As they have done frequently lately, Big Blue started fast, scoring four runs in the first inning. Blue has now scored 31 first-inning runs this fall, and has scored at least two runs in the first frame in every game except one. To put those 31 runs into context, consider that in eight games, opponents have scored a grand total of 20 runs in all games combined. After the second tournament this summer, Coach Sean talked to the team about being prepared to play from the very beginning of the game. That was a struggle in a couple of the early tournaments. It's safe to say that lesson has been learned.
The 10-2 win over the Blue Sox wasn't all about offense, however. Big Blue also played a completely error-free game, the first such game this fall. In fact, it was the first error-free game since the July 5 win over Wayne County, and just the second completely error-free game out of the 30 this group has played together in the summer and fall. And they did it in a full six-inning game not shortened by the run rule, and against a Blue Sox team that was putting the ball in play--they had just one strikeout in the game.
The victory gave Big Blue a second straight weekend championship and meant it was time for Coach Kevin's favorite part of the day: pictures.
Note the trophies on the ground serving as placeholders for Ben and Trey, who were playing in a West Raleigh tournament game.
Good luck to everyone playing in West Raleigh postseason games this week, and we will see you at practice on Tuesday at Ephesus at 4:30. As it starts to get darker, we will need to give 9U the field a little earlier, so keep in mind that practice could end as early as 5:45 (which means we need to try especially hard to start at 4:30).
Game 2 Big Blue scoring plays
First inning
Big Blue jumped on top early. With one out, JT crushed a double to left. Gavin reached on a grounder to shortstop that was too hot to handle, and JT came all the way around to score. At around that same point, Chace was just stepping into the phone booth to change out of his church clothes. He sauntered to the plate with both shoes untied, no warm-up swings and his jersey just barely buttoned. So you know what happened: he doubled to left, driving in Gavin. Jake followed with a single that put runners at the corners, and then Mason and Joey had back-to-back RBI singles.
Score after one inning: Big Blue 4, Blue Sox 0
Second inning
As usual, Asher had to provide all the power while everyone else was hitting little infield singles, so he led off with a double to right-center, advanced to third on Bryce's fielder's choice, and then scored on Gavin's fielder's choice.
Score after two innings: Big Blue 5, Blue Sox 0
Third inning
Joey reached on a one-out fielder's choice, then advanced all the way to third on Elias's grounder. That put him in position to score on Timmy's RBI grounder to short.
Score after three innings: Big Blue 6, Blue Sox 0
Fourth inning
For the second time in the game, Big Blue sent nine batters to the plate. It started with the leadoff man, Bryce, who singled up the middle. As part of his five-hit day, JT had a single that moved Bryce to second, and then a fielder's choice put runners at the corners. Chace's double to left scored a pair. Jake's line drive to left allowed Chace to score and sent Jake to second. Mason's grounder was misplayed, scoring Jake and plating the last Big Blue run of the day.
Score after four innings: Big Blue 10, Blue Sox 1
Game 2 Web Gems
- Elias made a hard-hit fly ball look easy in the second, setting under it in left field for the second out.
- Bryce showed a ton of range against the leadoff man in the third inning. The ball was grounded back through the middle, and Bryce sprinted far to his right from his second base position, fielded the ball, then made a strong and lengthy throw to first to retire the hitter.
- Moved into the outfield in the fourth inning, Bryce went down to one knee to gather a sinking line drive to end the frame and strand two Blue Sox runners.
- Playing with just 10 players, with everyone playing multiple positions, Big Blue got terrific defense up and down the lineup. Even the grouchy old scorekeeper couldn't find a way to charge anyone with an error, meaning Big Blue played its first completely error-free game of the fall.
| Game 2 line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| Blue Sox | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Big Blue | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | X | 10 | 15 |
