Game 8 - Sat 4.26 - L

On Saturday we played the Fireballs for the second time this season. We beat the Fireballs when we last played them. So we came into the game with a little confidence on Saturday afternoon.

FINAL SCORE
Fireballs: 10
Whos: 5

RECAP
Coming off our win over the Raiderettes on Thursday, the Whos were going to ride their momentum against the Fireballs. We experimented a little with our pitchers since we have a few girls interested in playing the position. The results were mixed, but we were able to see some other girls on the rubber.

We started off with Destnee, who put in a solid performance to open the game. Destinee struck her first batter out. Jade caught a pop up for the 2nd of the inning and another pop up managed to find it's way back to the pitcher and Destinee, using her cat-like reflexes was able to make the stop and hold the Fireballs scoreless for the 1st inning.

At bat, Shelbey got on base and later Jade hit the ball to drive Shelbey home for the 1 point that we managed to score in the 1st.

Kas came in to pitch in the 2nd. After an initial walk, Kas composed herself enough to strike a batter out and to catch a ball for a 2nd out. However after a Fireballs hit drove in 2 runs, Kas began to struggle. Destinee was brought back to finish the inning, but wasn't able to regain her earlier groove and the Fireballs were able to walk in 2 more for the 2nd. I was very proud of Kas for fighting through a worsening headache to try to complete her inning. That showed a lot of toughness.

Quickly the Whos fell to the Fireball defense as Gaby was out at 1st on a base hit and 2 more strike outs held us to 1 point.

Jade came in to pitch for the 3rd and the Whos, looking to turn the tide, put on a good defensive show. Mari threw to Gaby at 1st for an out, then Cambria threw to Gaby for another. The Fireballs scored another before another Cambria/Gaby combo came up slightly short for another out. But Jade finally closed out the side by catching a fly ball in the infield.

Time for the offense to go to work. After gaining a base on balls, Cambria stole her way to 3rd and waited to score. A couple more walks loaded the bases. Shelbey and Hylah got hit by the ball, but a walk is a walk. Then the Fireball pitcher started to struggle herself and allowed 2 runs. At a key moment in the game, Jade hit a double, scoring 2 more runs to end the inning and nullify the Fireball lead.

Going into the 4th tied up at 5, Shelbey took to the rubber to close out the show, but immediately started to struggle. After an early strike out, the Fireballs notched 5 points on walks and we had to bring Jade back in to try to limit the lead. Quickly, Shelbey caught a pop-up for the 2nd out, then Jade strikes the last Fireball out. But the damage was done and the Whos had to attempt to make a comeback in the bottom of the 4th.

A glimmer of hope came in the form of a base hit by Gaby, but unfortunately the Whos were shut down quickly, by the Fireball pitcher, who managed to get our girls to swing and strike out closing the door on the Whos come from behind attempt to win the game for the Fireballs.

On the bright side, this sets us up for the tie-breaker the next time we meet the Fireballs later in the season. Our record against the Fireballs now stands at 1-1. We'll get 'em next time Whos.

GAME BALL
The game ball today went to Gaby for finally healing up her finger to play 1st base like she was supposed to play it all along. Good job Gaby!