OK - I know I said I was going to post after each game - but .... here we are at the end of the week - and I have a lot of catching up to do.
Monday brought a really cold, misty game against the vaunted Astros ... for some reason - this team is or Achilles heel - but we thought we would have a better chance tonight. We got one of our players from last year back - as his high school season just finished - and he started the game in the mound ... but control issues from the start and some key hitting from the Astros (and what disastrous inning wouldn't be complete without an error as well) - and we were down 4-1 after one inning. Holden did not have a good first at bat - and went down swinging. We switched pitchers and stopped the bleeding playing good defense and had some solid pitching. Holden was catching the entire game (starting to become the same story over and over). However, we could not get any hits. Going into the top of the last inning - we were down 6-1. We rallied back and got 3 runs - but fell just a little short losing 6-4. Holden had one more at bat during the game and drew a walk. He was on deck when the game ended - would have been fun if he had a shot to hit with the game on the line.
Tuesday, we played the Bucs - similar crappy weather - just no rain. We've beaten this team twice before, so we were hoping to jump out to a lead and give a chance to get Holden on the mound. Another less than stellar day at the plate for our team - and another slow start. The good thing was our pitching was on - and we had a low scoring start to the game. The Tigers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead - Holden hit a weak grounder the first time up (ugh). After a few scoreless innings, the Tigers gave up 3 runs in the 4th inning and trailed 3-2. The Tigers picked up two runs in the bottom of the 4th and two more in the bottom of the 5th. The Tigers held the Bucs scoreless the rest of the way and won 6-3. Holden got a single and but didn't score (and ended up being called out on a play that he was obstructed - terrible call by the ump) and flew out to the Left Fielder in his other two at bats - and unfortunately - because it was a tight game - he had to catch the entire game.
Holden was not happy with his hitting performance - so on Wednesday - he and I went to the field for some live hitting practice at the field... I can assure you that my arm will take some time to recover! But - I think we got some things worked out. Also had a good throwing session with Holden - and he got to work on some new form with his fastball and slider.
Today (Thursday) - brought us the hated Diamond Kings. This team has some of our rivals back from little league days - and they came ready to play. We started off with a 2-0 lead in the first inning - as Holden had an RBI single with a nice hit through the infield. The score remained 2-0 for the next two innings - and the bottom of the third inning the Diamond Kings struck back with a string of errors by one of our outfielders. After three innings, we trailed 3-2. The top of the 4th we picked up two more runs, and added another in the 5th. Holden hit a ground ball to the left side in the 5th that should have scored a run - but was called out on a brutal call by the umpire. The top of the 5th we added one more to take the lead 5-3. The top of the 6th we had another runner called out by the umpire who was out of position - this also cost us a run - as Holden CRUSHED a ball over the left fielders head that bounced to the fence - and ended up with a stand up double - but was stranded on base. The bottom of the 6th came and another error and another bad call ... and unfortunately - the Diamond Kings mounted a two out rally and beat us 6-5. It was a good game - but would have been nicer if we would have come out winners. Granted - we had some bad calls in this game (as one of the umps was the same one we had against the Bucs) - but the team made too many mistakes to win against a team of the Diamond Kings caliber. They should have never been close enough to make calls like the ones we had effect the outcome of the game.
At least Holden ended the week making solid contact with the ball - and played every inning of every game. That is the one advantage of being the only experienced catcher. Next week - we hope to get him out from behind the plate and maybe on the mound ... that game is Monday - and unfortunately - I will not be there to give you the play by play ... Mallory's end of year softball banquet is that night ... so I'm sure I'll have more to report. The weekend has a tournament for Mallory - and some days off for Holden. Until the next post ....
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