Dateline: FC 2

Rain the previous weekend made it so the team had a long layoff but the Cards looked good during warmups. That was fortuitous as they had their team pictures. Top of the first, first pitch, fastball over the middle, Willie drives it to dead center field where the Rockies outfielder made a great catch for out one. The next two batters went down in order and Curtis strolled to the mound. He got the first batter to hit a drive to Willie at short who made a huge diving stab for out one. Curtis struck out the next two and it 0-0 after one.

Matthew got on via a soft toss infield hit but the next two batters struck out and Isaac popped out to the mound on a soft toss. Bottom of the second, the first batter hit a chopper back to the mound where Curtis set his feet and threw over to Troy at first who made a great catch for out one. The next batter struck out. With two outs the Rockies next batter beat out an infield hit. The next batter was hit by the pitch. The runner on second stole third . With first and third and two outs the next batter hit a grounder between pitcher and third, the ball was thrown past first and then thrown past third and when the dust had cleared, two runs had scored. Coach Grossman held a full infield conference on the mound and this reporter could only guess what was being discussed. Coach Grossman tends to not be so thrilled when the team throws the ball around. The team settled down and Curtis struck out the next batter. After two it was Rockies 2 Cardinals 0.

Top of the third, the Cards retaliated immediately. With two outs, Jack reached on an infield hit of the soft toss. He moved to second on a wild pitch. Ben reached on an infield hit to score Jack. Willie drilled a soft toss back to the mound and Ben scored on the play. Willie stole third and scored as Curtis reached on an infield hit. Michael beat out an infield hit on a soft toss and went to second on an overthrow. Curtis moved to third. Third and second, two outs, Matthew hit a slow roller to the mound and Curtis was just out by a step at the plate as the Rockies made a great play. Coach Grossman went to his deep bullpen and brought in Michael. Michael struck out the side in short order. After three is was Cards 3 Rockies 2.

In the top of the fourth, the Cards went down in order. Bottom of the fourth, Michael gave up an infield hit but the runner tried to stretch it to a double and was gunned down as Michael threw to Troy who applied the tag at second. Cards fans rejoiced. Michael struck out the next two batters. Top of the fifth, the Cards threatened with two outs as Jack lined a single to center off the soft toss. Unfortunately, the Rockies pitcher struck out the next batter. Bottom of the fifth and Willie came to the mound. He quickly struck out three of the four batters he faced.

And so the game moved to the sixth in the cool night air. The Cards picked up some huge insurance runs as Willie led off with an infield hit to the mound. Curtis followed with an infield single. Willie moved to third on an overthrow. Michael grounded out to first but it was a huge RBI as Willie scored. Matthew followed up with a ground out to the mound but it too was a big RBI as Curtis scored. Troy singled to short on a soft toss and moved to second on an overthrow. Troy then went to third on a wild pitch and Nima came up with a big RBI single off a toss to the mound to score Troy. Isaac singled to third on a soft toss and Nima tried to score on the overthrow but he was just out at the plate.

This reporter caught up with Coach Grossman after the game. He said, “Our pithing is really rock solid. Anytime you can go out there and strike out fifteen and make some good plays in the field things are usually going to go well. Our defense is looking better, but I still want more players really focusing on each pitch. I think our hitters should start hitting in a week or two. I am very happy with how this team is coming together and I’m looking forward to practice tomorrow because we are going to focus more on hitting.

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