Andy's Coed C Playoffs, North Semi Finals: Pirates grind out a thriller, advance to Championship
Date: Thursday, September 5
Field: Mullen's Park
Time: 7:30P
Weather: Clear, cool
Andy's Coed C, Semis:
(5)Chase This: 10
(1)Dirty Pirates: 12
Despite stumbling and bumbling out of port, the Pirates righted the ship and downed Chase This 12-10 to advance to the Coed C North Championship.
With John C in the circle, a combination of soft Pirate defense and some good luck provided Chase This the impetus to jump out to an early 9 - 3 lead over the first three innings. Notwithstanding a paucity of well struck balls, Chase This seemed to find every hole and virtually steered hits inside the fair line. An ill timed error and poor pitch also led to a 3 run HR in the top of the second to push the game to a 7 - 1 Chase This lead. The Pirates matched 2 additional Chase This runs in the top of the 3rd, but found their ship sinking 9 - 3.
John C went to the bullpen early and brought in Garry S. "We needed a change..." said manager John C, while adding "and something to jolt the team." The move provided just that. The top of the 4th opened on a dubious note when John C had an awful read on a well struck fly ball to RC, but a strong throw to the cutoff limited the damage.
Garry S proceeded to get two quick outs on liners to third and himself and the final out on a just missed HR to left. Garry S succeeded in hanging the Pirates first 0 on Chase This. The Pirates failed to take advantage of the opportunity, however, and the game continued apace into the 5th: 9 - 3.
Although faced with the task of navigating around a 1 out error in the 5th, Garry S turned another quick inning and provided the Pirates with another 0 and opportunity. The Pirates were due to march their male trio to the plate in the bottom of the 5th, and found themselves well poised to take advantage of the break. Justin R started the rally with a laced line drive off the Pitcher's thigh. "It was outside..." said Justin R, "I knew I could crush it..."
Chase This' pitcher quickly recovered from the blow to face John C who walked on 5 pitches. "I'll happily take a BB in that situation...we needed base runners." With a smoldering Pete G on deck, the BB was well timed. Pete G smoked a double and with an E7 assist, plated two. A Dave G grounds rule double plated Pete G for the Pirates final run of the inning.
(1)Dirty Pirates: 12
Despite stumbling and bumbling out of port, the Pirates righted the ship and downed Chase This 12-10 to advance to the Coed C North Championship.
With John C in the circle, a combination of soft Pirate defense and some good luck provided Chase This the impetus to jump out to an early 9 - 3 lead over the first three innings. Notwithstanding a paucity of well struck balls, Chase This seemed to find every hole and virtually steered hits inside the fair line. An ill timed error and poor pitch also led to a 3 run HR in the top of the second to push the game to a 7 - 1 Chase This lead. The Pirates matched 2 additional Chase This runs in the top of the 3rd, but found their ship sinking 9 - 3.
John C went to the bullpen early and brought in Garry S. "We needed a change..." said manager John C, while adding "and something to jolt the team." The move provided just that. The top of the 4th opened on a dubious note when John C had an awful read on a well struck fly ball to RC, but a strong throw to the cutoff limited the damage.
Garry S proceeded to get two quick outs on liners to third and himself and the final out on a just missed HR to left. Garry S succeeded in hanging the Pirates first 0 on Chase This. The Pirates failed to take advantage of the opportunity, however, and the game continued apace into the 5th: 9 - 3.
Although faced with the task of navigating around a 1 out error in the 5th, Garry S turned another quick inning and provided the Pirates with another 0 and opportunity. The Pirates were due to march their male trio to the plate in the bottom of the 5th, and found themselves well poised to take advantage of the break. Justin R started the rally with a laced line drive off the Pitcher's thigh. "It was outside..." said Justin R, "I knew I could crush it..."
Chase This' pitcher quickly recovered from the blow to face John C who walked on 5 pitches. "I'll happily take a BB in that situation...we needed base runners." With a smoldering Pete G on deck, the BB was well timed. Pete G smoked a double and with an E7 assist, plated two. A Dave G grounds rule double plated Pete G for the Pirates final run of the inning.
The game was now 9 - 6 and a formerly raucous Chase This sensed a change in the tide. The Pirates gave up a run in the top of the 6th, but quickly resumed their offensive attack. Garry S and Tabetha Z opened the bottom half with a pair of singles followed by a blistered line drive double off the bat of Justin R. A throwing error by the right center fielder allowed Tabetha Z to score and Justin R to advance to third. The Pirates were now trailing 9 - 8 with John C at the plate.
John C ripped a grounder toward Chase This' 2B who turned her head while trying to flee. Incredibly, the ball jumped up, struck the back of her glove and fell at her feet. Somehow cognizant of the proceedings, she collected herself, picked up the ball and completed the 4 - 3 play. Ever alert, Justin R scored to tie the game 9 - 9.
The Pirate attack continued as Pete G doubled and Lauren D singled to bring Dave G to the plate. On the second pitch of the AB, Dave G launched a 3 run shot into LF. The Pirates now held a 12 - 10 lead with the middle of Chase This lineup due up.
John C ripped a grounder toward Chase This' 2B who turned her head while trying to flee. Incredibly, the ball jumped up, struck the back of her glove and fell at her feet. Somehow cognizant of the proceedings, she collected herself, picked up the ball and completed the 4 - 3 play. Ever alert, Justin R scored to tie the game 9 - 9.
The Pirate attack continued as Pete G doubled and Lauren D singled to bring Dave G to the plate. On the second pitch of the AB, Dave G launched a 3 run shot into LF. The Pirates now held a 12 - 10 lead with the middle of Chase This lineup due up.
Chase This opened the 7th with a single and a fielders choice. Another single and a walk loaded the bases for their male trio. A pop-up behind second was caught by Justin R. "He was the only one who could catch that..." said John C, "It was well placed. Justin ranged far to catch it..." Thinking--or hoping--the ball would fall in, the runner on third broke for home and was doubled up on an appeal at third to end the game.
The Pirates will face the Moose Knuckles in the Championship game on Monday, September 9.
The Pirates will face the Moose Knuckles in the Championship game on Monday, September 9.
