Game 1 – Humphries Nation split – Boys 1 win, Girls 1 loss

Game 1 of the City Tournament is in the bag and we’re on both sides of the brackets.  Clay’s China Spring Dodgers, who haven’t lost a game yet, pulled out a nail biter by rallying in the final two innings to win 9-8 against the second place team from Midway, a local little league powerhouse community.  Juliane’s China Spring Blue Crush lost a hard fought battle against the Lacy Lakeview first place team 8-10, even though Jude just finished 2nd grade and most her team is in 3rd or 4th, while the other team was stacked with 5th graders.

Clay’s team went back and fourth all night until a 4th inning that mixed some hits into every gap and some untimely errors and we found ourselves giving up a 2 run lead and being down 8-4 going into our at-bat.  With one out and nobody on, Clay hit to the shortstop but beat out the throw to first base!  The next batter hit again to the shortstop but Clay’s slide into second broke up a potential double play.  The next two batters walked loading the bases while our best hitter came to bat and hit a triple after he scored we were tied 8-8!

The next inning Clay got up again with a runner on first and two outs, score still tied 8-8, and hit back to the pitcher who fumbled the ball allowing Clay to get safely on.  With two out and bases loaded again our top player got up and hit a weak ground ball to the second baseman who didn’t field it cleanly and ended up letting the ball go through his legs allowing the winning run to score!

Clay went 3 for 3, and made some nice defensive plays out in center field.  His highlight came during his first at bat after hitting a solid base hit into left field, he stole second on the next pitch.  He was given the steal sign with the batter being told to bunt, which didn’t take place.  Clay was half way to third when the ball got there and ended up in a run down between third and second, we all thought he was the second out until the shortstop wouldn’t get out of his way and Clay almost tackled him trying to get to third.  Interference was called and Clay was allowed to advance to third safely.  The next pitch our batter finally laid down a perfect bunt allowing Clay to score.  Even though the sequence took months off my life through 45 seconds of intense anxiety , I might have gotten them back through pure pride and joy!

I had to miss Juliane’s game due to scheduling.  She played at the same time but in a different city.  I was updated throughout the game by Mariah, who you can check out her post and hear her account from a first observer point of view.  Juliane is the youngest on her team, and a full grade behind all her teammates.  Translated, our second grader was playing against 5th graders!

Juliane got a hit and after stealing second and third scored on a base hit from our catcher.  She was thrown out at first after a solid hit her only other time up to bat.  Her team lost 8-10, but only due to a three run home run by one of the 5th graders from Lacey Lakeview.  Mariah said Juliane played a great game in center field, where she fielded several big hits and actually threw a girl out at second!  She has shocked me this year after starting off not knowing how to really throw the ball straight or being strong enough to get the ball to you in the air.  I’m very proud of her, and look forward to seeing her play on Wednesday Night, even though its in the loser’s bracket of the tournament.

Little League end of the season drama, you got to love it!