Playoff Game vs. Methacton Glory 6/6/2009 (L 12-2)

In every sport, professional or otherwise, there is always one team that, regardless of their respective records and for unknown reasons, gives the other team fits.

This season, Methacton Glory was that team for us.  We played them three times and all three times they handled us quite easily.  So, of course, we draw them for our first game the playoffs.

However, there is no one -- and I mean no one – who will ever convince me that they are that much better a team than we are.  I don’t believe that to be true and never will.  It’s just one of those things.

It’s unfortunate that the weather reduced the playoffs to a single elimination tournament instead of double elimination as was originally intended.  We would still have had a shot.

Kudos to:

• Jess, game ball, in her last game, walked twice and pitched the entire game (after a long layoff).
• Rachel W., walked twice.
• Katie J., had two of our four hits.

Mr. T.

Game vs. Upper Merion Bandits 5/21/2009 (T 11-11)

This game was a good old fashioned shoot out!

The team showed great heart in this game.  After getting behind early in the game, you kept coming back, and even took a 10-6 lead into the bottom of the fifth.  Unfortunately, we were hit were OBIS (One Bad Inning Syndrome) at that moment.

But once again, the team showed heart.  Knowing that the sixth inning was going to be the last, you squeezed out one run to tie the game, then held off the opponents when they were threatening to win the game outright.

A tie game may not be the best result, but there were many good things to take from this game.

Kudos to:

• Emily, game ball, for her determination and for hitting a wicked line drive that had the misfortune to be hit right at someone.
• Katie S., game ball, for a hit, two walks, and two runs scored; fulfilling her pre-game prophecy to do well.
• Ali, for a double that came oh so close to being a homerun (it hit the top of the fence and bounced back onto the field).
• Katie J., had three hits.

Mr. T.

Game vs. Methacton Glory 5/19/2009 (L 14-6)

This game was not nearly as bad as the final score would make one think.  After three innings we were only behind 5-4, which is great considering how shorthanded we were (only eight players).  Everyone played hard and didn’t give up, kept trying right until the end.

Kudos to:

• Ali, game ball, had two triples, two walks, one hit-by-pitch (took one in the head for the team) and scored three of our runs.
• Katie J., had a double, and did a great job as our emergency pitcher.
• Emily, showed great patience at-bat, got a walk with the bases loaded to get a run batted in.
• The Team, once again, for their effort.

And finally, special kudos to:

• Maggie, through no fault of her own, will not be able to play with us any more.  Maggie, thanks for all the great years you’ve played in ARA – we’ll miss you!

Mr. T.

Tournament Game vs. ARA Xplosion 5/9/2009 3 PM (L 7-5)

It’s always fun to play our fellow ARA team; not as much fun when we lose to them, however. :)

This was a close game from beginning to end.  The difference was that our opponents made plays in the field when they had to and got hits when they had to.  That simple.  Plus, we were taken out of a rally by an obscure call by the umpire; however, we don’t blame other when we lose.

I am not convinced that they are a better team than we are.

Kudos to:

• Katie J., game ball, had two runs batted in, two hits, including a home run!
• Ali, had two hits.

Mr. T.

Tournament Game vs. Methacton Glory 5/9/2009 1 PM (L 9-3)

This is the second time in three days we played this team.  Once again we were bushwhacked; the outhit us 16 to three.  We did have some chances in this game, as they made double the number of errors that we did (six to three); but they took better advantage then we did.

Having said that, we were still in this game.  We will have more chances at them; if we can hit just a little better and minimize our errors, we can definitely beat them!

Kudos to:

• Shannon, game ball, made a really good catch of a fly ball to left field, saving several runs.
• The Team, for their effort; this was not a problem in this game.

Mr. T.

Tournament Game vs. East Norriton 5/9/2009 9 AM (W 15-4)

We did what we had to do in this game – scored early and often against a less experienced opponent and didn’t let up.

Kudos to:

• Maggie, game ball, pitched three good innings and laid down a well place bunt for a hit.
• Ali, scored two runs, two hits, and two runs batted in.
• Brianna, scored two runs and two runs batted in.
• Dillan, scored two runs.
• Kelsey, pitched two innings and retired all six batters she faced.
• The Team, for showing great patience batting (we had 11 walks!).

I don’t remember ever doing this before, kudos to an opposing player:

• Brianna, was hit square in the nose by a thrown ball at close range, but came back into the game to pitch the very next inning!

Mr. T.

Game vs. Methacton Glory 5/7/2009 (L 12-3)

Well, we (including the coaches) had trouble from the beginning in this one.  Because of the confusion about whether or not the game was being played or not, I don’t think we were 100% in the game mentally – we didn’t hit as well as usual and made too many errors.

That being said, we must give credit to our opponents – the hit the ball very well and played sound defense.

Kudos to:

• MaryGrace, game ball, made a nice catch that kept the game going, instead of ending via the 10-run rule.

Actually, even though we were outhit nine to three, without errors, we were competitive.  We tighten up the defense, we’ll be a tough team to beat.

Mr. T.