As the Whos reported to the field to play their last game of the regulation 2008 season, there was a chill in the air to match the chilly Saturday morning. We gathered in the Home dugout and got our game plan together and started warming up the girls to play. As we looked over to the Raiderettes side of the field, they were surprisingly short of players. We thought that we would win the game on a forfeit, but at the last minute, the Raiderettes were able to field their 7th player to meet the league minimum and the game was started.
To start things off, this game was a defensive showcase as no runs were allowed until the game's midpoint. This also marked the first time the Whos went into a 5th inning in a game.
FINAL SCORE
Raiderettes: 6
Whos: 0
RECAP
To start things off, Shelbey put on a strong performance at pitcher to quickly shut the Raiderettes first attempt to score. We haven't seen this strong of a pitching show from Shelbey for a couple of games, but it was definitely a welcome addition to our arsenal for the game. Shelbey made quick work of the first 2 Raiderette batters, then, with a spectacular backhand grab by Gaby on a grounder down the 1st base side saw her get the out at 1st to hold the Raiderettes scoreless for the inning.
Unfortunately, the Whos weren't able to capitalize on the opportunity as the bats hadn't quite warmed up yet. Mari struck out, then Gaby and Kas followed that up with walks and stole their way to scoring position. Jade came to bat threatening to bring the runners in, but in uncharacteristic fashion, struck out. Angelica followed that up with another strike out to close the first inning off for the Whos, keeping the game even.
Moving into the 2nd, Shelbey returned and the Raiderettes were ready. The 1st batter hit one into the outfield to earn 2nd, then stole 3rd. Shelbey walked the next batter, but started to find her groove again and struck out batter 3. She walked the next batter to load the bases, but shut the door on the Raiderettes with back to back strike outs, holding them scoreless for the 2nd straight inning.
The Raiderettes gave as good as they got as they took to the field. The pitcher struck Hylah out, then followed it up with a strike out on Destinee. There was a glimmer of hope as Shelbey got a hit on her next at bat. Unfortunately, she popped it up and the Raiderettes were able to get a hand on it for the third out, keeping the Whos and the game scoreless through 2.
Next up at pitcher was Jade. She's been struggling of late at the rubber. Unfortunately, the Raiderettes offense decided to come alive at this point in the game, which allowed them to take the lead and get on the board for the first time on the day. After the 1st and 2nd batters walked, the Raiderettes were able to connect on a pitch and send it to right field for a double, scoring 1. The next batter walked to load the bases, then Jade answered with a strike out. The next batter grounded a ball through the infield that got by Angelica, but she managed to get the ball back to Gaby at 3rd to get the out. However, the action got another 2 Raiderettes across the plate. The next batter hit one into the infield on the 1st base side, which allowed another runner to score to force the side-switch.
The Whos, taking their at bats now had a sense of urgency to match the Raiderette onslaught, but the Raiderettes had different ideas as their pitcher made quick work of the Whos in the 3rd. Casey walked to get on base and diligently worked her way around to 3rd and loaded up to make the dash home. Cambria and Mari both struck out on their next turns, then Gaby connected with the ball. But this one popped up again and Gaby was caught out, which held the Whos at 0.
Jade took her 2nd turn at the rubber and, once again the switch strategy was in place, but with better pitching and better defensive play on the Whos side, we didn't have to use it. But the Raiderette offense was now in full effect. The first batter drove a grounder straight into Jade's glove and she quickly sent it to Gaby at 1st for the out. The next batter got on base as a similar toss was barely missed by Gaby on the next hit. The next grounder was fielded by Kas, but the toss to Mari at 2nd was missed allowing the runners to gain 2nd and 3rd. The next batter hit one out to the outfield, driving the 2 runners home. Jade, reeling it back in struck out the next batter. A base hit put runners on 1st and 2nd and on the next hit, the Whos were able to gather their defense together to get the out at 3rd, holding the Raiderettes to 2 on the inning.
Again, with the urgency to score, the Whos took their at bats, but were denied by the Raiderette defense. Kas was struck out to lead things off. Then, Jade was thrown out at 1st after her hit took a bad bounce to the pitcher, who then quickly threw it to 1st to make the play. Angelica walked, then stole 2nd. But the pitcher was able to get 3 by Hylah to close the 4th.
Mari took over at pitcher for the unprecedented (for the Whos) 5th inning of the game. She did not disappoint as she put in another incredible pitching performance. The first batter, hit through to Kas at short and the throw to 1st was missed, but the runner held. On the next pitch, the runner stole 2nd. Unfazed, Mari reached deep to strike out the next 3 batters in a row. Mari has very obviously worked on her pitching and her overall gameplay has seen a huge improvement over the season. Keep at it Mari. Great work!
Taking their final turn at bat - and the final chance to get on the board - the Whos knew it was now or never. The Raiderette pitcher blew 3 by Destinee to strike her out. Shelbey, then hit one down the 3rd base line, getting on base, then Casey walked to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Cambria struck out for the 2nd in the inning and it started to look bad for the Whos. Mari walked to load the bases. Last chance at bat for Gaby and the game was on her shoulders. She tried her hardest to connect, but the pitcher managed to put it just out of reach every time striking Gaby out to shut the Whos out for the first time in the season.
GAME BALL
The game ball for this game went to Hylah who played the pivotal but largely unsung position at catcher. Hylah has become one of the more aggressive and intimidating catchers in the league. I've overheard players say that they are scared of her and heard opposing coaches comment on her play. In today's game, Hylah did incredibly by holding the Raiderettes on their bases, which was a key factor to the game going scoreless for the 1st 2 innings. In the 3rd, she also called the bunts to prepare the Who defense for the play. So, for this, the game ball goes to Hylah. Great work, keep it up!
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