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Reidy Field, the jewel of Suburban Youth Baseball League's crown, was a spectacular sight this afternoon: picture-perfect baseball weather, a beautifully groomed diamond, professional dugouts. Every batter was to be announced over the loudspeaker, and the local cable channel, Wellesley's NESN, was going to cover the game. It was a pleasure just to be part of the scenery.
It would be an even greater pleasure, though, to take it to this tough, undefeated Wellesley team, who sat confidently atop the Eastern Division standings. Tom did his best to do just that in the top of the first. With one out, he sent a 2-2 fastball the other way for a single. He stole second on the next pitch to put himself in scoring position with one out. Unfortunately, Wellesley's ace was able to strike out the next two and put an abrupt end to the Rockets' plans in the first.
Steven, the hard-throwing righty, turned in a shutout inning of his own for the Rockets. He struck out two in a row to escape a bases-loaded jam and keep Wellesley off the board. No score through one.
With two gone in the top of the second, Patrick came out first-pitch swinging and sent one up the middle for a single. He then stole second. Steven walked to keep the line moving and bring up Alex. The slugger put good metal on a fastball and drove it to left for a double. Patrick scored, making it 1-0, Rockets.
Steven returned for the second. He got one to ground to first where Tom scooped it and stepped on the bag for the unassisted out. He struck out two more, but Wellesley was able to get one in to tie it up at one run apiece. A solid outing for Steven against a stacked Wellesley lineup: 2 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 5 Ks.
Top of the third. Roman singled and promptly stole second. It was a good throw from the Wellesley catcher, but with Roman's wheels, you've got to be better than good. He was safe at second standing, giving the Rockets a runner in scoring position with nobody out. Roman moved to third on a ground ball out at first. That brought Jonah to the plate. Speed at third and speed at the plate. Jonah dropped a good bunt, Roman took off, burned it home, and beat the play to put the Rockets up 2-1.
The punishing Wellesley lineup would put up five runs in the bottom half, though, and just like that, they were back in command 6-2.
But there is absolutely no quit in the Rockets. This game was far from over. Ryan led off the top of the fourth and was hit by a pitch. Timmy then stepped in and launched the shot of the night into right field. The right fielder did well to get it in quickly and hold Timmy to a single. With two gone, Steven singled and drove in Ryan, a great hustle to the plate to put the Rockets back within reach, 6-3.
Calvin came out to pitch the fourth and was lights-out. He had great velocity on his fastball and was pounding the zone, striking out one, getting another to fly to second where Patrick made a nice grab, and getting the third to fly to center field where Jonah made a spectacular sliding catch running in. A one-two-three inning for Calvin and the Rockets. Still 6-3, Wellesley.
Harry led off the bottom of the fifth with a single up the middle. With one out, Roman bunted and nearly beat the throw, but Wellesley was ready this time and made the play. Matt did his best to spark a two-out rally working a walk, but solid play in the field would retire the next batter 1-3 and put an end to the inning.
6-3, Wellesley, going into the fifth. Calvin would overcome a leadoff triple to strike out two. The third out came off the arm of Rockets catcher Ryan. After a throw to the plate, Ryan immediately turned and fired a laser to third, perfectly placed for Alex to lay down the tag and get the Rockets out of the inning. Great heads-up play by both Ryan and Alex.
Unfortunately, Wellesley was able to bring in a few more and put themselves up by six going into the final frame. They sent their closer to the mound, and he retired the Rockets in order.
The game was closer than the 9-3 score indicated. Both teams played well in the field. Both teams threw strikes. The difference was at the plate: Wellesley got their bats on a few more than we did.
Tonight's game ball went to Timmy, who was 1-2 at the plate, with an absolute bomb to right field in the fourth against some tough Wellesley pitching. Timmy also put in two innings of excellent work behind the plate. He made a great play in the third to get to the ball, get the force at home, and prevent the run. The Hustle Award went to Calvin, who pitched two solid innings, battling and never giving up against a very good Wellesley lineup.
On Wednesday, the Rockets travel to Morrison Field in Westwood for our final regular season game. As of now, the Rockets are in fifth place. The top five teams in our division will make the playoffs. So, we will need to continue to play good Rockets baseball against Westwood to secure that playoff spot and get us in gear for the post-season.
We still have not received any word about a playoff schedule, but as soon as we do, we will post it here.
