MOSQUITO > Dodgers Top Lizzies 12-5

THE ARTFUL DODGERS POWER THEIR WAY TO VICTORY OVER THE PESKY LIZZIES TO EARN THEIR FIRST ROUND ROBIN WIN OF THE TOURNAMENT

DODGER POWER > Clockwise from top: In three at bats, Gen (10) powered the Dodgers offense by going 3 for 3 at the plate [triple, double, single] while scoring two runs and delivering 2 RBI’s. Gen also pitched a three strikeout second inning against the Lizzies; Kaden (13) went 1 for 2 at the dish [single, fielder’s choice] while contributing 2 RBI’s at crucial moments in the game; In three trips to the dish, Jacob (7) went 2 for 2 [two singles, sacrifice hit] with a run scored and a pair of RBI’s.

Rebounding from a 9-7 opening round robin loss to the Cardinals, the artful Dodgers employed a combination of solid pitching and a disciplined offense to neutralize the pesky Lizzies to earn their first round robin victory of the tournament.

Here are the highlights:

• The Dodgers powered their way to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first. After a lead off single by Jacob (7), Gen (10) crushed a RBI triple to the deep dish pizza zone of the outfield to bring Jacob home with the game’s first run. Jian (4) followed suit with a RBI triple blasted to the nether regions to score Gen. With two outs, Kaden (13) delivered a clutch RBI single to plate Gen.
• Lizzies starter Curtis (12) gamely struck out two Dodgers in the top half of the first.
• Southpaw Jays starting pitcher Jacob (7) struck out two in the bottom of the first to keep the Lizzies off the scoresheet.
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  In two appearances at the dish, Simon (14) contributed two RBI walks to the Dodgers victory.

  In the top of the second, the Dodgers took advantage of four walks and two singles to score three runs and extend their advantage to 6-0. After Oliver (12) led off the inning with a walk and a pair of stolen bases, he came motoring home on a Lizzies error. With one out, the Dodgers loaded the bases. Simon (14) garnered a RBI walk to bring home Max (3). Jacob followed with a RBI walk to allow  Gus (15) to boogie home with another run.

• The Lizzies scored a run in the bottom of the second to trim the deficit to five. With two Lizzies on base, Devin (6) stroked a one out RBI single to deliver Dean (7) home.
• Shaken, but not stirred, Dodgers reliever Gen (10) found the groove and struck out three to quell the Lizzies uprising in the bottom of the second.
• Making hay of three walks and a pair of hits, the Dodgers added three more runs to their tally in the top of the third to stretch their lead to 9-1. With the bases juiced, Tango (5) drew a RBI walk to allow Gen to shimmy home. Kaden followed and hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Jian to score from third. With one out, Oliver delivered a RBI single bring home Tango.
• Lizzies second baseman Taylor (3) made a great defensive play in the third inning. With lightning quick reflexes, Taylor snagged a SIZZLIN’ HOT TAMALE shot on one hop in the webbing of her glove to prevent a hard hit ball by the Dodgers from going deep into the outfield.
• In the bottom of the third, the Lizzies rallied for three runs to cut the deficit to five. After Fatima (14) had led off the inning with a walk and a pair of stolen bases, Jasper R (4) delivered a one out RBI single to bring home Fatima. Subsequently, the Lizzies loaded the bases on a walk and a hit batsman. Curtis earned a RBI walk to score Jasper R. With two out and the bases still overflowing, Dean was hit by a pitch that allowed Xavier (8) to mosey home with a run.
• The Lizzies took advantage of four walks to add four more insurance runs in the top of the fourth to stretch their lead to 12-4. With the bases loaded, Simon drew a one out RBI walk to bring home Olivia (6). Jacob followed with a RBI sacrifice hit that allowed Max to score. With two outs, Gen delivered a RBI single that plated Gus.
• Lizzies reliever Devin (6) pitched a workmanlike inning in the top of the fourth with a strikeout.
• With two outs, the Lizzies refused to surrender and doggedly loaded the bases by rallying for a run in the bottom of the fourth to slice the deficit to seven. On a wild pitch, Devin seized the moment and blazed home from third on a wild pitch that bounced down the first baseline. In a chitty chitty bang bang play at the plate, Devin slid safely under the tag attempt of Dodgers closer Jian to score the Lizzies fifth run.
• Dodgers closer Jian mowed down two Lizzies in the bottom of the third to seal the deal on the victory.

The Dodgers (1-1) will face the Reds (1-0) in their next round robin game at Christie Pits Diamond 3 on Saturday, September 7 at 8:45 a.m. Meanwhile, the Lizzies (0-2) will play the Cubs (1-0) in their next tournament game on Saturday morning at Christie Pits Diamond 2 at 8:45 a.m.

Bonus Lizzies Game Summary by Paul Bagnell

In two plate appearances, Devin (6) went 1 for 1 (single, walk) and sparked the Lizzies offense with a run scored, a RBI and two stolen bases.

Four pitchers shared the pitching duties, with Curtis (12) getting two strikeouts and Xavier and Devin getting one “K” each.
 
The offensive attack was spread around, with Dean (7), Luke (5), Devin (6) and Jasper R. (4) each hitting singles. The hits by Devin and Jasper R. were RBIs. Devin brought in Dean and Jasper R. knocked Fatima home.
 
Defensive standouts included Taylor (3) who, playing second base in the third inning, stopped a hard-hit ball from going deep into the outfield. Taylor snagged the ball on its first hop. Jasper R. and Leandro (10) both grabbed grounders and put base runners out – Jasper R. at third base and Leandro at first base.
 
Lots of bases stolen by Lizzies. Highlights here included Devin stealing second, third and home and Fatima stealing second and third before being brought home on an RBI single.

MOSQUITO DIVISION STANDINGS (after 6 of 16 Round Robin Games played)

THURSDAY RESULTS: Cardinals 9 Mets 4; Dodgers 12 Lizzies 5