MOSQUITO > Angels Upend Astros 5-4

DOWN 4-1, THE HALOS RALLY IN THE FINAL INNING TO OVERTAKE THE ASTROS AT BICKFORD PARK

HEAVENLY COMEBACK > Down 4-3 and with two baserunners aboard, Evan (1) [top] delivered a grace under pressure 2 RBI single that allowed Michael (6) and Elliot (13) [bottom] to come home with the Angels tying and game winning runs over the Astros in the bottom of the third inning at the Bickford Park South Diamond.

Angels catcher Dante (12) tags out Vincent (10) of the Astros to foil his bid to steal home in the second inning.

Beneath a canvas of warm and hazy skies, the Angels edged the Astros 5-4 in three riveting innings of Mosquito Division action this evening at the Bickford Park South Diamond.

Trailing 4-1, the Halos rallied in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the third to usurp the Astros. After Andre (11) led off the frame with a sizzling triple, Astros reliever Vincent (7) struck out the next two Angels.

With two outs, Liam (8) stepped into the batter’s box to stroke a RBI single that brought Andre home and trim the deficit to two.

After a walk by Michael (6) put two aboard, Elliot (13) delivered a RBI single to bring Liam home and make it a one run game.

With two ducks on the pond, Evan (1) delivered a clutch 2 RBI single that allowed Michael to scoot home with the tying run and Elliot to slide in with the winning run.

With two aboard, Desmond (3) delivers a clutch two out 2 RBI single in the second inning to give the Astros a 4-0 lead.

The proceeding, contested by two talented and well coached teams, was a low scoring affair where pitching and defense reigned supreme and any runs scored came at a premium.

Angels starter Liam (8) struck out two in the top of the first to keep the Astros off the scoring ledger.

Liam also got a helping hand from his defense in the inning. With two outs, an Luca (14) of the Astros made a bid to come home after stealing third. However, Halos third baseman  James (10) retrieved the ball from the errant throw to nab the Astros runner and made a laser throw to catcher Evan (1), who tagged the Luca out at the dish in a pretty 5-2 putout play.

In the bottom of the second, the Angels would threaten by loading the bases. However, Astros starter Luca (14) would utilize three strikeouts to mow down the Halos to keep them off the scoreboard and in the pews.

Astros baserunner Stephen (1) slides under the tag attempt of Angels catcher Dante (12) to score the Halos fourth run in the second inning.

The Astros took flight in the top of the second when they scored four interstellar runs to take a 4-0 lead. After Sebastian (4) and Michael (9) drew a back to back walks to put two Astros aboard, Charlie (4) followed with an one out 2 RBI double to bring both of them home to roost.

Following a walk to Stephen (1) that placed two runners on base, Desmond (3) delivered a clutch two out 2 RBI single that allowed Charlie and Stephen to come homeward.

In a spirited effort on the mound, Angels reliever Michael (6) struck out one in the second.

Michael was also aided by a nice defensive gem from his friends during the inning. With Vincent (10) of the Astros at third base after a leadoff walk and a pair of stolen bases, an Angels throw to nab him bounced away. As Vincent bolted homeward, Halos third baseman Zack (14) retrieved the ball and made a cannon throw to catcher Dante (12), who adroitly applied the tag on a sliding Vincent to complete the chitty chitty bang bang 5-2 putout at the dish and ring up the first out.

Taking advantage of an error, Jonas (9) bolts homeward and beats the tag attempt of Astros catcher Michael (9) to score the Angels first run in the second inning.

The Angels would answer back with a run in the bottom half of the second to trim the deficit to three. After a one out single and stolen base, Jonas (9) advanced to third after a two out single by Dante. An Astros faux pas would open the door for Jonas to zoom home with the Halos first run of the game.

Astros reliever Charlie (4) would strike out three in the second to quell the Angels wanna wear my red shoes rebellion.

In the top of the third, Angels reliever Dante (12) would keep the Astros in the asteroid belt and off the scoresheet.

Luca was assisted mightily on a heads up Gold Glove defensive play from Halos second baseman Jonas during the inning. With no outs and the bases loaded, Luca coaxed an Astros batter to hit an eight mile high pop up that Jonas battled the bright sunlight to catch for the first out. Noticing that the wayfaring Astros baserunners had wandered astray of their respective bases without tagging up, Luca rushed over to tag out the Astro who had left second to chalk up the second out. Then Jonas rushed over and stepped on third to erase another Astro to ring up the third out. Kudos to Jonas for executing an unassisted triple play!

And it was at this juncture in the game where the Angels came face to face with their moment with destiny in the bottom of the third.