- Feb 3, 2011
- 1,880
- 48
During Saturday pool play, our team managed to defeat a tough opponent 8-0 in 5 innings.
On Sunday, the same 2 teams squared off in a semifinal. The opponent's young ace pitched a gem, holding our typically solid offense scoreless for 4 innings, while her team scratched out a run in each of the 1st 3 innings to give her a 3-0 lead to work with. In the top of the 5th, we put together a couple of runs and now had a real ball game heading into the 6th and possibly decisive inning. In the top of the 6th, a leadoff single looked like the start of another rally, but we were unable to get the tying run home and there were only 5 minutes left on the clock. It seemed like our last best chance had faded, but there was an outside shot at getting to the 7th.
We recorded 2 quick outs before the 3rd batter of the inning drew a 6-pitch walk. If the next batter stood there and took 3 straight pitches, the game would end and her team would be victorious. But she didn't take. She was up there to hit. She popped the 1st pitch up to our SS. There were 45 seconds left on the clock.
With our players breathing new life, their bats finally woke up and our girls plated 6 in the top of the 7th. The other team rallied with 3 of their own in the home half, but fell short in the end, allowing our team to advance to the final.
The opposing coach demonstrated great confidence in his team and, by playing the game straight, put his players in a position that simply cannot be replicated in practice - having to hold a 7th-inning lead when playing late on Sunday. Our team gained valuable experience as well. You can't ever give up just because a pitcher is having a great day against you.
We know we'll see this team again in the months to come, but it's always refreshing to see small displays of integrity in sports, especially when it comes to the examples we're all setting for our children.
On Sunday, the same 2 teams squared off in a semifinal. The opponent's young ace pitched a gem, holding our typically solid offense scoreless for 4 innings, while her team scratched out a run in each of the 1st 3 innings to give her a 3-0 lead to work with. In the top of the 5th, we put together a couple of runs and now had a real ball game heading into the 6th and possibly decisive inning. In the top of the 6th, a leadoff single looked like the start of another rally, but we were unable to get the tying run home and there were only 5 minutes left on the clock. It seemed like our last best chance had faded, but there was an outside shot at getting to the 7th.
We recorded 2 quick outs before the 3rd batter of the inning drew a 6-pitch walk. If the next batter stood there and took 3 straight pitches, the game would end and her team would be victorious. But she didn't take. She was up there to hit. She popped the 1st pitch up to our SS. There were 45 seconds left on the clock.
With our players breathing new life, their bats finally woke up and our girls plated 6 in the top of the 7th. The other team rallied with 3 of their own in the home half, but fell short in the end, allowing our team to advance to the final.
The opposing coach demonstrated great confidence in his team and, by playing the game straight, put his players in a position that simply cannot be replicated in practice - having to hold a 7th-inning lead when playing late on Sunday. Our team gained valuable experience as well. You can't ever give up just because a pitcher is having a great day against you.
We know we'll see this team again in the months to come, but it's always refreshing to see small displays of integrity in sports, especially when it comes to the examples we're all setting for our children.