Tyler started us off with a shot down the third base line, resulting in a double. Next, it was Rowan’s turn, with a single that brought in Tyler for our first run of the evening. Then Justin’s bat brought in Rowan and Parker’s bat brought in Cameron, leaving Westfield with three runs at the top of the first inning.
At the bottom of the first, with Tyler at the mound and George behind the plate, Westfield took control of Mountainside. Highlights included a single by the first batter, despite what the umpire enthusiastically dubbed a “nice stretch!” by Rowan; and Tyler and Justin’s heads-up play, which fell just short of a double play. The side was retired thanks to a great play by Daniel and Rowan. Mountainside was scoreless as a result.
At the top of the second, J.D. singled and quickly stole his way to third base, and was then brought home by Daniel’s sacrifice grounder. With Tyler on the mound, a strikeout was immediately followed by a second out, courtesy of J.D.’s great snag at second base. Then Mountainside’s high-tech lightning sensor (a/k/a the umpire) stopped play, and the players were treated to a scary lightning story by Coach Roth. When play resumed, J.D.’s glove retired the side with no runs scored.
In the third inning, Westfield racked up 2 more runs. Rowan started the action with a nice hit down the third base line. Cameron walked, while Rowan stole his way to third. Then Justin’s single to left field brought in Rowan for a fifth run. Owen M.’s smash to center field loaded the bases, and Parker’s hit and great hustle brought in Cameron. Westfield was now leading 6-0.
Mountainside fared no better in the bottom of the third inning. It was three up, three down: Tyler struck out the first batter; a nice throw by Steven at third to Rowan at first brought down the second batter; and M.J.’s big catch in left field retired the side.
At the top of the fourth inning, J.D. walked and ultimately stole home. O.B. continued the stealing frenzy, bringing in our 8th run, thanks to Dan’s second RBI of the game. Cameron took over the mound in the fourth inning. Although Mountainside’s bats came out of hibernation, Westfield held them to two runs.
The fifth inning featured a two-run homer by Steven, immediately followed by a home run by Cameron, resulting in an 11-2 score. At the bottom of the inning, realizing that he was about to make a key play, M.J. ensured that his shoelaces were tightly tied and then charged into action with a sliding catch in right field. The second out was achieved courtesy of Parker’s bullet from behind the plate to nail the runner attempting to steal second. A later strikeout ended the inning with an 11-2 score.
Westfield continued to flex its muscle in the 6th inning, with Rowan’s RBI and Steven’s three-run homer, and a shut-down of Mountainside’s batters.
The final score was 15-2. A good time was had by all.
Recap by Whitney Bremer
Some of the hits tonight:
(Apologies to JD-he swung at the first pitch and I missed his hit)
Tyler
Rowan
Justin
O. Murray
Parker hustles out hit
Daniel drives in OB for his 2nd RBI of the night
George's hustle almost beats throw & advances the runners
The Home Runs
Steven #1
Cameron
Steven #2
Some of the great defense
MJ making one of his several great catches
JD stops a bullet at 2nd
Tyler strikes out one of the big bats
Cameron strikes out the last batter of the game
Here's something interesting you may not have noticed about tonight's game. Two of the players on Mountainside were brothers who looked nearly identical except one was a lefty, the other right handed. But that's not all - they're not just twins - they and their two sisters are quadruplets!!
