Perfect Game Semifinals: Canes 14, Rubber Arm Rockets 9

In a game that never quite seemed to want to end, the Canes moved into the Perfect Game championship with a 14-9 win over the Rubber Arm Rockets.

The game was the second straight contest in which the Canes had to rally from an early deficit. This time, the Rockets put three on the board in the top of the first. It wasn't until the bottom of the third that the Evoshield offense ignited, and it blew up in a big way--with fourteen batters coming to the plate and nine runs scoring. The big momentum-changing blast was a grand slam from Chace:

And while the game never really felt in question after that nine-run frame, the Canes could never quite reach the elusive run rule, either. In fact, it ended up being the first game this fall that went the full six innings.

The victory moved the Canes into the championship, where they would play the...uh, Canes, making for a very difficult challenge for bloggers everywhere.

Semifinal Canes scoring plays

First inning

Gavin hit a one-out single and went to second on an error. A wild pitch put him on third, and another error scored him.

Score after one inning: Rockets 3, Canes 1

Third inning

JT and Colin singled, and Bryce sacrificed them over. Jake walked. Gavin beat out a fielder's choice that scored JT. Drew hit an RBI single. Chace blasted a grand slam over the 276-foot sign in dead center. Andrew singled and took second on an error. Ashton walked. Andrew stole third. Ben's fielder's choice scored Andrew and put Ashton on third. Ben stole second while Ashton was stealing home. JT walked and stole second. A wild pitch scored Ben.  

Score after three innings: Canes 10, Rockets 3

Fourth inning
Drew smacked a one-out double. Chace scored him with a double. Brady singled, and then an error scored Chace.
Score after four innings: Canes 12, Rockets 6

Fifth inning
Elias hit a two-out single. Gavin singled. Drew drove in both runners with a double.
Score after five innings: Canes 14, Rockets 8

Pitching Performances

Finally freed of the pitching regulations, Ashton started and went three and a third strong innings.

Bryce came in with two and a third good innings of relief, making the eleventh different Canes pitcher of the weekend.

Drew got the final out on four pitches.

Dugout wisdom
After firing three and a third innings of excellent pitching, Ashton came off the mound and back into the dugout while saying, "I was just getting loose in the first game." (The first game didn't go quite as well as this one.)

With the Canes hitting, the Rockets tried to pick off the runner at first base. Coach Kevin might have gently suggested in a very respectful way to the umpire that it was a balk. However, the umpire did not see it and the play continued...only to see the Rocket pitcher chuck the ball over the first baseman's head and down the right field line. Without missing a beat in the dugout, Andrew said, "Ball don't lie." Rasheed would be proud.

Semifinal Web Gems

• Colin made a great play ranging into the hole between first and second in the first inning, then threw out the runner.
• With a runner on second in the third and facing a 3-1 deficit, Andrew made a good play on a sinking liner to center, then threw to second to double off the runner.
• Brady made a terrific backhand, running catch of a long fly ball to right in the fourth.
• Drew made a leaping catch of a liner to short in the sixth, then on the very next hitter ranged over into shallow left to gather in a pop fly.

Semifinal line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
RA Rockets	3	0	0	3	2	1	9	13
Canes	1	0	9	2	2	X	14	13