In one of the best games of the summer, the Canes prevailed 6-5 over the NBA Nationals with a walk-off win in the bottom of the fifth.
It was a very unusual win, as the Nationals actually outhit the Canes, 9-3. But the Evoshield offense took advantage of walks and errors, and had a key two-run first inning after NBA had put up a three-spot in the top of the inning. That kept the game close, and the pitching and defense was good enough to keep the Canes close enough to eventually pull out the victory.
Three pitchers combined to walk just one while striking out nine, and the defense played error-free--both elements were essential to staying just close enough to win it at the end.
Oh, and there was another element: "Mental toughness," Coach Sean told the team after the game, "is what won that game." With a lot of back and forth and some other external factors, the Canes managed to play through it to get an impressive win.
First inning
Jake reached on an error and was wild pitched to second. He stole third while Gavin reached on a missed third strike. A wild pitch scored Jake, with Gavin racing all the way to third. Drew's fielder's choice scored Gavin.
Score after one inning: NBA 3, Canes 2
Third inning
Jake walked and went all the way to second on ball four. He stole third, then scored on Drew's double. A wild pitch put Drew on third, where he scored on Chace's fielder's choice.
Score after three innings: Canes 4, NBA 3
Fourth inning
The Canes put runners on second and third for Andrew, who came through with a key two-out hit.
Score after four innings: Canes 5, NBA 4
Fifth inning
Gavin went all the way to second on an overthrow from second. Drew and Chace were intentionally walked, and a wild pitch scored Gavin.
Score after five innings: Canes 6, NBA 5
Score after one inning: NBA 3, Canes 2
Third inning
Jake walked and went all the way to second on ball four. He stole third, then scored on Drew's double. A wild pitch put Drew on third, where he scored on Chace's fielder's choice.
Score after three innings: Canes 4, NBA 3
Fourth inning
The Canes put runners on second and third for Andrew, who came through with a key two-out hit.
Score after four innings: Canes 5, NBA 4
Fifth inning
Gavin went all the way to second on an overthrow from second. Drew and Chace were intentionally walked, and a wild pitch scored Gavin.
Score after five innings: Canes 6, NBA 5
Pitching Performances
Drew started and went three and a third excellent innings, striking out eight.
Asher entered with a runner in scoring position and stranded him in the fourth.
Chace shut things down in the fifth.
Dugout wisdom
In the middle of the fifth, with the score tied, the Canes had Gavin, Drew and Chace due up in the bottom of the inning. Coach Sean gathered them around him and said, with a perfectly straight face, "OK, Drew, if Gavin gets on, I want you to bunt him over."
If only there was a photo of Drew's face at that exact moment. Suffice it to say that Coach Sean let them know he was just kidding.
Asher entered with a runner in scoring position and stranded him in the fourth.
Chace shut things down in the fifth.
Dugout wisdom
In the middle of the fifth, with the score tied, the Canes had Gavin, Drew and Chace due up in the bottom of the inning. Coach Sean gathered them around him and said, with a perfectly straight face, "OK, Drew, if Gavin gets on, I want you to bunt him over."
If only there was a photo of Drew's face at that exact moment. Suffice it to say that Coach Sean let them know he was just kidding.
Game 1 Web Gems
- Chace made an aggressive play on a dribbler to first in the fourth and tagged out the speedy runner.
- Asher, Chace and Gavin teamed up on a key pickoff to end the fourth.
Game 1 line score
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
R
|
H
|
NBA Nationals
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
X
|
5
|
9
|
Canes
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
X
|
6
|
3
|
No comments:
Post a Comment