Weird, first we had a blowout game in which we scored massively but nearly collapsed defensively, followed by a tight match in which we couldn't get much going at the plate, but saved ourselves with sufficient defense. Game 2 was a little frustrating, but we got the W. Hey, we're 2-0 and have a four-game winning streak dating back to June! We also now have a slightly-above-.500 lifetime record (we're 4-4-1).
Hitting and scoring felt harder this week, but we went 13-for-30 (.433). We were able to bunch together enough hits (and Grass Kickers misplays) in the fourth inning to make the difference.
Geoff and Sarah led off the fourth with singles. Then I grounded one up the right-middle. The pitcher (or somebody) fielded the ball and threw to first base -- but there was no first baseman there! I ended up with a "kickball double," scoring Geoff. Sarah scored from third when Scott singled and the pitcher tried to throw at her. The throw missed, and Scott moved to second. I scored on Amanda's sacrifice grounder, and Scott scored on Scotty's single.
When things were toughest, our defense saved us. Scotty and Geoff got a pretty good rhythm going as tag-team pitchers, in tribute to the gold-winning U.S. women's relay team. We wasted the Grass Kickers' leadoff double in the first. As pitcher, Scotty made all three putouts in one inning (including an unassisted double play). Mike made two overhead catches in shallow center for the first two outs of the sixth (and final) inning.
Some of our defensive game was frustrating. I think I made no putouts at all at first base, missing 3 good opportunities, for which I will flog myself later. For the second time in two games, a Muskies catcher nearly made an out at the plate, but didn't tag the runner. (Yeah, you have to tag the runner unless the bases are loaded. But that's okay.)
And there were a few bad calls. With Scott on third base and two outs, Patrik was called out for kicking in front of the plate (actually it should have been just strike one). For the umpires' "makeup call," I dropped a popup near the foul line and it got called strike two. Fortunately, everything evened out and it didn't affect the outcome.
Runs: Geoff, Sarah, Simon, Scott.
Singles: Geoff (2), Scott (2), Will (2), Sarah, Simon, Scotty.
Doubles: Sarah, Simon, Scott.
Tee hits: Katie.
Sacrifices: Amanda (2), Amy.
Game winning run/RBI: Simon/Amanda.
Double play: Scotty.
Picked off second: Scotty.
Reserve player/lifesaver of the week: Amanda, who sacrificed herself twice to advance runners, with one RBI. Thanks, Amanda! Also thanks to Amy, who kept us legal despite being under the weather, and had a sacrifice of her own.
Player of the game: Scott, who went 3-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI.
Rookie of the week: Will (2-for-2, 2 singles).
P.S. Everyone gets that "Scott" and "Scotty" are different guys, right?
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