Another nailbiter

That was our 6th 1 run game of the year. We also had a 3 run win in extra innings. We also had a 2-0 win. In all of those, we are 7-1, so that is nice.

Where do I start? First how evenly matched we are with the Braves. We both sent 26 batters to the plate. We struck out 7 times, we struck them out 10 times, so advantage us. We walked them once, they walked/hit us three times, so advantage us. They committed 2 errors, we committed 4. Advantage them. We each had 3 base hits, so a push there.

Now for what we did well. First is the great job of pitching by Mickey. He threw 67 pitches in 5 innings work, with just the one walk and 9 strikeouts. He owns the Story City mound. He also had a great defensive play on their first batter while he was playing third to throw out the fastest guy on the field in Taylor Hill of the Braves.

Great job by Grant catching those popups in the 6th. Those were fairly easy, but Grant is not stupid, and I'm sure he knew the importance of catching them, and he did his job with a lot of pressure on. Will also had a nice catch in CF in the 4th, to close out an inning. If he didn't catch it, they would have scored a run.

I also want to mention the good job Spencer did behind the dish. He did a good job of not letting the ball get by him. Jerald scored 3 runs tonite, and every run of his was on a passed ball/wild pitch.

Lastly, a good job by Ed for his 1 inning of pitching work to open the game. My plan all along was to pitch him against the top of their order. He did a good job, though got busted for sleeping on the job, as Brandon McCoy swiped home on him. Ed won't do that again. One mistake is fine.

Offensively, we had a reasonably good night. The Braves fielded the ball well. They got 11 outs in the field. I really want to tout the back to back at bats by Jerald and Spencer in the 6th inning. Between the two, they made Hill throw them in the neighborhood of 15-18 pitches. Jerald ended up getting a double after about fouling off about 6 pitches. Spencer struck out, but it was after about 9 or so pitches. I have no problem with that. Fortunately Jerald was a good enough mood tonite that I could get away with calling him Buckner. (Google "Bill Buckner error" if you don't know what that means)

So the game was being played for the choice of whether to play local, or go to Ankeny. Our coaching staff chose to play local. The kids were leaning Ankeny. Ankeny is fun, getting to play different people, and on grass infields and all that. But the odds are somewhat stacked against North Story teams. So we are playing on Friday night at 6PM in Story City. Please, Please, Please let me know if your son is going to be gone this weekend. Zach is gone on Saturday if we win Friday, and we are not allowed pool players, so I need bodies!

On another note, the All Star selections were announced, and Jerald is our 12 rep, and Spencer is our 11 rep. Spencer is actually a league age 11, because it is based on what your age is on April 30, and at that time, Spence was an 11.

I am also the 12 year old Manager, and I am allowed some number of at large picks, and I have chosen to take Mickey and Cody as well. For the remaining 11s, it will be up to the 11 coaching staff if they want any of our players for at large picks.

If anybody is interested in running the concession stand on Friday, let me know. Thanks to Kate Hartzler for pulling double duty tonite, on the A's game, and our game.