MOSQUITO > Giants Rally To Tie Pirates 11-11


THE MIGHTY GIANTS STAGED A FIVE RUN COMEBACK IN THE FINAL INNING TO EVEN THE SCORE WITH THE GNARLY BUCCANEERS IN A BARNBURNER AT BICKFORD PARK

Clockwise from top left: Giants first base coach Deb McCrory gives Grace (9) the signal to steal second in the bottom of the fourth inning; Grace beats the catcher’s throw to Pirates shortstop Andrew (10) and makes it to second base standing up; Grace readies herself at second; In a cloud of dust, Grace slides safely into third after a Pirates error. Grace would score the first of five comeback runs in the Giants rally in the final inning to tie the game.

MAKING THEIR PITCH > top to bottom: Giants pitcher Alex (13) threw two strong innings against the Pirates where he allowed only three runs while striking out six [2 IP, 3 ER, 1 H, 5 W, 1 HB, 6 K’s]; Pirates reliever Jackson (13) pitched a scoreless second against the Giants while striking out three [1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 W, 3 K’s].

On the hazy and humid shores of Bickford Park Bay this evening, the Giants and Pirates battled to an 11-11 draw in four innings of Mosquito Division seafaring action. 

Theo (9) stroked a 2 RBI single for the Pirates in the second inning.

Theo (9) stroked a 2 RBI single for the Pirates in the second inning.

Trailing 11-6, the Mighty Giants seized control of the mizzenmast in the bottom of the fourth and rallied for five runs to tie the gnarly Buccaneers in Jolly Roger fashion.

Sparking the Giants comeback was a leadoff walk by Grace (9), who exercised great discipline at the plate in reaching base. Grace’s base running heroics inspired her teammates to follow suit as Emmett (11) and Taras (12) patiently drew two out walks to load the bases. Subsequent walks by Piper (2) and Alex (13) allowed Grace and Emmett to score and trim the deficit to three.

A series of swabbie errors by the Pirates would eventually allow Taras, Piper and Alex to come homeward bound and tie the proceedings.

With the Giants potential winning run only 130 feet away on second base and with the game on the line, Buccaneers closer Oliver (6) dug deep into his inner reserves and struck out the next Giants batter to end the game.

In the top of the first, Giants starting pitcher Alex (13) deftly kept the Pirates off the scoring ledger as he struck out three Bucs in succession.

With great plate discipline, Emma (4) drew a RBI walk for the Giants in the first inning.

With great plate discipline, Emma (4) drew a RBI walk for the Giants in the first inning.

The Giants jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. After Emmett and Taras had reached base on a pair of leadoff walks, Alex delivered a RBI sacrifice hit to allow Emmett to motor home with the first run of the game. A subsequent Pirates error would allow Taras to score.

With two outs, Nigel (10), Cooper (5) and Laine (14) drew walks to load the bases. Emma (4) followed with a RBI walk to bring home Nigel.

The lootin’ Pirates answered back in shiver me timbers fashion by taking advantage of five walks and scoring four runs in the top of the second to take a 4-3 lead over the landlubberin’ Giants.

After Adam (7), Richard (12) and Hayden (2) drew three consecutive walks to lead off the inning and load the bases, Sterling (5) drew a RBI walk to allow Adam to shimmy home with the Bucs first run. A subsequent RBI walk to Jackson (3) allowed Richard to score. With one out, Theo (9) delivered a two RBI single to bring Hayden and Sterling home.

Pirates reliever Jackson (3) kept the seadoggin’ Giants off the scoreboard in the bottom of the second with a stellar three strikeout effort.

Adam (7) powered a 2 RBI double for the Bucs in the third inning.

Adam (7) powered a 2 RBI double for the Bucs in the third inning.

The Buccaneers pillaged the Giants treasure chest for four runs in the top of the third to extend their advantage to 8-3.

After Perry (1) and Jack (13) drew respective walks to lead off the inning, Nathan (4) followed suit with a one out free pass to load the bases. Owen (11) drew a RBI walk to score Perry. Michael followed with a two out RBI walk to bring Jack home. At this point, Adam powered a two RBI double to the outfield to bring Nathan and Owen homeward.

Refusing to wave the white flag of surrender, the Mighty Giants gamely rallied for three runs in the bottom of the third to trim the deficit to two. After a one out single by Piper, Alex stroked a RBI double to bring him home. Nigel followed with a walk. Subsequent errors by the Bucs defense allowed both Alex and Nigel to score.

Bilging the Giants seafaring ship with its own anchor, the Pirates looted their opponent’s vessel for three more insurance runs in the top of the fourth to widen their lead to 11-6. After Richard, Hayden and Sterling drew walks to lead off the inning and load the bases, Jackson drew a RBI walk to bring in Richard. Oliver (6) followed with a RBI single to score Hayden. With one out, Perry was hit by a pitch with the bases juiced and this allowed Sterling to mosey home.

A workmanlike three strikeout effort by Giants pitcher Alex allowed his team to escape the inning without further damage.

With their ship aflame and the Pirates counting their gold doubloons, it was at this juncture in the proceedings where the Giants stared into the horizon and came face to face with their moment with destiny in the bottom of the fourth.