Post-Season: Game 1 - Tue 6.3 - L

Mid way through the season, the league board decided to do away with the last week of our regular schedule and replace it with a tournament style championship. This was to be a double-elimination tournament to give our Rec Ball girls a taste of what Travel or Tournament Ball was like. It also afforded teams a chance to wipe the slate clean and fight their way to the championship.

Unfortunately for the Whos, we drew the Stingers for our first game. These girls proved to be our toughest opponents all season and they didn't disappoint in that department.

A coin toss decided the home and visiting team. The Whos won the toss and decided to take home. And the game was under way.

FINAL SCORE
Stingers: 15
Whos: 8

RECAP
Shelbey put on a great 1st inning pitching performance to start the game. After walking the 1st batter, another batter hit a pop-up fly ball that Jade managed to get a hold of for the 1st out. The next batter got on base and the runners stole their way to 2nd and 3rd. 3 more walks lead to bases loaded and 2 scores, but Shelbey reeled it back in a peeled of 2 consecutive strike outs to hold the Stingers to 2 on the inning.

The Whos came up to bat to try to catch up to the Stingers early on, but unfortunately the Stinger defense was on fire. Mari struck out, Gaby hit the ball hard towards the Stinger short stop who was able to control the ball and make the play at 1. Kas hit the ball and the Stingers made the play at 1 again to shut the Whos down with nothing on the board.

Shelbey came back in for the 2nd inning, but struggled to find the groove she established at the end of the 1st. After a couple of walks, the bases were loaded. The next batter hit a grounder through the infield for a double. The next batter hit a slow grounder that Mari was able to field, but this pulled her off of 2nd base and with no backup coverage forced a foot race to the bag, but the runner was safe and the Stingers scored again. On the next batter, the bases loaded up again. The next batter hit a ball to Gaby and she was able to get the out at 3rd. And, on a pop up, the ball found a seam and hit the ground allowing the Stingers to score the 4th and final run of the inning.

Jade started off the 2nd inning Who's offense with a big hit to the outfield, but the quick Stinger defense was able to hold her at 1. She then stole her way to 3rd. Angelica walked then stole 2nd. Then Hylah walked to load the bases. Maricella walked putting the Whos on the board for the first time on the day. Shelbey got a base hit that scored our 2nd run of the day and the Stinger pitcher started to struggle. She hit Casey on her next at bat scoring our 3rd run, then Destinee walked scoring the inning limit of 4.

Jade came in to pitch the 3rd inning, but she was struggling to find her way as well. She walked her 1st batter, but quickly struck the next one out. A hit to the outfield put another runner into play then a walk by Jade loaded the bases. Strike out number 2 on the next batter and it looked like we were going to shut the Stingers down, but walks on the next 4 gave them the inning limit and forced the side change.

The Whos taking the plate for the 3rd time in the game trailing by 6. Cambria walked then stole to 3rd. Mari walked then stole 2nd. Gaby hit the ball but, once again, the Stingers were able to beat her to 1st for the out, but Cambria was able to cross the plate on the play. Kas walked then stole to 2nd then Jade walked to load the bases. The Stingers pitcher seemed to struggle but, at this point in the inning, she found her target and was able to strike Angelica and Hylah in quick succession closing out the 3rd inning.

Jade came in to pitch for the 4th. A hit to the outfield went straight to Angelica and with a great effort, Angelica hustled for the ball, fieled it and threw it to Mari at 2nd, but the batter was able to reach the bag before the ball got there. A couple of walks loaded the bases. Then, Jade got the 1st strike out of the inning. A couple of walks scored 2 more for the Stingers and Jade signaled for the switch. Mari came in off of 2nd to replace Jade at the rubber. Her 1st batter hit and was safe at 1 allowing another score, then another base hit brought another Stinger across the plate. Mari, finally found her focus and shut the Stingers down with 2 back to back strike outs.

Coming into our last at bats, the Whos knew that catching up would be tough against this team. Maricella walked then on a steal was thrown out at 2nd base. Shelbey walked and Casey walked right after. Destinee walked to load the bases, then Cambria came up to bat. Cambria struck out for the 2nd of the inning and the door started to close on the Whos. Mari walked on her next at bat. Then, Gaby, out of the blue got a big hit to the outfield and 3 Whos were able to score. Kas came up to bat, but the pitcher was able to gei 3 past her to close out the game.

GAME BALL
There were a couple of high points during this game that warranted a nomination for the game ball. Angelica really finally showed some hustle and some game awareness when she went for the out attempt at 2nd. Mari, once again, cleaned up with her pitching in the 3rd inning. Jade hit a nice one to the outfield and Hylah continued to hold down the fort at catcher. But, the game ball for this game was awarded to Gaby for her 'out of nowhere' hit in the 4th that drove in 2 runs that created some excitement at the end of the game. Good job Gaby!