Game 11 - Double Header Game 2 - Sat 5.03 - L

For the 2nd game in our Saturday double-header, we hosted the Piedmont Predators in an interleague matchup, which saw the Whos go 0-2 to begin the 2nd half of the 2008 season (technically 0-1 since interleague games don’t count towards our standings).

FINAL SCORE
Piedmont Predators: 5
Whos: 2

Coming off our heartbreaking loss at the Hands of the Army Bratz earlier in the day, the Whos tried to rally back as we hosted the Piedmont Predators in the 2nd game of last Saturday's double-header. Now there were a few issues with this game. The first being that the Predators came in with the minimum number of players, thus forcing them to play a rule loophole game with their roster in trying to be able to start the game. Then the umps officiating were not aware of lineup rules for interleague games, which we brought to their attention multiple times, but were shut down each time. This lack of awareness of the rules of the league and interleague by the officiating team allowed the Predators to play 'illegally'. If this hadn't happened, the outcome may have been different, but ultimately the Predators won the game as it was played. Interleague games do not count for our standings, but a loss is still demoralizing, however the Whos put on a signature show. One that saw us put on a good performance on both sides of the ball, but one that fell just short of a win once again.

RECAP
The opening frame saw Destinee at the rubber pitching once again with surprising accuracy to allow only 1 run to the Predators amidst a string of strike outs.

On offense, Kas brought her hitting, which she found in the last game against the Bratz to produce another double (3rd on the day). Another couple of walks allowed the Whos to score 2 runs before striking out for the inning.

Hylah took the rubber for the 2nd inning and put on a solid performance of her own. After a walk, Hylah managed to strike a batter out. But a batter managed to pull off a hit to the outfield bringing in two more runs before Hylah was able to retire the side with a couple more strike outs.

Coming into the bottom of the 2nd trailing by 1, the Whos took their at bats and the Predator pitcher was able to strike 2 out in quick succession. But the Whos started to come on and began loading the bases. However, it was not to be as Shelbey struck out and the Whos went scoreless for the inning.

Shelbey came in to pitch for the 3rd inning and after 2 quick strike outs of her own, lost the groove and walked a couple of Predators in before finding the rhythm to strike a 3rd Predator out.

Whos up to bat and again loaded the bases setting the stage for Hylah to try to take one for a ride with 2 outs, bases loaded and a full count at the bottom of the 3rd. The pitch came in, and Hylah, with a sense of desperation and in an attempt to make a big play caught a piece of the ball, but not enough to send it sailing. It hit the ground just within reach of the player on 1st base with enough time for her to pick the ball up and run to make the tag at first, effectively shutting the door on the Whos' comeback attempt in the 3rd.

Jade, closing the show for the Whos had her work cut out for her to try to hold the Predators scoreless. The 1st batter hit the ball to the infield and a heads up play by Mari throwing to Gaby at 1st was enough to get the out at 1st. Jade came alive with a strike out of the next batter. Then a base hit put a runner in play, but Jade quickly responded with another strike to hold the Predators at 5.

Unfortunately for the Whos, the 4th inning was an echo of the 3rd. This time, after 2 Whos struck out, Kas was up to bat and on a 2 and 2 count hit the ball. The Whos, hoping for another double (or more) were stunned by the hit being a pop up down the 1st base line that was caught by the Predator right fielder to end the game and to give us the 2nd loss of the day.

GAME BALL
For this game, Destinee was awarded the game ball for her solid pitching performance to start off the game.

COMMENT
Now, I have to mention that without the technical ruling errors, the Predators should have taken outs every time their missing player came up in the batting order or they should've taken that player off of their lineup entirely, but it's difficult to know what the actual outcome of the game would've been since we did play the game as is.

But I have to say that, even though we've been losing more games than winning, the girls are playing really well overall and the games have been very competitive and exciting. That's something that no one can take away from us this year. What more can you really ask for?