MOSQUITO > Cardinals Bench Press Giants 12-4


THE CARDS TAKE FLIGHT AND STYMIE THE MIGHTY GIANTS AT BICKFORD PARK TO EARN THE GOLDEN EGG OF SWEET VICTORY

SPEED DEMON > Clockwise from top left: Cardinals leadoff batter Sara (3) sparked the offense with five stolen bases and three runs scored. In four at bats, Sara went 2 for 2 [two singles, two walks] with a RBI.

SPEED DEMON > Cardinals leadoff batter Sara (3) sparked the offense with five stolen bases and three runs scored. In four at bats, Sara went 2 for 2 [two singles, two walks] with a RBI. Clockwise from top left: Sara at first base; blazes towards second; steals third; slides home.

Beneath a canopy of warm and sunny skies, the Cardinals defeated the Giants 12-4 in three innings of Mosquito Division action this evening at the Bickford Park South Diamond.

Nigel (4) would power the Cardinals offensive assault with two doubles, three runs scored and 3 RBI's.

Nigel (4) would power the Cardinals offensive assault with two doubles, three runs scored and 3 RBI’s.

In an entertaining affair, the Cards prevailed by making the most of their offensive opportunities and utilizing some solid pitching to stymie the potent Giants batting order.

The Cardinals parlayed thirteen walks and eight hits into a dozen runs over the course of three frames. Meanwhile, two Cardinals pitchers combined to limit the Mighty Giants to four runs while striking out four.

In the grand tradition of TP House League Baseball, Giants Head Coach Vincent Lynch loaned the Cardinals three of his players until reserves arrived from the Red Birds AAA farm team in Memphis, Tennessee.

In the top of the first inning, the Cardinals sprinted out to an early 4-0 lead. After leadoff batter Sara (3) singled and stole two bases, Isaac (12) drew a walk and stole second to put two runners on base. Nigel (4) followed and powered a RBI double to bring Sara home with the game’s first run. Subsequently, a Giants error would allow Isaac to motor home and a wild pitch would allow Nigel to blaze homeward with the inning’s third run.

After Thomas (6) and Teddy (12) drew back to back one out walks, Dexter (10) singled to load the bases. Guss (9) followed and stroked a RBI single to plate Thomas.

Cardinals starter Nigel (4) struck out three Giants in the bottom of the first to keep them off the scoresheet.

The Cardinals made hay of six walks in the top of the second to score four and extend their lead to 8-0. Sara single to lead off the frame and immediately swiped a pair of bases to reach third. After a walk to Isaac, Nigel hit into a fielder’s choice which allowed Sara to score and retired Isaac at second for the first out. A subsequent Giants wild pitch would allow Nigel to blaze homeward.

Sasha (5) powered the Giants attack with a 2 RBI double and a run scored.

Sasha (5) powered the Giants attack with a 2 RBI double and a run scored.

Jacob (2) would follow and draw a walk. After a wild pitch allowed him to motor to second, Jacob decided to steal third. With the Giants catcher’s throw to nab him sailing high and down the third baseline, Jacob sped home with the Cards third run of the inning.

Exercising patience at the dish, Thomas, Teddy and Dexter drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Rio (11) would follow with a RBI walk to bring Thomas home.

With authority, the Mighty Giants offense answered back with four in the bottom of the third to trim the deficit to four. After James (4) and Ethan F. (6) led off the inning with respective singles to put base runners at second and third, the Giants called for a double steal. With the throw from the Cardinals catcher sailing down the third baseline, James sprinted home for the Giants first run of the game.

Next, Rory (11) would draw a walk to put two Giants on base. Sasha (5) followed and powered a two RBI double to bring Ethan F. and Rory homeward. After a walk to Sam (14), Guss would deliver a RBI single to score Sasha.

In the top of the third, the Cardinals replied with four insurance runs to stretch their advantage to 12-4. After a Sara drew a leadoff walk, Nigel delivered a RBI double that brought her home. Subsequently, a Giants wild pitch would allow Nigel to come home to roost.

After walks to Jacob and Teddy put two runners on base, Dexter would stroke a two out RBI single to plate Jacob. Rio would follow with a single to load the bases and Sara would draw a RBI walk to deliver Teddy home.

Cardinals closer Isaac (12) would pitch a scoreless bottom of the third with a strikeout to seal the deal on the Red Birds win over the Mighty Giants.