Different Strokes

In a game marked by key contributions, Kapsch prevailed over another team of youngsters for the second time in a row, 16-12 over the East Bay Long Strokers.

We didn't hit all that well, team average was only .419. But we got the key hits when we needed them and took advantage of everything the Strokers handed us.

It started out with a 10 run first as we batted around plus two. It was a bunch of singles and three walks including two with the bases full that fueled the rally. DJ finished it off with a two run triple for the only extra base hit of the inning. DJ was one of the key contributors - he added two doubles including a two out clutch hit in the last rally that put the game on ice. 

After the 10-0 lead, as we are want to do, we relaxed too much, and didn't score again until the fifth. In the mean time, there were some stellar defensive plays. Cage made one of his best catches ever, going to the fence in dead center, catching a deep shot after being twisted around twice by the swirling wind. Pauly followed that up with a great stop at third and when his throw pulled Bert off the bag at first, he made one of the quickest swipe tags I have ever seen.

In the second and third DJ made two stops backhanded in the 5-6 hole, and Monty made a great catch of a pop up behind the plate. In the fourth, Cage tossed home one of his patented long throws, and Monty made a nice pickup of the one hop laser to keep the runner from scoring. Tom followed that up with a strikeout to end the inning.

The last two plays were vital because the Strokers were in the middle of a rally that netted eight runs to take an 11-10 lead. We had blown another big lead, but this time it was different. In the next frame, after a one out single by Cage, Mr. Big Moment Bert put the ball in the trees in left and we had the lead back.

And then Big D came riding in on his white horse to the mound in the bottom of the fifth. He not only cooled down the Strokers, he shut them down completely. In the top of the sixth, the bottom of the order kicked in, and set the stage for a huge add on inning. Tom walked, Heffe followed suit, and Monty hit a blooper to shallow left. Once again DJ came through, and brought home two with his second double. Hama followed with a grounder to second but when the baseman airmailed the throw another two came in, and we had the insurance we needed. There were only two minutes left and even though D had some trouble in the bottom half, the Strokers could only manage one more run and fell short.

DJ led the team with the three extra base hits, and four RBIs. Tom gets the win and Big D the save. It was a good win.

Milestones:

Pauly         300 r (#8)

Rusty         20 2b (#23)