Dateline: Fox Mill 1

It was another warm, sunny, beautiful Spring evening at Fox Mill as the Indians started a home stand against the Twins. The Twins were flying high after a big win over the league leading Whte Sox. Charles went to the mound and looked sharp. After three singles, he settled down to strike out the cleanup man. Another single scored a run and a wild pitch scored another run. Charles blasted a few quick strikes by the next batter for out two and then he got the last batter to hit a popup behind the mound that Nikhil raced in and made a huge shoestring catch to end the Twins half of the first. The Indians rallied immediately. Brendan singled, Charles walked and Christian T. singled to load the bases. Will singled to score Brendan and Charles. Wild pitches scored Christian T. and Will so after one it was Indians 4 Twins 2.

In the second Charles threw nothing but hard, low strikes. The first batter grounded back to the mound for an easy out at first for out one. The next batter struck out quickly and, after a weak infield hit, Charles settled down and struck out the last batter. Indians bats were quiet as the new Twins pitcher had his best game of the year. After two it was still Indians 4 Twins 2.

Brendan came on in the third and he gave up a shot past first that Connor almost got to — great play by Connor to get a glove on the blast down the line. A walk and single loaded the bases. A couple of wild pitches scored two runs to tie the game and then Brendan settled down to strike out the next batter to end the inning. In the bottom of the third, Chad walked and Brendan hit a sharp grounder to short who flipped to second — and the second baseman dropped it as he was late to get to the bag. Unfortunately, the Twins pitcher settled down and ended the inning on some good pitching. After three it was all tied up at four a piece.

Brendan continued on the mound in the fourth and he struck out the first batter. An infield hit, a wild pitch and a bloop single to right scored a run. The next batter popped up to the mound and Brendan made a great catch for out two. Two wild pitches put the runner on third. Twins coaches got aggressive and attempted a foolhardy steal of home. Brendan calmly flipped to Connor at the plate who applied a perfect tag for out three. Indians fans rejoiced, but were a little nervous as the Twins had taken the lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Christian led off with a shot to right and he stole second immediately as the pitcher wasn’t paying attention and it was a huge heads up play by Christian T. A wild pitch put Christian T. on third. Will hit a high popup behind second. The shortstop made the catch and Coach Grossman sent Christian T. home after he tagged up. The throw came in to the catcher and …sailed over the catchers head and the game was tied. Indians fans breathed a sigh of relief. Connor drilled a single, Bryon walked, but unfortunately the Indians couldn’t bring them home. After four it was Indians 5 Twins 5.

Will came on in the fifth and looked great. The first batter hit a long fly ball that Nicholas drifted over and caught for out one. The next batter was hit by a pitch and a single to left put runners on first and second with one out. The next batter hit a sharp grounder to Christian T. at first who made a nice play racing to the bag for out two. Will settled down and struck out the last batter on three pitches. Indians bats were quiet in the bottom of the fifth and the score was still tied five all as we went to the last inning.

It turned out to be no big deal as Will struck out the first batter and after a single, he struck out the next batter. Then, the third batter in the lineup drilled a hard shot a few feet to the right of second. Bryon the shortstop made a phenomenal play as he got to the ball and from the ground flipped to Charles who was alertly covering second for out three. The Indians were now just a run away from a win with the top of the order coming up. Indians fans were not to be disappointed. Brendan walked with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. Then, with two outs, Christian T. walked confidently to the plate after he had already gotten two hits on the day. He took a ball high and on a one ball and no strike count he smashed a hard single to center. Brendan came tearing around third and headed for home. The throw came in to the pitcher and the pitcher turned to throw ………only to see Brendan crossing the plate for the winning run. Indians fans rejoiced. Final Score: Indians 6 Twins 5.

Coach Grossman said, “That was a thriller. The Twins are playing very good baseball now and they are not an easy team to play. Our pitching was remarkable today as we only walked four batters all day. That puts a lot of pressure on the other team. Coach Goldstein said, “What a great play Brendan and Connor made at home and our key defensive plays at home, on the fly to left, and the shot to short were huge for us today. Also, Will has really come along as a very consistent closer. Finally, hats off to Christian T. for his big day at the plate — three for three with a game winning RBI!!”

The Indians play the league leading White Sox in a huge game next Wednesday. A few tickets remain.

css.php
Share This