Much can be said of the Memorial turf. It's springy, fast, and the grounds crew always keeps it perfectly groomed for us. This afternoon, though, the only way to describe the turf was hot--about ten degrees hotter than the 90-plus degree air. Coach Tacelli's tent over the dugout and two barrels of Gatorade certainly helped keep the Rockets cool in the dugout, but there was no shelter from the heat once they took the diamond.
Harry's fastball didn't help matters either in the top of the first. As if it wasn't hot enough out there, he cranked up the heat even more to strike out three, the last one looking. But not before Natick brought in two to jump out early, 2-0.
Natick's lead wouldn't last long. The Rockets would overcome the deficit in their half and then some. Calvin sparked a two-out rally with a double and the first of six consecutive extra-base hits. After Calvin, Ryan doubled, Tom doubled, Timmy doubled, Jonah tripled, and Patrick doubled, each knocking in a run to make it 5-2, Rockets, after one.
Alex took over for Harry in the top of the second and picked up right where Harry left off, striking out the side, all looking. Natick was able to bring one in to make it 5-3, Rockets.
Roman led off the bottom of the second with a single. He took second on an error. Matt M then singled to left and brought Roman in. 6-3, Rockets. Steven singled to left to score Matt, and the Rockets were up by four after two complete.
Matt M would also make a contribution on the mound with a shut-out third inning. He struck out two and got one to fly to first, where Calvin made a nice grab running in.
Alex singled to ignite a big third for the Rockets. He stole second on the first pitch to Calvin to put himself in scoring position with nobody out. Calvin walked, and Tom singled to load the bases for Timmy, who worked a walk to bring in Alex. 8-3, Rockets. The show would go on. Jonah singled, Patrick walked, Roman was hit by a pitch, and Matt M singled, all producing four more for the Rockets. 12-3 after three.
Jonah took the hill for the fourth and put up the second perfect frame in a row for the Rockets. He was lights-out, striking out two and getting one to ground to Calvin at first.
Harry worked a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth and scored on a hard ground ball off the bat of Noah. A great hustle up the line, but Noah was out at first by half a step. He did his job, though, and got the run in. 13-2, Rockets. Matt G stepped in next and ripped one to short. Another great hustle up the line, and he beat the throw. Unfortunately, though, Matt would be stranded at first, as the crafty Natick pitcher was able to pitch his way out of the inning.
The Rockets sent Tom to the mound for the fifth, and he delivered the third scoreless inning in a row, striking out two and getting one to ground to short, where Matt G made the stop and fired to Alex at first in time. Great execution. Tom had a good fastball and was commanding it well to keep Natick's bats silent. Still 13-2.
The Rockets put together another impressive two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth. Tom got it going with a single to left. Timmy hit a shot to the gap in right center for a double and scored Tom from first. Timmy would finish the afternoon 2-2 with 2 doubles, a walk, and 2 RBI. The heat was clearly not a factor for him. Jonah singled next, and then Patrick sent a 1-2 fastball into left field to load the bases for Matt M, who rocketed one to center field--a 2 RBI single for the young slugger. Harry would single in another, and the Rockets were able to post another crooked number. 18-2 after five.
Timmy and Calvin combined to close out the game in the sixth and put another win in the books for the Rockets. After managing only one run the previous game against very tough Blue Sox pitching, Rockets bats certainly came back to life this afternoon pounding out a total of 21 hits, 7 for extra bases, and putting up 18 runs.
Today's game ball went to Tom, who pitched a shutout inning and went 3-3 at the plate, with a double and 2 RBI. Steven earned the hustle award for his focus in the sixth inning. In the heat, after five long innings, and with his team up by 11 runs, he was just as alert and intense as he was in the first inning. At second base, he took the cutoff on a ball hit to shallow right field, turned and gunned it home, throwing a perfect strike to Ryan at catcher, who applied the tag to get out number one at the plate and prevent the run. Hustle can mean a lot of things in baseball. Here, it meant playing your best baseball no matter what the score is, no matter how long you've been out there in the heat, no matter what position you're playing or who your opponent is. You play hard and play well no matter how the game is shaping up.
A lot of highlights in this game for the Rockets, but I think one of the most exciting moments came after the game, when we trotted off the scorching Memorial turf and headed to the Needham Pool and Racket Club to cool off and enjoy some pizza together. The pool party was a lot of fun--swimming, diving, and games of pickle in the grass out front. A huge thank you to Laura Hasenfus and Kim Christie for organizing the event!
We take on Parkway next, Friday 6:00 at Memorial. See you there!
