Sept15

The Bruins came up short in their last season game, losing 8-7 to Springfield Christian (we out hit them 8-3 but we gave up 6 walks). This left the Bruins with a 6-6 season record. However the record does not tell the story. The Bruins lost several games by a hair. The Bruins played, however, more like a 9-3 team. But that is for the historians.

The Bruins gave up an early lead, fell behind and stranded two runners in the bottom of the last inning as the Bruins bats fell cold. We also had a tough 2^nd inning. With one out and the bases load, and having the big “M”, pitcher Tyler Casper shot a rocket liner to the CES shortstop. Unfortunately it ended up in the shortstop’s glove. The shortstop tossed to 3^rd to double-up Trey Dhabalt who the coach had sent breaking to home.

The big bat of the day was Tom Newell who went 4-for-4, including a last inning lead off triple that looked like it would spark a come-from-behind Bruins rally. Casper had another good day, going 2-for-4. Dhabalt and David Wasser each added singles to the hit column. Best of all was left fielder Danny Schafer’s screaming RBI single into left field in the 4^th that started the Bruins’ comeback. We finally got that big smile out of Danny!!

Defensively the Bruins again made some headlines. The web gem goes to third baseman Grant Bitzer who, playing like a Scott Rolen, ran head first into the 3^rd base foul line fence making the catch and then turned and nailed the CES runner who was scrambling to get back to 2^nd. Bitzer also made a fine 5-3 cross diamond throw to get the CES lead off batter in the top of the last inning. Second baseman Huddleston also had another good defensive day. In the 6^th he stayed with a hard hit ball, making the play at first for out number 2, and then caught a pop up for out number 3. IN the last inning Huddleston got us out number 2 with a 4-3 put out. Hats off also to shortstop Newell who made nice 6-3 plays in the 2^nd and 3^rd innings. First baseman John Von Behren did his usual fine stretching at first on six plays, and stayed with a grounder in the 2^nd to get the unassisted out. Lastly, we had only one fielding error.

Hats off also to Newell who pitched the 4^th and 5^th inning, striking out 5 of the 7 batters he faced, with the other two batters hitting back to Newell for the other outs.

Hats off also to Wasser who closed out the last two innings, throwing 15 pitches to retire the last 6 CES batters, striking out one and getting the other batters to hit into easy infield outs.

Next game is our first regional game–also against CES–Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Schlitt. See you at the game.