PEEWEE > Reds Tame Cubs 11-7


THE BIG RED MACHINE PREVAIL OVER THE CUBBIES IN THE PEEWEE DIVISION SEASON OPENER AT BICKFORD PARK

CHITTY, CHITTY, BANG, BANG > Top Photo: After leading off the bottom of the second inning with a walk and a steal of second base, Gabriel (10) would take advantage of a two base error to charge home and just beat the tag attempt of Cubs catcher Charlie (7) to score the Reds fourth run in a cloud of dust at the dish. Bottom Photo: After being hit by pitch leading off the bottom of the third frame, Noah (6) would take first base and exact his revenge. Noah would steal his way around the base paths and slide home to elude the tag of Cubs catcher Jashan (4) and score the Big Red Machine’s eventual winning run in dramatic fashion,

Beneath a duvet of warm and serene skies, the Reds defeated the Cubs 11-7 in 3 ½ innings of Peewee Division action this evening at the Bickford Park South Diamond.

The 2017 regular season opener for both teams was an entertaining and well played proceeding from start to finish. In the end, the gritty Big Red Machine prevailed by making the most of their offensive opportunities and by stymying the pesky Cubs via some stellar defence and strong pitching.

Exercising patience at the dish, the Cubs would garner four walks in the top of the first to take an early 1-0 lead. After Raffi (11) and Marshall (3) drew back to back walks, Aidan (10) would earn a two out walk to load the bases. Charlie (7) would follow with a bases loaded RBI walk to bring Raffi home with the opening run of the game.

Reeelin’ and a rockin’, Reds starter Jeremy (4) would strike out one and induce two groundouts to extinguish the Cubs insurgency in the first frame.

Reds second baseman Andre (13) would hook up with first baseman Emilia (11) to turn a nice 4-3 putout for the second out of the inning.

In the bottom of the first, the Reds would answer back with three runs of their own to take a 3-1 lead. After Cooper (7) was hit by pitch to leadoff the inning, Noah (6) singled to put two ducks on the pond. Salvador (9) would follow with a one out RBI single to bring Cooper home with the tying run.

With runners at third and second, Emmi-Lou (5) would deliver a two RBI single that allowed Noah and Salvador to come homeward with the go ahead runs.

Cubs starter Lucas (1) would strike out two in the first to quell the Reds insurrection.

Reds reliever Noah (6) would strike out two in the top of the second to keep the Cubs paws out of the honey jar.

The Big Red Machine would strike for four in the bottom of the second to stretch their lead to 7-1. After leading off the inning with a walk, Gabriel (10) would steal second base. On the play, the Cubs defence would commit a pair of errors that allowed Gabriel to blaze homeward and slide into home safely in a chitty, chitty, bang, bang play at the plate.

Subsequently, Josh (8), James (1) and Moses (3) would garner respective walks to load the bases. With two outs, Emilia would take one for the team when she collected a RBI via a hit by pitch to bring in Josh.

With the bases still juiced to the gills, Jeremy and Cooper would draw back to back RBI walks to bring James and Moses home to roost.

In a spirited foray on the hill, Cubs reliever Raffi (11) would strike out two Reds in the second.

The Cubs would claw back for three in the top of the third to trim the deficit to three. Following a two out double by Raffi, Marshall (3) and Matthew (9) would draw back to back walks to load the bases. Aidan (10) would deliver a clutch two RBI single to bring Raffi and Marshall home to crow.

With runners at third and first, Charlie would stroke a RBI single to deliver Matthew home.

Reds reliever Petra (14) would chalk up a groundout and strikeout in the third to quell the Cubs rebellion.

Petra got a little defensive help from her friends during the frame. Second baseman Moses hooked up with first baseman Salvador to turn a pretty 4-3 play to ring up the first out.

Petra was also assisted by her defence on a sweet 2-6 putout during the inning. After drawing a one out walk, Joey (6) made a brazen bid to steal second base. However, Reds catcher Cooper made a cannon throw to shortstop Emilia, who tagged out Joey to ring up the second out. 

In the bottom of the third, the Reds would utilize their speed and base running prowess to tally four insurance runs and widen their advantage to 11-4. After being hit by pitch as he led off the inning, Noah would exact his revenge by stealing his way around the bases and coming home to score in dramatic fashion by just sliding under the tag of Cubs catcher Jashan (4) in a say, hey, hey play at the dish.

Following a walk and a steal of second, Jade (2) would take third in grand theft fashion. On the play, the Cubs would commit a faux pas that allowed Jade to come home and do the shimmy, shimmy shake.

Subsequently, Salvador would draw a walk and steal his way to third. A Cubs wild pitch would allow Salvador to come barreling home to do the watusi.

After Kyle (12) and Josh walked to put two mallards on the lake, James delivered a RBI single to bring in Kyle.

In a workmanlike effort on the mound, Cubs reliever Charlie would strike out two Reds in the third.

Refusing to wave the white flag, the Cubs would gamely rally for three in the top of the fourth to trim the margin to 11-7. After Felix (5) walked and Noah (13) singled to put two aboard, Sam (14) blasted a heebie jeebies three run home run shot to the gap in centre-right.

Shaken, but not stirred, Reds closer Emilia (11) would chalk up a flyout, strikeout and a groundout to seal the deal on a hard fought victory over the Cubbies.

And kudos to Reds right fielder Andre for ringing up the first out during the inning on a highlight reel over the head shoestring catch to rob Jashan of a blast that was destined for extra bases.