Dateline: Fox Mill 1
On a pleasant fall evening the Royals continued their home stand in a game against the Pirates. Robbie led off the game on the mound by inducing the first batter to fly out to Eric at third for out one. A single was followed by a nice play on a hard shot to Nihal who calmly flipped to Alex for out two. A single scored the run, but Robbie settled down to strikeout the next batter for out three. Eric led off for the Royals in the bottom of the first with a walk. Matt singled and Alec walked to load the bases. Robbie hit a big single to score Eric. Alec was then caught stealing third for out one. The Pirates pitcher settled down and got the rest of the Royals. After one it was all tied at one run for each team.
In the second, two errors and a walk and a double resulted in two runs. Robbie settled down to end the inning. The Royals went down quietly and after two it was Pirates 3 Royals 1.
Jake came on in the third and he threw strikes but two singles and four errors resulted in six runs for the Pirates. This reporter sees no reason to get into the details. The Royals battled right back with a single by Nihal but he was thrown out trying to steal second for out one. Danny walked, Ryan walked and Eric came through with a huge single to score Danny and Ryan. Matt singled to score Eric. Alec reached on an error and advanced to second and third on wild pitches but he was out at home trying to score on a wild pitch. After three it was Pirates 9 Royals 5.
Matt came on in the fourth and, after an error struck out the next batter. Another error and a single scored a run. Matt blasted two quick strikeouts to end the inning with three strikeouts. The Royals hung in there with a leadoff walk to Jake, and a huge single to Cam. A wild pitch put runners on first and third. The Royals tried a double steal — a crafty call by Coach Goldstein and Jake scored, but Cam was gunned down at second. Spensor was hit by a pitch but the Pirates pitch settled down and end the inning on a ground out back to the mound. After four it was Pirates 10 Royals 6.
Eric came in to pitch the fifth and it was business as usual — blistering heat. It took three errors to get a run across and Eric settled down to blast three strikeouts. Royals bats were quiet in the fifth and sixth, but we note that Eric picked up three more strikeouts in the sixth. Final score: Pirates 11 Royals 6.
Coach Goldstein said, “We had way too many errors in the field today. Our pitching looked fine and our offense was still a little weak, but we clearly have to tighten up our defense. It wouldn’t surprise me if we fix it and play a nearly flawless defensive game on Thursday against those Great Falls Red Sox. We’ll be ready for them.” Coach Grossman, again on a scouting trip for Spring talent said, “I know we’re off to a slow start, but I still believe in this team and I predict a big margin of victory on Thursday against a solid Great Falls team. Our team is still coming together, but with our strong pitching, I think we’ll be having a very pleasant fall. We’ve been using four pitchers a game, and I’m hoping to develop some new pitchers, see our defense improve and our offense is looking better each game. “
