It's been a tough transition year for the Crows. Nineteen players have taken the field. But the core has hung in there, despite being outplayed by at least two of the teams.
Today, it was another game against the Outlaws, the team put together by Tony Camillo to "save" the league. Basically, kind of an all-star team of the Hayward league. The last of our three losses to them was by the score of 28-3.
It seemed like more of the same for the first four innings. Only a highlight catch by Clay LeChe in deep left center in the third inning kept the Outlaws under five, and good defense at the end of the next inning kept them again stuck them without scoring that fifth run.
But, in the meantime, the Crows seemed to sleep at the plate again. Only a two run bomb by LeChe in the second made it onto the scoreboard for the Crows. Through six, we were sharply listing on the short end of a 9-2 pitchers' duel. Kudos to pitchers Chili Hernandez and Brian Black for keeping the Outlaws' bombers in the park; most of their runs were unearned.
And so, we came to the top of the seventh down seven. With one on and one out and one in, Lamont Thompson went deep and lumbered around the bases. Dave Balfour made it back to back when he found a gap. LeChe followed with another blast but he was either still tired from his early antics, or he knew he needed to stop at third to give him the chance for the cycle; you pick. but then, a walk to Aram Boyd, and consecutive hits by Mark Childress, Merrill Leach, Don Devencenzi, and Heffe, and we were tied!
Unfortunately, the Outlaws followed with a five spot of their own. Even though we did not cut into the lead in the eighth, we held them scoreless as well; a nice play by Thompson to get a force at second helped immensely.
In the open ninth, Thompson started us off with a single, and after a force out, LeChe got his double to complete the cycle. Boyd brought in one with a single and Childress hit our fourth HR of the game to score three and bring us within one run. Devencenzi and Heffe singled to put the tying and lead runs on, but we just couldn't push them across.
It was a valiant comeback, and almost felt like we won, just to know we can play with these guys. Now we need to take the next step next time we play - score early to put pressure on the opposition, instead of waiting until the seventh inning.
Hernandez joined LeChe with four hits, and LT, Devencenzi and Heffe knocked out three. Childress led the team with four RBIs.
Lumbered!!!!
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