Thursday, April 30

Willows and SBS make like Newlyweds and Tie the Knot

Wilkinson Park – If a tie is like kissing your sister, then Willows and SBS’ sisters are running for cover this evening after the two teams played to a 4-4 draw.  With weather more appropriate for wicked witches and flying monkeys, new players stepped into roles previously filled by last year’s twelve year olds and provided an action-packed game with a little something for all.

            Thomas Hodgkins first appearance as a pitcher started with a bang as he retired three of four batters without allowing a hit.  Not to be undone, Tucker Carter threw strikes and Willows showed better defense than Perry Mason.  While J-Vick reached on an excuse me “hit” – ducking under a pitch that ended up striking his bat, he received the “karma” award when he was gunned down at second on a perfect throw-and-catch by Kam H. and Griffin H.  Chris Mitchell roped a triple to right-center but his stay at third was shorter than a Maine summer when Kam H. pounced on a wild pitch and beat Mitchell to the plate.  Rookie Daniel O. finished off SBS as he snagged Andrew Roberts hard grounder to third and made and accurate throw to first.

            The second saw Michael Joys reach on a fielder’s choice as Mike Kilmartin cut down the lead runner at second.  Joys then advanced on newbie Riley Hasson’s single.  Both players pulled a Daughtry and went home as Aaron Radziucz sent an RBI double to center.  Despite two more strike outs for Hodgkins, SBS faced a two run deficit.  Carter kept “Mother Mo” on Willows’ side as he retired the SBS batters 1-2-3 in the bottom half of the inning.

            Carter helped his own cause by singling home Olds in his next at bat.  Roberts relieved a spunky and effective, Hodgkins and was aided by yet another freshman playing a critical role.  When Joys poked a fly ball to center, Joseph Grant ranged to his left and speared the ball for the second out – allowing just one run to score on the Sac Fly.  A walk and a strike out ended the inning with the damage limited to two.  Jake Angell tried to do his part by walking in his first Majors plate appearance but Tucker “Stella” Carter got his groove back and struck out the side.

            SBS had better success in the fourth however.  After a double to start the inning, Jon Vickers scored on grounders by Hodgkins and Mitchell.  Roberts pulled SBS within two after reaching on an error and advancing when Matt Gilboy and Guignard worked full counts into walks.  Xavier Gagne then did the same for his first Majors RBI – scoring Roberts.

            After Vickers struck out the side in the fifth, he and Kilmartin reached base by walk and single, respectively, and then advanced and scored when Hodgkins laid down a bunt and the ball squirted into the outfield on the put-out attempt.  After moving to third with two outs, Hodgkins appeared to have a perfect opportunity to score on a wild pitch as he was sent by the Coach but catcher Kam H. reacted quickly to the ball which ricocheted back toward the baseline.  This time, Kam had more time than a Swiss watch shop and was able to sit down, have a sandwich and drink a beverage before applying the tag and ending the threat.

            Hoping to get home in time for Survivor, Henderson and K-Vick struck out five batters, wasting any opportunity for runs as Joys was left stranded for Willows and then Roberts and Guignard singled but did not score for SBS.  With tight games the norm early in the season, players’ sisters better start searching for more hiding places around the house or start applying the Chap Stick!