Game 17 - Wed 5.28 - W

When we come back, we come back strong. With sheer determination and will, the Whos pulled themselves out of a hole to earn a victory in their last game versus the Tsunami team fresh off a win against the Stingers. This is impressive for a couple of reasons - 1) We have not come from behind like this before and 2) We won against a team that just beat our toughest challenge all year. Now, while reason 2 is less significant, because comparing 2 teams is a lot like apples and oranges and everyone can get hot and everyone can get cold, it still goes to show that every team in our division is beatable and that we have the skills and talent and, most importantly teamwork to make it happen. Our record is just that, a record and doesn't speak to how well the Whos have been playing all year. So, big hand to everyone for their effort out there. One more game left to play and that's on Saturday. Let's go out swinging Whos!

FINAL SCORE
Whos: 18
Tsunami: 15

RECAP
The opening inning of the game saw the Whos struggle a little on offense. Mari struck out to lead things off. After Shelbey walked and stole her way to scoring position, Angelica struck out as well and things started to look grim for the Whos early on. Jade came to the plate with different ideas though and hit a double, bringing Shelbey across the plate to put the Whos on the board. Gaby got hit by a pitch for a walk and after Destinee walked as well, the bases were loaded. Hylah came up to bat and was trying her hardest to connect, but unfortunately struck out to close out the Whos offense with only 1 on the board.

Shelbey started the game at pitcher, but was clearly struggling to find her groove. The 1st batter walked and stole 2nd. 2 more batters walked to load the bases. A hit by the next batter scored 2 for the Tsunami team to put them ahead. Shelbey did not lose her composure though. She stuck it out, but unfortunately a few more walks gave Tsunami 4 on the inning to close out the 1st.

Whos up to start off the 2nd. The bats started swingning here to put us back in the game. Destinee walked and stole to 3rd. Maricella, then Mari walked to load the bases. Shelbey hit a double to bring Destinee and Maricella in. Then Angelica walked to load the bases once again. Jade hit a double to the outfield and 3 runs scored to put the Whos up by 1 point.

Mari took the rubber to pitch for the Whos in inning 2. She didn't disappoint here as she showed great control and concentration in her debut pitching performance of the season. 1st batter walked and the 2nd hit a double to put runners on 2nd and 3rd.
A hit down the 1st base side into Gaby's glove allowed her to make the out at 1st, but a runner was able to score. A missed ball hit to the infield allowed another run. Another walk put runners on 1st and 3rd. Great heads up by Mari on the next play catching a ball for the 2nd out really got the Whos energy up. But, in true dramatic fashion another walk loaded the bases and the energy turned to nervousness. Mari pulled it together to finish the inning strong with a strike out and held the Tsunami to 2 on the inning.

Opening the 3rd, the Tsunami team started to struggle at pitcher and every Who that came to the plate walked scoring the inning max of 4 to force the side change.

Sensing an opportunity to take the game away from Tsunami, the Whos put Jade in to pitch, but the walk curse hit our side as well and every Tsunami that came up advanced their runners to score 4 for their side as well.

Coming into the (unlimited run) 4th inning trailing by 1, the Whos knew it was time to turn it on if they were going to take this one. And, sure enough, that's what they did. Angelica walked to lead things off. Jade fouled her way to 2 strikes and it looked like it might not happen for her, but she finally hit one to deep center field for a home run and scoring 2. Walks on the next 3 Whos loaded the bases. Destinee came up and, once again pulled out the 'phantom bunting' technique, but unfortunately struck out. Tsunami, was forced to switch their struggling pitcher. The next 3 Whos walked, this time scoring with each advance. Then Jade, starting off our 2nd run through the line up for the inning, hit another one to the outfield, this time for a triple, bringing in 3 more for the Whos. Gaby struck out, then Casey and Hylah walked to load the bases, but no more would cross the plate as the pitcher was able to strike Destinee out to finally stop the Who charge with 9 on the board for the side.

Jade, disappointed and frustrated with her previous inning's pitching performance, came to the rubber for the final inning. We agreed that if she walked 2 batters that she would be switched out. So, she came out determined to close. 1st batter walked. A quick hit to Shelbey at short and a soft toss to Angelica at 2nd got the 1st out of the inning. On the next play, Jade fielded a grounder and got the ball to Gaby at 1st for the 2nd out of the inning, however the other Tsunami runner scored at home. The next batter walked, then stole 2nd. I wanted to let Jade close since there was only 1 out left to finish, but after this second walk, Jade wasn't feeling it and motioned to me for the switch. Shelbey came off of short to take over. A hit to Destinee in left field put runners on 1st and 3rd. The next 4 batters (3 walks and 1 single) scored 4 more for Tsunami, closing the gap. But the next batter hit a slow grounder on the 1st base side that Gaby was able to pick up and tag 1st for the final out, holding onto the lead and closing the game.

GAME BALL
For her awesome debut performance on the rubber and her much improved pitching and all her hard work to get there over the season, Mari received the game ball for this game. Great job Mari and way to go for finally earning your opportunity to 'drive the Who bus'. Keep it up.