Apr 23, 2017 | Chad Lawton | 593 views
Titans pick up another win
This afternoon, the Peewee Major Titans once again traveled to Michigan, this time to play the 12U Garden City Scorpions tournament team.
First let me say how classy the GCYAA organization was in welcoming us to their park. Upon arriving for pregame warm ups, I see a Canadian flag flying on the flag pole in center field next to "Ole Glory". To say that I was surprised was an understatement, but when I found out that they shopped for 4 days to find a store in the US that had one...I was stunned. Well done GYCAA!!!
Brett Saxton started on the mound for the Titans and looked comfortable there, giving us 2 solid innings allowing no runs. At the end of 2 complete innings the score was 0-0 and we knew we had ourselves a game.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Caleb Appleyard came in for relief and again, Caleb was rock solid. Caleb gave the team another 2 solid innings walking nobody and at one point had 2 in scoring position with only 1 out. After 4 complete innings the game was still scoreless with both teams going back and forth offensively. Now we are in a battle!!!
In the top of 5 and on a Scorpions pitching change, the boys buckled down and got aggressive at the plate. The Scorpions made the mistake of allowing a couple runners on base and the Titans put up 5 runs for a 5-0 lead.
In the bottom of 5, we made some big moves defensively and Jayin Dennison took the hill. In typical JD fashion, he made quick work of their batters and BOOM...Top of 6.
Again, on a pitching change, the Titans are now rolling and taking advantage of the defense putting up 3 more for an 8 run lead. Our confidence was flowing and the team was firing on all cylinders. JD comes back in for the bottom of 6 and puts them away looking smooth doing it.
Top of 7, we have the boys the "anything can happen" speech and told them to push through and finish this. I guess they took it to heart because they forced yet another pitching change and just could not be stopped putting up 3 more for an 11-0 lead.
Bottom of 7, Brody Lawton came in to close and although we had a healthy lead, Brody wanted to preserve the shut out and hold them scoreless. First pitch, the Scorpions batter went deep into left field and Josh Chalmers, having a great jump on the ball and tracking it well, ran out of real estate and went full stride and face first into the left center field fence. Unfortunately he did not make the catch but it sure was not for lack of effort. Brandon Pare was right there for the coverage holding the runner to a double. After we made sure that Josh was Ok, we dusted him off and finished the game. Next 2 batters both grounded out and with 2 outs and a runner on 3rd, Brody struck the the batter out for the game.
The win was a complete team effort and solid outing giving the coaches a better idea of what we have this year and what we need to work on this week.
Special mention goes to Ryan Cunningham who had a great game behind the plate keeping his pitchers in check and keeping the base runners honest.