Jun 28, 2017 | estevens | 452 views
Season's Best Game Comes Against the Cardinals
The Diamondbacks went the distance against one of the division's elite teams in St. Thomas on Tuesday.
The boys seem to have figured out two critical elements to an effective game; being enthusiastic for the duration regardless of the score, and being much more aggressive against pitchers who throw strikes. The Diamondbacks scored first, as Richardson's single scored Arnold, who had singled earlier in the inning, and advanced to 2nd on Pettit's single. The bottom half would see the Dorchester team allow 5 runs, but the Diamondbacks held strong in the 2nd on the defensive side, including to strikeouts delivered by Stevens on the hill. Although the visitors were also shut out in the 2nd (Zeleznik and Stevens singled, however), the 3rd inning was a different story. Box led off with a HBP, and then stole second, with a well-timed, speedy run to beat the tag. Tubman (player of the game) then launched a monster hit over the left-fielder (opposite field) to score Box from 2nd. Arnold singled on a ground ball to the left side, freezing Tubman on second. Pettit then found some green space with a blooper, advancing all runners. With bases loaded, Richardson hit the ball well toward first, but the liner was caught, and The Cardinals' doubled off Pettit at first. Just bad luck! But the rally was not over, as Mercer, Stevens, and McMillan delivered 3 consecutive singles. The game went back and forth from there, as Pettit was super in relief on the mound as well. Wallace and McMillan did a fine job covering in right and left field. Mercer made two spectacular plays at 3rd base, with the infield in, in the bottom of the final frame. Stevens, Tubman and Arnold added other excellent plays on defense.
Tubman is player of the game with a double, 3 runs scored, a fine play at 2nd base, and excellent outfield coverage!
Way to go boys, in the season's best game so far!
Next week, the boys play Strathroy and North London.
GAME SIDE NOTE: Wallace earned player of the game on Saturday afternoon by being the first player to run on third strike in the dirt, without being coached to do so. He repeated that in the game against the Cardinals last night! Well done, Isaiah!