Last week and throughout the practice games, Team Orange was the Smashing Pumpkins on offense, but played defense like we were all Orange globs.
Today we had some good signs - our defense was greatly improved, holding the monster Royal lineup to 17 is a feat in itself. We played from behind the whole game but it was 3-2 through one, 9-8 through five, and 12-9 through six. We lapsed in the seventh and Royal took advantage to post the only five spot in the game. We heroically held them scoreless in the ninth, and had hopes for a miracle home ninth. But a badly timed double play put us behind the eight ball and we could only muster two runs, and lost 17-12.
Several Orange defensive highlights: Greg Wilson made a diving, tumbling catch in right center to rob the batter of a hit, probably extra bases. Mike Saindon made two diving stops on drilled one hoppers at the hot corner for outs. Brian Black's pitching was actually lights out, and his highlight was a strike three looking on a very good hitter. He also ran down a potential gapper when he went to the outfield. Steve Sloat and Bob Carver made great stops up the middle on a liner and a one hop smash, respectively. The first baseman nearly made a circus catch on a little bloop over his head, but even when he dropped it he managed to get a force out at second.
We had our issues on offense, hitting a lot of grounders right at the Royal infielders. But give Doug Uchikura and his brain trust credit - they were in good position on a lot of our hitters.
There were a few good hits. Art Oller led the way with three line drive hits, and he was joined by Vince Franceschi and Bob Carver. Kevin Hopkins had the best hit - an opposite field double over the left fielder's head. Mark Edlestone also burned the left fielder for a leadoff triple in the fourth.
One of these weeks we will put it all together and then watch out for the Smashing Pumpkins!
