clements blasted a home run to left and MBC was back on top. The two long balls seemed to shatter the lefty's confidence and consecutive hits by Adam Hinthorne, Alex Mitchell, Mitchell Smith and Spencer Hogger brought in one run and left the bases loaded for Tino. Tino proceeded to clear the bases with a huge double to blow the game wide open. Quinn Burcham bounced a ball over the fence for a double to score Tino, but the lefty settled down and escaped further damage.
In the sixth, as the sky grew darker and rumbling of thunder were heard in the distance, Nick Reeves led off with a double and the hit fest was on again. Hits by Adam, Russell Madche and a walk to Mitchell Smith loaded the bases and the rattled Dow pitcher plunked Spenser to force in a run and bring up the hot hitting Tino. Tino broke out the rye bread and hit a grand salami over the center field fence to make it a 13-1 game.
The sky then opened up and rain poured for the rest of the night.
MBC Bunts Game Away Early and Often
Wooden stakes scare werewolves, garlic will scare vampires, bunts terrorize the MBC 15's. I get shivers just thinking about other teams squaring away - bad things happen.
MBC kicked away a game to the Wave being boat raced by at least six bunt attempts that accounted for almost 100 runs in game two of the tourney. Balls and bodies were in motion but not in connection as MBC resemble a T-ball team in their frantic efforts to get outs when the other team tried to give us outs. It was not a pretty sight.
Offensively we tried in vain scoring 98 runs, just enough to lose by 2. Tino Peleti and Mitchell Smith each had three hits with Ethan Clements and Nick Reeves collecting two.
Both pitchers used during this game have currently entered the witness protection program and their whereabouts are unknown at this time.
MBC kicked away a game to the Wave being boat raced by at least six bunt attempts that accounted for almost 100 runs in game two of the tourney. Balls and bodies were in motion but not in connection as MBC resemble a T-ball team in their frantic efforts to get outs when the other team tried to give us outs. It was not a pretty sight.
Offensively we tried in vain scoring 98 runs, just enough to lose by 2. Tino Peleti and Mitchell Smith each had three hits with Ethan Clements and Nick Reeves collecting two.
Both pitchers used during this game have currently entered the witness protection program and their whereabouts are unknown at this time.
Burcham Blasts Bombers in 13-7 Win
Game one of the Spooner Creek tournament was a pure power show by Quinn Burcham who blasted two mighty home runs for a five RBI night. Offensively it was a great night for our hitters with every starter getting one hit. Spencer Hogger, Tino Peleti, Ethan Clements, Russell Madche and Alex Mitchell all had two hits. MBC scored in every inning but the second.
Coach Cougan deployed Everyday Russell in a different fashion in this end of year tournament using him as a starter. Off of his short leash Russell went the distance four and allowing just four earned runs. Russell cruised all night and was never in much trouble pitching well with the big bats behind him.
Coach Cougan deployed Everyday Russell in a different fashion in this end of year tournament using him as a starter. Off of his short leash Russell went the distance four and allowing just four earned runs. Russell cruised all night and was never in much trouble pitching well with the big bats behind him.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Tough Loss Limits MBC to Fourth Place Finish
MBC ran out of steam and could just not get the offense going in a loss to Seattle Select Black. Nick Salle pitched well for five innings but not get the typical MBC nine runs of support. Quinn Burcham pitched a quality sixth inning, but by then MBC was out of gas and out of the state tourney.
The Seattle Select pitcher held MBC to just three hits. He was our worst nightmare, a pitcher who changed speeds and threw curve balls when we were looking for fastballs and fastballs when we were looking for curve balls. Their defense turned two double plays on us and only committed one error.
This tourney seemed to be a payback version of the season that worked well for MBC. Teams were beating teams that they lost to during the season. Just our luck to have beaten Seattle Select soundly during the season.
Spencer Hogger, Stuart Fairchild and Ethan Clements were selected to the all tourney team. Spencer hit .500, with a home run and double and played outstanding at shortstop. His tournament run even included a trip to the ER and eight stitches to his mouth. Ethan and Stuart both pitched MBC to victory in their respective turns on the mound neither pitcher yielding an earned run.
Other players of note; Tino Peleti .286 with a home run and 5 RBI, Nick Reeves and David Becker with .364 batting averages and Quinn Burcham who hit a scalding .333 with laser beam hits which included a double.
The Seattle Select pitcher held MBC to just three hits. He was our worst nightmare, a pitcher who changed speeds and threw curve balls when we were looking for fastballs and fastballs when we were looking for curve balls. Their defense turned two double plays on us and only committed one error.
This tourney seemed to be a payback version of the season that worked well for MBC. Teams were beating teams that they lost to during the season. Just our luck to have beaten Seattle Select soundly during the season.
Spencer Hogger, Stuart Fairchild and Ethan Clements were selected to the all tourney team. Spencer hit .500, with a home run and double and played outstanding at shortstop. His tournament run even included a trip to the ER and eight stitches to his mouth. Ethan and Stuart both pitched MBC to victory in their respective turns on the mound neither pitcher yielding an earned run.
Other players of note; Tino Peleti .286 with a home run and 5 RBI, Nick Reeves and David Becker with .364 batting averages and Quinn Burcham who hit a scalding .333 with laser beam hits which included a double.
Monday, July 11, 2011
MBC Runs out of Steam in Game #3
MBC ran out of steam in the winner's bracket final last night losing to the FOC Blue 9-3.
FOC broke out early with a two run lead, but MBC had an answer for that. An error and a stolen base put a speedy Michell Smith on third base. He scored on Nick Salle's single to set the stage for Spencer "the Stitched" Hogger. Spencer gave MBC the lead with one big swing of the bat to launch a two run blast deep into the woods in left.
Spencer finished the night with three hits including a big double. Quinn Burcham added a single as did Nick Reeves. MBC threatened again and again through the night, but could just not get runs across the plate.
Tino gave it his all from the mound, but suffered some from pitching in the game just before. Riley Duffy came on in the fourth to save MBC with some quality innings, but the damage was done and the hard hitting, fast running FOC team cruised to victory.
FOC broke out early with a two run lead, but MBC had an answer for that. An error and a stolen base put a speedy Michell Smith on third base. He scored on Nick Salle's single to set the stage for Spencer "the Stitched" Hogger. Spencer gave MBC the lead with one big swing of the bat to launch a two run blast deep into the woods in left.
Spencer finished the night with three hits including a big double. Quinn Burcham added a single as did Nick Reeves. MBC threatened again and again through the night, but could just not get runs across the plate.
Tino gave it his all from the mound, but suffered some from pitching in the game just before. Riley Duffy came on in the fourth to save MBC with some quality innings, but the damage was done and the hard hitting, fast running FOC team cruised to victory.
MBC Shocks the Shocker in Game #2
MBC shocked the top seeded Shockers in their second game of the tourney. Again it was pitching, defense and some pretty good hitting.
In the first Spencer Hogger (back from last night's beaning) worked a walk and then scored as Tino Peleti announced that he was back with a towering home run.
After a run by the Shockers in the third, MBC went to work in the fourth. Tino led of with a scorching single to right and Stuart Fairchild walked. Quinn Burcham ripped a ball to left to load the bases. Ethan Clements singled home a run and was followed by Nick Reeves who singled home another. After an out, David Becker singled home one, but the Shockers made a great throw to nip Alex Mitchell at the plate to end the scoring.
MBC tried to play add on in the fifth. Tino doubled with two out but was thrown out at home after Stuart Fairchild singled to center.
MBC did get some much needed add on runs in the sixth. Ethan singled and moved to second as the Shockers miss handled Nick Reeve's bunt. Adam Hinthorne lined out, but David Becker came through with an RBI single and was followed by Mitchell Smith's single.
The story of the night was Ethan on the mound. Battling the heat, the crowd and the number one team in the league he pitched his heart out for five innings. In the the third he even had to battle his infield as try as they might they could not seem to make just one more routine play to get him off the field. I guess the new saying is "the fourth time's the charm".
Everyday Russell tried valiantly to close the door on the Shockers, but after holding them at bay for one inning yielded to Tino to close the game out and bring the victory home.
In the first Spencer Hogger (back from last night's beaning) worked a walk and then scored as Tino Peleti announced that he was back with a towering home run.
After a run by the Shockers in the third, MBC went to work in the fourth. Tino led of with a scorching single to right and Stuart Fairchild walked. Quinn Burcham ripped a ball to left to load the bases. Ethan Clements singled home a run and was followed by Nick Reeves who singled home another. After an out, David Becker singled home one, but the Shockers made a great throw to nip Alex Mitchell at the plate to end the scoring.
MBC tried to play add on in the fifth. Tino doubled with two out but was thrown out at home after Stuart Fairchild singled to center.
MBC did get some much needed add on runs in the sixth. Ethan singled and moved to second as the Shockers miss handled Nick Reeve's bunt. Adam Hinthorne lined out, but David Becker came through with an RBI single and was followed by Mitchell Smith's single.
The story of the night was Ethan on the mound. Battling the heat, the crowd and the number one team in the league he pitched his heart out for five innings. In the the third he even had to battle his infield as try as they might they could not seem to make just one more routine play to get him off the field. I guess the new saying is "the fourth time's the charm".
Everyday Russell tried valiantly to close the door on the Shockers, but after holding them at bay for one inning yielded to Tino to close the game out and bring the victory home.
Payback in Game #1 of State Tourney
Spencer Hogger in the ER
MBC got some payback on the Steelheads in game on of the State Tournament beating the Steelheads 9-7.
Stuart Fairchild pitched his best game ever going four and 2/3 innings fanning seven. Everyday Russell Madche closed it out and MBC moved on.
MBC broke out on top early with two runs in the second. Ethan Clements walked and moved to second on a passed ball. Nick Reeves belted a double into the gap to score Ethan and scored on Adam Hinthorne's single.
But the pesky Steelheads came back to score three in the third.
In the fifth, MBC took the lead for good with a four run inning. Adam led off with a single and the Steelheads could not get an out on David Becker's picture perfect bunt. A walk to Mitchell Smith loaded the bases for hot hitting Nick Salle who came through with a clutch single to score two.
In a just horrible moment, a pitch got away from the hard throwing Steelhead pitcher and Spencer Hogger was hit in the mouth. No teeth were lost (thankfully) and a shocked Spencer was taken to the hospital for eight stiches.
After the dust settled, Tino Peleti pouched a single to left to score two, and give MBC a lead they would hold onto.
Hits by Mitchell Smith and Nick Salle in the seventh put MBC back in business for some add on runs. Mitchell scored on Tino's infield out and after two walks Ethan and Nick Reeves each singled home a runs.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Come Back Win Against Sting Seals Play-off Bid
A hot hitting, never say die MBC team came back from a 10-3 deficit to beat the Sting and clinch a play-off bid.
It did not look good early for the MBC bunch. After taking an early 2-1 lead, MBC spotted the Sting seven runs in an ugly second inning. MBC came back with one run of their own, but allowed the Sting to add two to the score before MBC got busy and decided to come back.
In the sixth inning Adam Hinthorne started the ball rolling with one of his three hits on the night. The bases were then loaded on single by David Becker, and a walk to Ethan Clements. Adam scored as the Sting botched a double play ball, cheating at second (and being caught this time!) and throwing too late to first. Nick Salle then followed with a run producing single, Spencer Hogger walked with the bases still loaded, and Tino Peleti ended our scoring for the inning with a sacrifice fly. When the dust had settled, MBC was now down just three runs.
In the seventh, Quinn Burcham led off with a scalding single up the middle. After two quick outs things looked grim for MBC, but the Sting walked David and Ethan loading the bases again. Mitchell Smith came through with an RBI single, and Nick Salle came up with runners on second and third. Nick slashed a single to left and a scampering fleet footed Alex Mitchell never stopped running from second to tie the game.
In the seventh, Tino led off by being plunked and moved to second on Stuart Fairchild's single. Quin moved Tino to third as the Sting tried unsuccessfully to turn a double play bringing Adam Hinthorne to the plate with runners on the corners. Adam wasted no time slashing a single to right to score the go ahead run.
As MBC mounted this stunning comeback the Sting hitters were kept at bay with a surprisingly effective array of little used pitchers. Cather/Pitcher extraordinaire Mitchell Smith had put our the fire in the second and got MBC through the fourth inning. He was followed by our new middle reliever David Becker who blanked the Sting in the fifth.
The greatest surprise was Adam "Wee Man" Hinthorne taking over the game with a scoreless, one hit, three inning outing that covered the crucial sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Adam stared down a pretty good swinging Sting batting order as we tied and took over control of the game.
And he did it all in front of his shocked and bewildered Varsity pitching coach from Lakeside who had come out to watch him catch. We are all familiar with this coach, and have suspected his ability to judge pitching talent for years. In fact, his inability to notice true pitching talent when he sees it (ala Mitchell Smith just last year) is one of the many reasons for his off season firing from this team.
It did not look good early for the MBC bunch. After taking an early 2-1 lead, MBC spotted the Sting seven runs in an ugly second inning. MBC came back with one run of their own, but allowed the Sting to add two to the score before MBC got busy and decided to come back.
In the sixth inning Adam Hinthorne started the ball rolling with one of his three hits on the night. The bases were then loaded on single by David Becker, and a walk to Ethan Clements. Adam scored as the Sting botched a double play ball, cheating at second (and being caught this time!) and throwing too late to first. Nick Salle then followed with a run producing single, Spencer Hogger walked with the bases still loaded, and Tino Peleti ended our scoring for the inning with a sacrifice fly. When the dust had settled, MBC was now down just three runs.
In the seventh, Quinn Burcham led off with a scalding single up the middle. After two quick outs things looked grim for MBC, but the Sting walked David and Ethan loading the bases again. Mitchell Smith came through with an RBI single, and Nick Salle came up with runners on second and third. Nick slashed a single to left and a scampering fleet footed Alex Mitchell never stopped running from second to tie the game.
In the seventh, Tino led off by being plunked and moved to second on Stuart Fairchild's single. Quin moved Tino to third as the Sting tried unsuccessfully to turn a double play bringing Adam Hinthorne to the plate with runners on the corners. Adam wasted no time slashing a single to right to score the go ahead run.
As MBC mounted this stunning comeback the Sting hitters were kept at bay with a surprisingly effective array of little used pitchers. Cather/Pitcher extraordinaire Mitchell Smith had put our the fire in the second and got MBC through the fourth inning. He was followed by our new middle reliever David Becker who blanked the Sting in the fifth.
The greatest surprise was Adam "Wee Man" Hinthorne taking over the game with a scoreless, one hit, three inning outing that covered the crucial sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Adam stared down a pretty good swinging Sting batting order as we tied and took over control of the game.
And he did it all in front of his shocked and bewildered Varsity pitching coach from Lakeside who had come out to watch him catch. We are all familiar with this coach, and have suspected his ability to judge pitching talent for years. In fact, his inability to notice true pitching talent when he sees it (ala Mitchell Smith just last year) is one of the many reasons for his off season firing from this team.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
MBC Brings Bats and Surprise Pitching Depth on Day Two of Tourney
The bats arrived on day two and MBC won both games and knocked loudly on the door to make the final four.
Game one of the day saw MBC come back to beat the contending (a win against us put them in the top four) Timberjack team 11-10. The Timberjacks jumped out to a 8-4 lead but MBC came back hard to take them out.
Nick Reeves started and did his best to limit the hard hitting Timberjacks. Everday Russell Madche came on to battle the rest of the way throwing three gutty innings. BUT Russell (.429 for tourney) started the fire to bring the offense back with a towering home run to center to send a message to the Timberjacks AND his team.
After Russell's blast, Nick Salle single (three for this game alone) and was followed by another single from Spencer Hogger (4-4 for the game. Tino Peleti plated a another run with an infield out and Stuart Fairchild (3-4) drove in Spencer.
The Timberjacks played their own add on and in the last inning MBC came up down four runs.
David Becker led off the inning with a walk, Russell followed with a single and Mitchell Smith walked to load the bases. Nick Salle hit a ball the second baseman could not handle for one run, and Spencer singled home another. The Timberjacks walkd Tino to bring us within one run before their defense tightened up to force the tying run at the plate.
With two down, bases loaded and the winning run on second, a pinch hitting Adam "Wee Man" Hinthorne (.444 for the tourney) came up big with a clutch single to score two and keep MBC's hopes alive.
Our last game of the tourney was against FOC Gold. MBC went into the game hoping that a formula of Johnny Allstaff from the mound and a large contribution from our bats could secure another victory.
The bats came through and Johnny Allstaff was not needed. Quinn Burcham pitched a masterful no-hit game and flirted with a perfect game through three innings. Quinn walked one and beaned one to give FOC only two base runners (if you do not count the one error). Quinn did owe big, big thanks to a crazed Nick Salle in center field who twice swooped in the nap dropping line drives with diving catches.
Offensivly the bats were hot again; Spencer Hogger had two hits with a double and Adam Hinthorne had two hits as well. Nick Salle, Quinn Burcham and Russell Madche each had hits and David Becker's hit was a walk off 2 RBI single to bring Quinn's no hitter into the boat.
Game one of the day saw MBC come back to beat the contending (a win against us put them in the top four) Timberjack team 11-10. The Timberjacks jumped out to a 8-4 lead but MBC came back hard to take them out.
Nick Reeves started and did his best to limit the hard hitting Timberjacks. Everday Russell Madche came on to battle the rest of the way throwing three gutty innings. BUT Russell (.429 for tourney) started the fire to bring the offense back with a towering home run to center to send a message to the Timberjacks AND his team.
After Russell's blast, Nick Salle single (three for this game alone) and was followed by another single from Spencer Hogger (4-4 for the game. Tino Peleti plated a another run with an infield out and Stuart Fairchild (3-4) drove in Spencer.
The Timberjacks played their own add on and in the last inning MBC came up down four runs.
David Becker led off the inning with a walk, Russell followed with a single and Mitchell Smith walked to load the bases. Nick Salle hit a ball the second baseman could not handle for one run, and Spencer singled home another. The Timberjacks walkd Tino to bring us within one run before their defense tightened up to force the tying run at the plate.
With two down, bases loaded and the winning run on second, a pinch hitting Adam "Wee Man" Hinthorne (.444 for the tourney) came up big with a clutch single to score two and keep MBC's hopes alive.
Our last game of the tourney was against FOC Gold. MBC went into the game hoping that a formula of Johnny Allstaff from the mound and a large contribution from our bats could secure another victory.
The bats came through and Johnny Allstaff was not needed. Quinn Burcham pitched a masterful no-hit game and flirted with a perfect game through three innings. Quinn walked one and beaned one to give FOC only two base runners (if you do not count the one error). Quinn did owe big, big thanks to a crazed Nick Salle in center field who twice swooped in the nap dropping line drives with diving catches.
Offensivly the bats were hot again; Spencer Hogger had two hits with a double and Adam Hinthorne had two hits as well. Nick Salle, Quinn Burcham and Russell Madche each had hits and David Becker's hit was a walk off 2 RBI single to bring Quinn's no hitter into the boat.
Tough Losses on First Day of Tourney
MBC entered the Triple Crown Fourth of July tourney, and did so on shaky ground. With two big league games the two days after the tourney, MBC had to go in with the notion of saving pitchers for AFTER the tourney. Not a great way to start a tourney run. MBC realized that their chances to win the medal were slim to none and decided to see just how far their bats could take them. And the bats were oddly silent on the first day.
In game one MBC faced a tough O'Brien team (finished in the top four). MBC lost 6-3 in a game that could have went either way.
Stuart Fairchild pitched the first two innings, and the OB team touched him up for two runs, only one earned. MBC scored in the first with a lead off double from Nick Salle (.600 for tourney) and an RBI rip from Spencer Hogger (.467 for tourney).
MBC's bats went silent while OB played limited add on against Ethan Clements (3 innings) and Russell Madche (two innings).
In the sixth, Ethan Clements singled home Spencer to get one run back, and in the seventh Nick Reeves (.375 for tourney) was singled home by Nick Salle to end MBC's scoring.
Of course this game was marred by the ejection of Coach Cougan who was tossed via an identity crisis moment. In a pleasant, cordial exchange with one of the worst two umps in baseball (the other working the plate) Coach Cougan was gone after trying to confirm that, yes, he was the head coach of Magnolia.
Game two saw MBC fall 3-2 to the Bat Company of Portland Oregon. This team is a tournament ONLY team assembled from the finest 15 year olds in or around Portland, and I am sure somehow funded by all the loose Nike money that is making Oregon the cheating capital of the sports world; just my opinion, man. The Bat Company also made the top four teams - tough draw for MBC - of the 14 teams entered we played three teams that were in contention for the top four, four if you count playing AGAINST ourselves at times!
The Bat Company jumped on a wild Nike Salle early scoring two in the first and two in the third. That was all they would get as Tino Peleti then shut them down the rest of the way.
A wilder base running Nick Salle lead off the game for MBC with another hit, but was picked off second (with a debatable call from our favorite worst umpire in the world). But MBC did score one run in what could have been a much bigger inning.
MBC tied the game in the third when Tino scored on Stuart Fairchild's (.556 for tourney) double.
Down 4-2 in the fifth Nick Salle led off with a single, and was forced out at second on a "neighborhood play*" on a ground ball up the middle from Spencer. After a walk to Tino, Spencer scored on Stuart's second hit of the night.
The game got tight in the seventh. A lead off walk to Alex Mitchell put the tying run on first. Nick Salle hit a ball that almost got through for a hit, but the Bat Co. forced Alex at second. Nick then stole second and the game got crazy. The Bat Co. intentionally walked the Tino, and then shocked the world by intentionally walking Stuart! This put the go-ahead run on second, with two outs.
But, there was no joy in Magnoliaville as the Bat Company struck out our last hitter sending us home 0-2.
* A neighborhood play is when a player "cheats" and leaves the bag early to rush a throw in hopes of a double play. There was no finer example of the actions of the "Nike Sponsored" cheating "smart, well coached) shortstop of the Bat Company.
In game one MBC faced a tough O'Brien team (finished in the top four). MBC lost 6-3 in a game that could have went either way.
Stuart Fairchild pitched the first two innings, and the OB team touched him up for two runs, only one earned. MBC scored in the first with a lead off double from Nick Salle (.600 for tourney) and an RBI rip from Spencer Hogger (.467 for tourney).
MBC's bats went silent while OB played limited add on against Ethan Clements (3 innings) and Russell Madche (two innings).
In the sixth, Ethan Clements singled home Spencer to get one run back, and in the seventh Nick Reeves (.375 for tourney) was singled home by Nick Salle to end MBC's scoring.
Of course this game was marred by the ejection of Coach Cougan who was tossed via an identity crisis moment. In a pleasant, cordial exchange with one of the worst two umps in baseball (the other working the plate) Coach Cougan was gone after trying to confirm that, yes, he was the head coach of Magnolia.
Game two saw MBC fall 3-2 to the Bat Company of Portland Oregon. This team is a tournament ONLY team assembled from the finest 15 year olds in or around Portland, and I am sure somehow funded by all the loose Nike money that is making Oregon the cheating capital of the sports world; just my opinion, man. The Bat Company also made the top four teams - tough draw for MBC - of the 14 teams entered we played three teams that were in contention for the top four, four if you count playing AGAINST ourselves at times!
The Bat Company jumped on a wild Nike Salle early scoring two in the first and two in the third. That was all they would get as Tino Peleti then shut them down the rest of the way.
A wilder base running Nick Salle lead off the game for MBC with another hit, but was picked off second (with a debatable call from our favorite worst umpire in the world). But MBC did score one run in what could have been a much bigger inning.
MBC tied the game in the third when Tino scored on Stuart Fairchild's (.556 for tourney) double.
Down 4-2 in the fifth Nick Salle led off with a single, and was forced out at second on a "neighborhood play*" on a ground ball up the middle from Spencer. After a walk to Tino, Spencer scored on Stuart's second hit of the night.
The game got tight in the seventh. A lead off walk to Alex Mitchell put the tying run on first. Nick Salle hit a ball that almost got through for a hit, but the Bat Co. forced Alex at second. Nick then stole second and the game got crazy. The Bat Co. intentionally walked the Tino, and then shocked the world by intentionally walking Stuart! This put the go-ahead run on second, with two outs.
But, there was no joy in Magnoliaville as the Bat Company struck out our last hitter sending us home 0-2.
* A neighborhood play is when a player "cheats" and leaves the bag early to rush a throw in hopes of a double play. There was no finer example of the actions of the "Nike Sponsored" cheating "smart, well coached) shortstop of the Bat Company.
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