Friday, October 23, 2015

Winter World Series Game 1: 919 Nationals 9, Carolina Quick Strike 8

The 919 Nationals began Winter World Series play in Tarboro on Friday night, where danger was in the air:


It turned out that the main danger wasn't actually flying balls. It was really the flying bats pterodactyls mosquitos, which drew blood from Coach Kevin and Coach Adam before the game.

This was the 13th game of the fall, but--at least according to the umpire who was calling the balks balls and strikes--was the first one of the fall played under HIGH SCHOOL RULES. The matchup, a repeat of last year's Winter World Series semifinal against the Carolina Quick Strike, was once again a very competitive affair, with 919 eventually pulling out a 9-8 win after the game went to the international tiebreaker.

The game was highlighted by one big inning--a six-run third--and then a pair of very tough, battling innings to tie the game and force an extra frame. Trailing 8-6 going into the bottom of the fifth (good job winning the coin toss, Coach Kevin!), 919 scrapped together two runs on a pair of hits to tie the game. Since the time limit had elapsed, HIGH SCHOOL RULES authorities had to be consulted, and they eventually decided the game had to go to an international tiebreaker. This meant that only Spanish could be used, putting the Nats in great shape thanks to Elias.

Oh wait, that's a different international rule. This time, it meant a runner was put on second base to lead off the inning. In the top of the sixth, Chace worked around the runner and held the Quick Strike scoreless. Then the Nats quickly loaded the bases, allowing Colin to walk it off to clinch the victory. The win was the second walk-off victory in the last three games.

The game moves 919 to 1-0 in pool play, with the second game of pool play coming on Saturday at noon back at HIGH SCHOOL RULES Stadium.

Game 1 919 Nationals scoring plays
Third inning
Elias reached on a shot to the left side and stole second. Banks ripped a one-out RBI single and took second on the throw to the plate. Gavin lined a double, stole third, and scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Ben hit a two-out single and went to second on a balk. A wild pitch moved him to third, and another wild pitch scored him. Andrew and Brady walked. JT's shot to short wasn't fielded, scoring Andrew. JT and Brady worked a double steal, with Brady scoring.
Score after three innings: 919 Nationals 6, Quick Strike 1

Fifth inning
Banks hit a leadoff single and went to second on a balk. Gavin singled, with Banks crossing the plate and Gavin moving up to second. A wild pitch put Gavin on third, and Chace's fielder's choice scored him.
Score after five innings: 919 Nationals 8, Quick Strike 8

Sixth inning
Andrew started the inning on second due to the international tiebreaker. Brady and JT walked. Colin smacked a bases-loaded grounder through the drawn-in infield to win the game.
Score after six innings: 919 Nationals 9, Quick Strike 8

Pitching Performances
Asher started and went three strong innings, including retiring the final seven batters he faced in order.

Andrew somehow managed to pitch through the Friday night strike zone in the fourth.

Bryce "Gorilla Arm" Dail faced two hitters in the fifth.

Chace finished it up with two very effective innings of relief, including working out of the international tiebreaker scenario in the sixth.

Dugout Wisdom
In the process of sliding home safely, Brady took the throw off the kneecap. As he returned to the dugout, and after Coach Kevin asked if it needed to be kissed and made better, Ben said, "You know Miss Giovanna will kiss it and make it better."
Giovanna, who just so happened to be standing near the dugout, barked, "WHO SAID THAT?"
Without missing a beat, Ben quickly replied, "Not me!"

Game 1 Web Gems
  • Bryce fired to JT to nab a runner stealing third in the first.
  • Chace came in hard from left, picked up a two-hopper, and threw to third to get a force in the first.
  • JT picked up a "backhand burrito" down the line in the second, then fired across the diamond to first to get the final out of the second.
  • After the batter struck out for the second out of the third, Bryce chased down the ball and threw to first to finish the out.
Game 1 line score
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
Carolina QS
1
0
0
5
2
0
8
5
919 Nationals
0
0
6
0
2
1
9
8






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