MOSQUITO > Mariners Edge Lizzies 5-4

TRAILING 4-3, THE M’s UTILIZE SOME GRAND THIEVERY TO UPEND THE LIZZIES AT BICKFORD PARK

NAUTICAL PITCHING > Mariners starter Shael (3) [top] pitched a scoreless first inning where he struck out two Lizzies. M’s southpaw reliever Sam (2) [bottom] retired the Lizzies in 1-2-3 fashion with two K’s in the third frame to keep them off the scoreboard. During the same inning, Sam also managed to pick off a Lizzies baserunner at first base to help his own cause.

As Lizzies catcher Cassius (5) hustles back to home plate after retrieving a wild pitch, Sam (2) slides home safely to score the winning run and give the Mariners a 5-4 come from behind victory.

Game Summary edited with file from Rebecca Wells-Jopling

Beneath a layer of muggy and humid midsummer skies, the Mariners edge the Lizzies 5-4 in three innings of Mosquito Division action this evening at the Bickford Park South Diamond.

Here is a Mariners account of the proceedings:

• The Mariners stole eighteen bases total in a 5-4 grand theft victory at Bickford Park.
• The M’s were speedy on the base paths – everyone who got on base stole at least one base.  Everyone who scored made it to first and then stole the rest.
• Ernesto (7) sparked the M’s offense with two runs scored and six stolen bases. Ernesto stole home twice with some great base running!
• Kai (5), Sam (2) & Julia (8) scored the other runs, each one stealing three bases (including home).
• Shael (3) stole a base and Grayson (11) stole two.
• Mariners starter Shael (3) pitched a scoreless top of the first with two strikeouts.
• In the top of the third, Sam (2) pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.
• Great play by both teams!

For those rabid fans who can’t get enough, here is an additional bonus game post of the Lizzies & Mariners game by Scoop Gerbil:

After stealing third, Julia (8) would take advantage of a Lizzies error on the play and come sliding home to score the Mariners third run in the first inning.

Down 4-3, the Mariners would don their rally caps in the bottom of the third in a feverish bid to overtake the Lizzies.

With one out, Ernesto (7) and Sam (2) would garner back to back walks to put two ducks on the pond. After both baserunners advanced a base on a double steal, Ernesto would blaze homeward on an error to score the tying run.

Subsequently, Sam would bolt home on a wild pitch to score the Mariners winning run.

The proceeding was a highly entertaining seesaw affair that was contested by two talented and well coached teams. In the end, the Mariners made the most of their opportunities to prevail for the victory.

Mariners starter Shael (3) struck out two in the top of the first to keep the Lizzies off the scoring ledger.

Seizing upon their opportunities, the Mariners staked themselves to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With one, Kai (5), who had reached base on a fielder’s choice, made a bid to steal second base. On the play, the Lizzies throw to nab him sailed high and into centre field. The resulting two base error allowed Kai to motor home with the opening run of the game.

Following a walk and a stolen base to reach second, Ernesto (7) would steal third come barreling home on a Lizzies faux pas on the play.

Mariners first baseman Shael (3) holds up his glove after completing a 1-3 pickoff of Lizzies baserunner Owen (15) in the third inning.

With two outs, Julia would draw a walk and steal second. As she stole third, another Lizzies error would open the portals for Julia to come home to crow.

Lizzies starter Jeremy (3) would strike out two in the first to subdue the Mariners rebellion.

In the top of the second, the Lizzies would regroup and answer with four to take a 4-3 lead. After Ian (12) drew a lead off walk, Owen (15) would be hit by pitch to put two aboard. Following a walk to Colston (11) that loaded the bases, Willem (10) drew a RBI walk to bring Ian home with the Lizzies first run of the game.

With one out and the bases still juiced to the gills, Cassius (5) and Mason (4) garnered back to back RBI walks that allowed Owen and Colston to come homeward bound and tie the game. Kaden (9) would be hit by pitch with the bases loaded to allow Willem to mosey home with the go ahead run.

In a workmanlike effort, Mariners reliever Ernesto (7) had a spirited foray on the mound in the second inning.

Lizzies reliever Cassius (5) would strike out two in the bottom of the second to keep the Mariners off the scoresheet.

With one out, Lizzies first baseman Owen (15) made a nifty solo defensive play when he snagged a line drive off the bat of Rennick (9) to deny him a hit and ring up the second out of the inning.

Mariners southpaw reliever Sam (2) would strike out two in the top of the third to keep the Lizzies off the scoreboard.

After issuing a one out walk, Sam helped his own cause when he hooked up with M’s first baseman Shael to successfully pick off Lizzies baserunner Owen in a 1-3 putout at first base.