The LaSalle Titans Minor Mosquito - Green Team battle to a tie in a tough defensive contest with the Belle River Braves: 7-7
On a cool and drizzly July evening in Belle River, the Titans fought hard and came out with a nail-biting draw with the Belle River Braves. Pitching and defense were centre stage as the Titans overcame an early 5-0 deficit.
In the first inning, the Titans went down 1-2-3, but with Jack B. pitching in the bottom of the inning, he nearly matched the effort, only giving up a single run. The highlight of the inning was a running catch by Matteo in left field, throwing to second to double up the runner.
The Titan bats were again quiet in the second inning, as they brought four batters to the plate and failed to score a run. Three runs crossed the plate for the Braves in the bottom half, but Jack B. ended the inning with a strikeout.
In the third, LaSalle could not cash in two runners in scoring position with no outs, with Jack M. and Matteo leading off with a single and double. Belle River countered with another run to bring the score to 5-0.
A change of pitchers for Belle River in the fourth brought the Titan bats alive. Caleb, Jack B., and Aiden crossed the plate, with Jack B., Max, and Jack M. driving in runs, but the Titans left the bases loaded. Jack B. finished off his pitching for the night with a solid fourth inning, allowing the first batter to score, but catching a runner stealing home, and following with two more quick outs.
LaSalle mounted a comeback in the fifth inning, scoring two more runs to close to within one run. Aiden entered the game in relief and struck out the side in quick succession. In the sixth, Kalman was driven in from third by Josh to tie the game, and Aiden once again dominated the bottom of the inning with 3 more strikeouts in allowing only one baserunner.
With darkness approaching, the teams decided to start a 7th and final inning, coming one minute under the wire for the start of an inning. Aiden walked to get on base, stole two bases and sat on third. Two batters later, Max drove him in with a single to right field, and the Titans had a 7-6 lead. Unfortunately, the Titans left the bases loaded and could not bring in any additional runs. In the bottom of the seventh, the Braves' first batter reached second base on a throwing error and eventually scored on another error. However, with a runner on second and one out, Aiden forced a groundout, and was able to strike out the final batter to end the game.
The 7-7 tie was a tremendous morale boost, and was a great result to an enjoyable game. Congratulations to both teams on such a hard-fought contest!
Batting Line:
- 1B - Jack M. (2), Max (2), Caleb, Jack B., Josh, Kalman, Landon, Sullivan
- 2B - Jack B., Matteo
RBI's:
- Max (3), Jack B., Jack M., Josh