Thursday, April 15 Vs Villa Grove.
Weather- Sun and 75 degrees!
Starting Pitcher- Michael Thompson
Relief- Salman Khan
We got off to the same rough start as the game before when we found ourselves down 7-1 after four innings. The difference is that we stayed within ourselves, battled and WON the game!
I could not be prouder of this win! This is the biggest comeback in my coaching career!
Two big innings brought us back and put us up!
The 5th was the start of it all. Chris Lenear lead off the inning with a double to center, Jared Broom hit a single, C.G. Facer singled, K. Ross reached on an error, Khan walked, Summers had an RBI grounder, Thompson singled and Kelley cleared the bases with a inning capping double. When it was all done the score was now 7-6... back in it!
We kept the momentum by only facing 4 batters in the top of the 6th, going right back to work. 6 more hits in the bottom of the 6th inning put 6 more runs on the board.
Salman Khan came in to close out the the game only facing 4 batters striking out the first two before giving up a meaningless hit and then getting the final batter to hit a soft grounder back to the mound, which he threw to Brian Summers at first.
Coaches Comments: Great Comeback!
Highlights:
Chris Lenear had a great game at the plate. Going 3 for 3 with 2 singles and a double and scoring 3 runs!
Mike Thompson continued to be one of our most consistent hitters going 3 for 3 with a walk and scoring 2 runs. C.G. Facer and Myles Kelley each added 2 hits.
It's a great win!! So exciting to get that comeback- we now know that we are never out of a game! So proud of these guys!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Vs Monticello
On Tuesday our game VS Monticello began like a few others this season. WE were late!
It's frustrating as a coach when we get on the bus and the driver says, " Monticello? Got it"
and then drives on 74 towards Bloomington! We turned around and found the field 30 minutes later then needed. Thanks to iPhones with GPS!
I feel badly that our players had to warm-up much quicker then they should have. The game:
Weather- Great- sunshine and slight breeze to left.
Starting Pitcher- Brian Summers
Relief- Kyle Ross
Monticello put up a 7 in the first 3 innings. The first time our young Tigers saw a home run it came in the 2nd innings on a wind aided hit by Monticello. Brian struggled in the early innings giving up 3 walks and 7 hits in his 2 2/3rds innings pitched. We have to give Monticello credit for hitting the strikes that Summers threw. As a coach I can't ask a pitcher to do more then that. Kyle Ross came in to relieve and got some help from the Tiger bats.
Over the next two innings we came charging back into the game. Scoring 5 runs. Spencer Lard got his first hit of the season, advanced to third on C.G. Facers single and later scored on Ross's bases clearing double. Salman Khan singled home Ross in the 5th. In the sixth Mike Thompson and Curtis Clark each had singles and scored- I was proud of the way we fought back and came within 2 runs of Monticello. A big bottom of the inning for Monticello put the game out of reach and finished our bid for the win.
Lost 13-5.
Coaches Comments: A theme that will continue this season- It will be difficult to win games with multiple walks and errors. This game provide us the proof. 8 walks and 3 errors effected our chances to win.
Highlights- Kyle Ross, Salman Khan, and Brian Summers each had 2 hits on the day. Ross had the biggest with the 2 RBI double in the 5th.
Giving Credit to a good hitting team in Monticello- they hit the ball well against us- 15 hits with 5 extra bases.
It's frustrating as a coach when we get on the bus and the driver says, " Monticello? Got it"
and then drives on 74 towards Bloomington! We turned around and found the field 30 minutes later then needed. Thanks to iPhones with GPS!
I feel badly that our players had to warm-up much quicker then they should have. The game:
Weather- Great- sunshine and slight breeze to left.
Starting Pitcher- Brian Summers
Relief- Kyle Ross
Monticello put up a 7 in the first 3 innings. The first time our young Tigers saw a home run it came in the 2nd innings on a wind aided hit by Monticello. Brian struggled in the early innings giving up 3 walks and 7 hits in his 2 2/3rds innings pitched. We have to give Monticello credit for hitting the strikes that Summers threw. As a coach I can't ask a pitcher to do more then that. Kyle Ross came in to relieve and got some help from the Tiger bats.
Over the next two innings we came charging back into the game. Scoring 5 runs. Spencer Lard got his first hit of the season, advanced to third on C.G. Facers single and later scored on Ross's bases clearing double. Salman Khan singled home Ross in the 5th. In the sixth Mike Thompson and Curtis Clark each had singles and scored- I was proud of the way we fought back and came within 2 runs of Monticello. A big bottom of the inning for Monticello put the game out of reach and finished our bid for the win.
Lost 13-5.
Coaches Comments: A theme that will continue this season- It will be difficult to win games with multiple walks and errors. This game provide us the proof. 8 walks and 3 errors effected our chances to win.
Highlights- Kyle Ross, Salman Khan, and Brian Summers each had 2 hits on the day. Ross had the biggest with the 2 RBI double in the 5th.
Giving Credit to a good hitting team in Monticello- they hit the ball well against us- 15 hits with 5 extra bases.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
VS Centennial Freshman
Weather: Perfect high 60's low 70's. Sunny.
Starting Pitcher: Myles Kelley
Reliever: Salman Khan
As freshman games go, this one had it's ups and downs. Let's start off with some of the downs... get 'em out of the way.
When a batter is Hit By a Pitch, it will be scored in the stat book as HBP, and then the stat keeper will draw a line to first base.
There are two school's of thought on HBP's:
One is that the batters will be nervous to go up to the plate because they don't want to get hit, thus making them less likely to hit the ball when a strike is thrown.
The second is that the team being hit doesn't really care because they know it's a free pass to get on base. (and we don't throw all that hard at this level, so it's not going to hurt for long)
We've been working with Kelley on control and the first few innings showed why. Myles hit 4 batters through three innings. Looking at that stat may make some think he's a wild pitcher. But honestly he's not. It's just experience. And through the course of the game he became more comfortable on the mound and threw many strikes.
I also teach pitchers to throw to contact. Make them beat us by hitting the ball. Myles only walked 1 batter through his 5 and 1/3 innings. They can just hit it. With over 12 hits the Centennial team proved to be a better hitting freshman group. And we know now that we have to improve to keep pace.
The UP's- This game proved that even as young as we are, we can make plays. I was proud of only one error all day and some great catches in the outfield. At the plate I was excited when Centennial moved there infielders onto the grass when Freshman C.G. Facer was at bat. C.G. came through and hit 2 singles over there heads. A nice "In Your Face" to them!
Coaches comments: In my limited time here in Urbana, I didn't know what teams were natural rivals, which teams that these players grew up with and want nothing more then to beat.
With the move made at the end of the game gave me a very good reason to add this team to the top of the list of rivals.
With the Tigers down 12-3 in the bottom of the 6th inning. It was very disrespectful to me, my players, and the parents in the stands, when a right handed player for the other team turned around and batted left handed. It was clear to me that it was a joke to the players and coaches on the other team, and in the context of a freshman game- a game to learn and gain experience for players not normally in the line-up was not the place to do such a thing.
I don't blame the young player for asking or trying to bunt to get on base. What frustrated me was the Coaching staff allowed that to happen. When it was clear that he wasn't It just motivates me that much more to beat these guys in the future.
We have winnable games against Monticello, Villa Grove, and MacArthur still on the schedule this week, let's start a winning streak!
Go Tigers.
Starting Pitcher: Myles Kelley
Reliever: Salman Khan
As freshman games go, this one had it's ups and downs. Let's start off with some of the downs... get 'em out of the way.
When a batter is Hit By a Pitch, it will be scored in the stat book as HBP, and then the stat keeper will draw a line to first base.
There are two school's of thought on HBP's:
One is that the batters will be nervous to go up to the plate because they don't want to get hit, thus making them less likely to hit the ball when a strike is thrown.
The second is that the team being hit doesn't really care because they know it's a free pass to get on base. (and we don't throw all that hard at this level, so it's not going to hurt for long)
We've been working with Kelley on control and the first few innings showed why. Myles hit 4 batters through three innings. Looking at that stat may make some think he's a wild pitcher. But honestly he's not. It's just experience. And through the course of the game he became more comfortable on the mound and threw many strikes.
I also teach pitchers to throw to contact. Make them beat us by hitting the ball. Myles only walked 1 batter through his 5 and 1/3 innings. They can just hit it. With over 12 hits the Centennial team proved to be a better hitting freshman group. And we know now that we have to improve to keep pace.
The UP's- This game proved that even as young as we are, we can make plays. I was proud of only one error all day and some great catches in the outfield. At the plate I was excited when Centennial moved there infielders onto the grass when Freshman C.G. Facer was at bat. C.G. came through and hit 2 singles over there heads. A nice "In Your Face" to them!
Coaches comments: In my limited time here in Urbana, I didn't know what teams were natural rivals, which teams that these players grew up with and want nothing more then to beat.
With the move made at the end of the game gave me a very good reason to add this team to the top of the list of rivals.
With the Tigers down 12-3 in the bottom of the 6th inning. It was very disrespectful to me, my players, and the parents in the stands, when a right handed player for the other team turned around and batted left handed. It was clear to me that it was a joke to the players and coaches on the other team, and in the context of a freshman game- a game to learn and gain experience for players not normally in the line-up was not the place to do such a thing.
I don't blame the young player for asking or trying to bunt to get on base. What frustrated me was the Coaching staff allowed that to happen. When it was clear that he wasn't It just motivates me that much more to beat these guys in the future.
We have winnable games against Monticello, Villa Grove, and MacArthur still on the schedule this week, let's start a winning streak!
Go Tigers.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Still On the Bus Vs Maroa-Forsyth
On Saturday the Tigers faced a challenge- Not so much the Maroa-Forsyth Trojans...but just finding the baseball diamond!
This coach believes the hosting, home team should make the visitors aware that the game will be played at an off site. For the second time in the young season we haven't been notified of the field we are to play on. As the coach I would like to apologize to family who spent the time driving the hour plus to the Decatur area in search of our game.
It should be noted that the opposing coach did nothing to help us. Spending an extra 30 minutes on the bus searching for the diamond was frustrating. And the game that proceeded continued with the same frustration.
Weather: Exceptional sunshine
Starting Pitcher- Michael Thompson
Relief- Kyle Ross, Salman Khan
Even though we didn't have much time to warm-up, the Tigers got off to a great start. Mike Thompson sparkled through the first 3 innings, striking out 6 while only giving up two hits keeping the Trojans off the score board. The offense was working as well. Plating 7 runs in the first four innings for a 7-0 lead.
Then it seemed we couldn't get a called strike or had any luck in the field. Committing 2 errors and walking 3 in the bottom of the fourth put Maroa-Forsyth back into he game.
Our struggles continued in the field as we committed 4 more errors in the remaining innings, by the time we got out of 6th the Trojans had scored 13 runs. Questionable calls in the field, and the continued lack of experience of our young team has to learn to close out winnable games. Pleased with a small comeback that just wasn't enough finishing the game in a loss 13-10.
Coaches Comments:
As we know hind site is always 20/20. With a 7 run lead early in the game I made defensive changes that could have waited at least another inning. I am always looking for ways to give all players the much needed experience. As frustrating it is for our players to go through the growing pains of making mistakes. Those are valuable learning moments that will hopefully help later in the season. I want players to have confidence when they get a chance to play and have teammates learn to help out each other when one or more are going through a rough inning. These changes didn't help us win this game, and I learned that some need a little more practice and need to be better prepared to succeed.
Highlights:
We had our season high of 14 hits including 4 extra base hits. We know this team can put points on the board! The heart of our order had a great day at the plate. Sophomore Salman Khan and freshman Brian Summers and Michael Thompson combined for 10 hits and scored 7 of our 10 runs.
Batting in the 3 spot in the order. Khan went 3 for 5. After reaching on an error and scoring in the first, he added singles in the third, fourth, and seventh innings. His three base hits went to all three outfield spots. He scored four runs.
Clean-up hitter Brian Summers went 3 for 4 with a walk and an RBI. Two singles, and a double to lead off the sixth inning. Brian scored 2 runs for the Tigers.
In the 5 spot Michael Thompson reached base all five times he came to the plate. Going 4 for 4 with a walk, Thompson had three singles and double and scored 2 runs.
Jared Broom and Chris Lenear helped the team when they both hit doubles. Broom's was his first career hit and his first 2 RBI's of the season. Congrats Jared!
Third baseman Curtis Clark added 2 more RBI's when he hit a single with the bases loaded in the fourth inning.
Up Next for the Tigers will be a full week. Five games are scheduled this week and looking at the weather forecast I think we will be playing all!
Let's keep the bats hot when we travel to Centennial in the freshman contest on Monday!
@ Monticello on Wednesday, and back home for Villa Grove on Thursday and finish up the week at home for a double header against MacArthur on Saturday! Lets but together some wins this week Tigers!
Special Thanks to parents for traveling- And helping with directions to Maroa-Forsyth.
Picture Day is this Tuesday April 13th! Players were given order forms last week- Full Dress Uniforms needed!
This coach believes the hosting, home team should make the visitors aware that the game will be played at an off site. For the second time in the young season we haven't been notified of the field we are to play on. As the coach I would like to apologize to family who spent the time driving the hour plus to the Decatur area in search of our game.
It should be noted that the opposing coach did nothing to help us. Spending an extra 30 minutes on the bus searching for the diamond was frustrating. And the game that proceeded continued with the same frustration.
Weather: Exceptional sunshine
Starting Pitcher- Michael Thompson
Relief- Kyle Ross, Salman Khan
Even though we didn't have much time to warm-up, the Tigers got off to a great start. Mike Thompson sparkled through the first 3 innings, striking out 6 while only giving up two hits keeping the Trojans off the score board. The offense was working as well. Plating 7 runs in the first four innings for a 7-0 lead.
Then it seemed we couldn't get a called strike or had any luck in the field. Committing 2 errors and walking 3 in the bottom of the fourth put Maroa-Forsyth back into he game.
Our struggles continued in the field as we committed 4 more errors in the remaining innings, by the time we got out of 6th the Trojans had scored 13 runs. Questionable calls in the field, and the continued lack of experience of our young team has to learn to close out winnable games. Pleased with a small comeback that just wasn't enough finishing the game in a loss 13-10.
Coaches Comments:
As we know hind site is always 20/20. With a 7 run lead early in the game I made defensive changes that could have waited at least another inning. I am always looking for ways to give all players the much needed experience. As frustrating it is for our players to go through the growing pains of making mistakes. Those are valuable learning moments that will hopefully help later in the season. I want players to have confidence when they get a chance to play and have teammates learn to help out each other when one or more are going through a rough inning. These changes didn't help us win this game, and I learned that some need a little more practice and need to be better prepared to succeed.
Highlights:
We had our season high of 14 hits including 4 extra base hits. We know this team can put points on the board! The heart of our order had a great day at the plate. Sophomore Salman Khan and freshman Brian Summers and Michael Thompson combined for 10 hits and scored 7 of our 10 runs.
Batting in the 3 spot in the order. Khan went 3 for 5. After reaching on an error and scoring in the first, he added singles in the third, fourth, and seventh innings. His three base hits went to all three outfield spots. He scored four runs.
Clean-up hitter Brian Summers went 3 for 4 with a walk and an RBI. Two singles, and a double to lead off the sixth inning. Brian scored 2 runs for the Tigers.
In the 5 spot Michael Thompson reached base all five times he came to the plate. Going 4 for 4 with a walk, Thompson had three singles and double and scored 2 runs.
Jared Broom and Chris Lenear helped the team when they both hit doubles. Broom's was his first career hit and his first 2 RBI's of the season. Congrats Jared!
Third baseman Curtis Clark added 2 more RBI's when he hit a single with the bases loaded in the fourth inning.
Up Next for the Tigers will be a full week. Five games are scheduled this week and looking at the weather forecast I think we will be playing all!
Let's keep the bats hot when we travel to Centennial in the freshman contest on Monday!
@ Monticello on Wednesday, and back home for Villa Grove on Thursday and finish up the week at home for a double header against MacArthur on Saturday! Lets but together some wins this week Tigers!
Special Thanks to parents for traveling- And helping with directions to Maroa-Forsyth.
Picture Day is this Tuesday April 13th! Players were given order forms last week- Full Dress Uniforms needed!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tigers Face Tuscola in Heartbreaker
The Tigers faced Tuscola at home on Tuesday night. The weather was warm and we got almost as much breeze from gusting winds as the swinging bats that Freshman Brian Summers enticed from the Warriors.
Summers set a personal best, striking out 10 batters while pitching 7 very impressive innings. To put into context for a freshman, in only his second start of the season, would be very difficult. Domination, would be a word I would use. Only walking two and giving up one bloop hit in gusting winds, Summers performed above his years of experience in high school baseball. The future is VERY bright for one of the JV captains.
For seven innings the Tiger defense helped Summers continue his gem. Salman Khan had an amazing over the shoulder diving catch in the swirling winds as he retreated from his second base position, lunging at the last second in shallow center field. In his first start of the season Jared Broom made two difficult catches in right field battling the ever present wind.
Myles Kelley drove in the lone tiger run on a well hit grounder that he nearly beat out at first.
With the score tied at ONE run apiece the JV team entered extra innings for the first time in this coaches tenure. While the eventual outcome wasn't what we wanted, the game was a great learning experience for all involved and we know that we will be much better prepared next time this situation presents itself.
Myles Kelley and C.G. Facer came into to relieve Summers in the top of the 8th. Both pitchers struggled to find the strike zone and the defense that was focused for seven innings began to feel the pressure of the game. Walks and errors in that final inning plated 10 runs for Tuscola, but I'm sure that each Tiger player understands that it was our fourth game of the season, though it was a difficult way to learn. Such is the way with freshman players. Always a learning process.
Coaches comments:
I'm extreme proud of the players for the seven innings we stayed focused and battled against a sophomore dominated team. We found our Ace, and know what it feels like to play in a close, tight game.
We need to eliminate the mental mistakes late in games and need to have players understand situations a little better and keep working hard. Losing focus and letting our emotions get the better of us in that final inning needs to change. We know that now.
At the plate I felt that we made some good contact and just couldn't find the holes in the defense of Tuscola. They made many plays from short stop. Just needed some hits to fall and we have a different game.
Please understand that this was only our FOURTH game of the season. Overall we have some great things that we can take away from in this heart breaker.
Go Tigers!
Summers set a personal best, striking out 10 batters while pitching 7 very impressive innings. To put into context for a freshman, in only his second start of the season, would be very difficult. Domination, would be a word I would use. Only walking two and giving up one bloop hit in gusting winds, Summers performed above his years of experience in high school baseball. The future is VERY bright for one of the JV captains.
For seven innings the Tiger defense helped Summers continue his gem. Salman Khan had an amazing over the shoulder diving catch in the swirling winds as he retreated from his second base position, lunging at the last second in shallow center field. In his first start of the season Jared Broom made two difficult catches in right field battling the ever present wind.
Myles Kelley drove in the lone tiger run on a well hit grounder that he nearly beat out at first.
With the score tied at ONE run apiece the JV team entered extra innings for the first time in this coaches tenure. While the eventual outcome wasn't what we wanted, the game was a great learning experience for all involved and we know that we will be much better prepared next time this situation presents itself.
Myles Kelley and C.G. Facer came into to relieve Summers in the top of the 8th. Both pitchers struggled to find the strike zone and the defense that was focused for seven innings began to feel the pressure of the game. Walks and errors in that final inning plated 10 runs for Tuscola, but I'm sure that each Tiger player understands that it was our fourth game of the season, though it was a difficult way to learn. Such is the way with freshman players. Always a learning process.
Coaches comments:
I'm extreme proud of the players for the seven innings we stayed focused and battled against a sophomore dominated team. We found our Ace, and know what it feels like to play in a close, tight game.
We need to eliminate the mental mistakes late in games and need to have players understand situations a little better and keep working hard. Losing focus and letting our emotions get the better of us in that final inning needs to change. We know that now.
At the plate I felt that we made some good contact and just couldn't find the holes in the defense of Tuscola. They made many plays from short stop. Just needed some hits to fall and we have a different game.
Please understand that this was only our FOURTH game of the season. Overall we have some great things that we can take away from in this heart breaker.
Go Tigers!
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Weather Wins Again! Fresh Central and Charleston games Canceled!
Well the Tigers have faced the Illinois Spring weather yet again!
Last Saturday's Freshman game Vs Central was canceled due to strong Thunderstorms in the morning raining out the home double header.
This monday the Tigers packed up the bus and enjoyed the ride down to Charleston until we got off the bus (at the wrong Field!) started to unpack the gear and within minutes the thunderstorm and lightning came rolling in.
When we returned to the bus to find the correct field- (it seems that nobody told this coach that the JV Team plays games at an off site!- and their Varsity likes to practice on the field near the High School.
Once we waited for both the Charleston High School and Middle School buses to move out of our way, we made it to the the game field. As we arrived a giant lightning bolt struck in the distance, and the rain continued.
The IHSA rules state that baseball teams have to wait a minimum 30 minutes after the last lightning strike before we can even take the field to warm up. The Charleston coach, umpire and myself discussed the options. Even asking players to look up the weather on the web with all the fancy cell phones! Tornado warnings in Charleston put us back on the bus and headed back to school.
We will have many more games to compete in. Such is the way the weather will force us to rest and prepare for the next game.
Tuesday: HOME Vs Tuscola- 4:30 start time.
Go Tigers!
Last Saturday's Freshman game Vs Central was canceled due to strong Thunderstorms in the morning raining out the home double header.
This monday the Tigers packed up the bus and enjoyed the ride down to Charleston until we got off the bus (at the wrong Field!) started to unpack the gear and within minutes the thunderstorm and lightning came rolling in.
When we returned to the bus to find the correct field- (it seems that nobody told this coach that the JV Team plays games at an off site!- and their Varsity likes to practice on the field near the High School.
Once we waited for both the Charleston High School and Middle School buses to move out of our way, we made it to the the game field. As we arrived a giant lightning bolt struck in the distance, and the rain continued.
The IHSA rules state that baseball teams have to wait a minimum 30 minutes after the last lightning strike before we can even take the field to warm up. The Charleston coach, umpire and myself discussed the options. Even asking players to look up the weather on the web with all the fancy cell phones! Tornado warnings in Charleston put us back on the bus and headed back to school.
We will have many more games to compete in. Such is the way the weather will force us to rest and prepare for the next game.
Tuesday: HOME Vs Tuscola- 4:30 start time.
Go Tigers!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Game 3 Vs Lanphier WIN!!
Tigers WIN!! 14-4 Ten Run Rule!
Starting Pitcher- Michael Thompson, Reliever Kyle Ross.
Temp- 58 degree. Sunny!
Great way to get our first win of the season. Mike Thompson pitch a very strong 3 plus innings only giving up 3 hits and striking out three. All phases of the game showed much improvement since the first day. 13 hits helped create a large lead and the Tigers came away with a big first win!
The Second inning was a hit fest- Six singles and a double opened up a 7 run lead. Curtis Clark lead off the inning with a single to left field and Chris Lenear followed up with nice hit to the right side, Jordan Patterson took a walk and singles by C.G. Facer and Kyle Ross plated 5 runs. Salman Khan continued the hit parade with deep double to left field that scored two more. Brian Summers hit a sharp single to continue the scoring. Clark single for a second time in the inning bringing the scoring barrage to 7 runs. 12 batters got to see pitches and everyone hit the ball somewhere. Great things happen when we put the ball into play.
Defensively we looked much better. Myles Kelley started off the game with two nice catches in center field. Mike Thompson held Lanphier to two runs.
In the fourth inning Chris Lenear made a great double play; catching a line drive and then doubling off the runner on first base.
Kyle Ross came in to relieve and did a solid job with some spotty defense behind him- Catching a VERY sharp line-drive that took him off his feet. Kyle tried to force out the runner on second base, making a nice throw from his backside, but the runner got his hand back on the base just in time!
Coaches Comments- It's great to get that first win. The way we hit the ball makes me very encouraged for the season ahead. Though, we do have quite a lot to work on. With four errors in the field we let Lanphier creep back into the game briefly. But those things should be cured with a little more experience. We really need to work on our cut-off throws and staying focused when the game is still in the balance. I'm happy that everyone got to play at least an inning in the field and each got at least one at bat.
Special Note: Coach Waller has canceled varsity practice for Wednesday. So that gives the JV a chance to use the home park for practice- (Very rare for us in the season!) The Thursday game vs. Schlarman has been canceled due to the Easter holiday- (they don't play on holy Thursday) Practice will be at the high school from 3:45-5:45. Friday is a day off school so we will practice from 10-12 at the home park that day as well!
Go Tigers!
Starting Pitcher- Michael Thompson, Reliever Kyle Ross.
Temp- 58 degree. Sunny!
Great way to get our first win of the season. Mike Thompson pitch a very strong 3 plus innings only giving up 3 hits and striking out three. All phases of the game showed much improvement since the first day. 13 hits helped create a large lead and the Tigers came away with a big first win!
The Second inning was a hit fest- Six singles and a double opened up a 7 run lead. Curtis Clark lead off the inning with a single to left field and Chris Lenear followed up with nice hit to the right side, Jordan Patterson took a walk and singles by C.G. Facer and Kyle Ross plated 5 runs. Salman Khan continued the hit parade with deep double to left field that scored two more. Brian Summers hit a sharp single to continue the scoring. Clark single for a second time in the inning bringing the scoring barrage to 7 runs. 12 batters got to see pitches and everyone hit the ball somewhere. Great things happen when we put the ball into play.
Defensively we looked much better. Myles Kelley started off the game with two nice catches in center field. Mike Thompson held Lanphier to two runs.
In the fourth inning Chris Lenear made a great double play; catching a line drive and then doubling off the runner on first base.
Kyle Ross came in to relieve and did a solid job with some spotty defense behind him- Catching a VERY sharp line-drive that took him off his feet. Kyle tried to force out the runner on second base, making a nice throw from his backside, but the runner got his hand back on the base just in time!
Coaches Comments- It's great to get that first win. The way we hit the ball makes me very encouraged for the season ahead. Though, we do have quite a lot to work on. With four errors in the field we let Lanphier creep back into the game briefly. But those things should be cured with a little more experience. We really need to work on our cut-off throws and staying focused when the game is still in the balance. I'm happy that everyone got to play at least an inning in the field and each got at least one at bat.
Special Note: Coach Waller has canceled varsity practice for Wednesday. So that gives the JV a chance to use the home park for practice- (Very rare for us in the season!) The Thursday game vs. Schlarman has been canceled due to the Easter holiday- (they don't play on holy Thursday) Practice will be at the high school from 3:45-5:45. Friday is a day off school so we will practice from 10-12 at the home park that day as well!
Go Tigers!
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