Braves Back on a Win Streak

On Wednesday June 8th; the Braves first five to come to the plate cranked out 5 consecutive base hits to start the game, and all five eventually crossed the plate, as the Braves scored 6 runs in the first Inning in route to a 13-4 Victory! Tony lead off the order batting 3 for 4 on the night with a pair of runs scored. Jacob also went 3-for-4 at the plate, driving in 3-RBI's, scoring 3-Runs and swiped 5-bases on the night. Donnie lined two-shots to the fence in legging a pair of doubles, scoring twice and drove in a run. Spencer also drove in 3 runs. Kyle & Sean P also had two-hits a piece, with Sean belting a double in the 4th inning, which was another inning the Braves batted around and scored a 6-pack of runs. Kyle also drove in a pair and scored a pair. Teddy stepped in off the bench and had the games biggest hit, lining a triple through the outfield, driving in a run. The Braves batted 17-for-35 (.486 avg.) on the night. Spencer received the start on the mound and went 5 complete innings, facing 21 at the plate, allowing only 1 Earned run, on 4-Hits, 2-Walks, and 6-Strike-outs. He hurled 81 pitches on the night. Angelo came in to clean up the final inning as the game was called on a time limit. Angelo faced 7 in one-inning of work, allowing 1 Run on no-hits and a pair of strike-outs, but had control issues in walking four. Braves 13, Smashers 4

On Thursday June 9th; The Braves played an all-around great game. The fielding was excellent, the hitting was probably even better and Donnie held the Premier AAA team to just 1-run through the first four innings. The combination of Kyle hitting safely and Donnie driving him in put the Braves on the score board first. Premier tied the game in the bottom half of the inning on a pair of walks and a base hit, stranding a pair as Donnie forced a towering fly ball to himself to end the threat. The Braves caught fire in the 2nd Inning with two-outs. With the Braves first two batters on by way of walk, a line-out and runner caught stealing left a lone runner at third with two-outs, that's when the Braves cranked out 5 consecutive line-shot base hits from Sean P., Ryan, Tony, Kyle, and Louis, which forced a pitching change. Donnie drew a walk from the relief pitcher before the inning ended on a strike-out but not until after the Braves batted all the way through the ten-man line-up, pushed six across the plate and now lead 7-1. The Braves lead 9-1 after four innings as they coasted to an 11-6 win. Tony was 2-for-3 with 2-RBI's and 3-Runs scored from the lead-off position. Kyle was 3-for-4 batting directly behind Tony, driving in a run and crossing the plate twice himself. Donnie was 2-for-3 with 2-RBI's and a Triple. Teddy roped a double in the 6th inning, drove in a run and scored twice. Sean P stayed hot, going 1-for-1 with a walk, two-runs scored and an RBI sacrifice bunt. Donnie hurled 51-pitches through 4-2/3 innings, allowing only 3-runs on 3-hits, striking out 3 and walking 5. Spencer came in to finish the 5th inning, tossing 1-pitch that was taken for a base hit, but the Braves cut down an over-zealous runner on the same play, ending the inning. Spencer was brought back out in the 6th despite being used heavily the night prior. He slung 19 more pitches through the 6th and 5 more pitches (25 total) in 1/3 inning in the 7th. In total, Spencer faced 9 at the plate, surrendering 3-Runs (1 Earned) on 2-Hits, 2-Walks and 1-Strike-out. Sean P mopped up the final inning, facing the final two batters to record the final two outs against the #2 & #3 hitters in Premier's line-up. Sean gave up no hits, no, runs, no errors, striking out the final batter. Sean needed just 9 pitches to polish off a great game by the Braves.

The Braves are now 8-4 on the season, 6-4 in the Puritas AAA Division.

Braves out-manned in Amherst

GAME NOTES:

BATTING: Donnie went 3-for-4 with three deep shots, two of the bombs to the fence, scored twice, but two of his biggest hits lead-off innings with no one on base. Louis went 2-for-4 with 2-RBI's and a run scored. Tony went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt in netting 2-RBI's and 2-Runs scored. Angelo went 1-for-1 with an RBI. Ryan singled through the right side in his first at-bat and scored. Matt drew 3-walks from the leadoff role, scoring twice and batted in a run.

PITCHING: Kyle received the start and just didn't have a lot of pop on his fastball, facing 10 batters over 1-1/3 innings, allowing 6 runs on 3 hits, walking a pair, hitting a batter and striking out 1 in 38 pitches. Louis finished out over the final 4-2/3, facing 22, striking out 6, walking none, in surrendering 6 runs on 7 hits, hurling 77 pitches. Louis received the Loss, but put forth a great effort in holding the Vipers to one-run over the 3rd, 4th & 5th innings and allowing the Braves to stay in it until the end. Louis tossed 55 Strikes on the evening to just 22 balls and kept the Vipers at bay with a quick rhythm.

NOTE: The Braves played 11 of 11 players in attendance. Jacob remains on an excused absent. Sean H was scheduled to start at catcher but had a conflict in attending. Sean P. and Teddy elected not to make the trip. Aaron served in an AH role only. Dalton came off the bench to catch in the 5th.

Monday May 9th

Braves Sneak-up on Vipers then hold on for 6th straight Win!!!

The North Coast Vipers are the first 'AAA' Puritas team that the Braves have faced this season, with all other meetings of AAA teams being rained out and some multiple times. The Braves went to the hot hand of Donnie to start on the mound. Donnie had struck-out ten batters in his last outing, and was hitless against through the first 5-1/3 that day. The Vipers, however, didn't get the memo. The first Viper to reach the plate belted a hard grounder between third and short. Louis got a glove on the ball and kept it in the infield, but the batter beat out the throw for a base hit. Another grounder to third was scooped by Louis, he properly looked the runner back to second (who had stolen the base prior) and disposed of the batter for out #1, although the lead runner still advanced to third base. The third batter to come to the plate, grounded out to Kyle at short stop for the second out, but did his job of driving in the first run of the evening. Donnie forced a pop-up to Kyle at short-stop for the third-out. The Braves matched play in the bottom of the inning on Kyle's one-out single in the gap between center and right field. Kyle advanced to second during a strike-out and rested on third after a passed ball. Donnie singled him in, dropping a blooper into short center. The Inning stalled with Donnie on second, and the score tied 1-1 after one.

The Vipers bit right back, as the 5th batter in the line-up drove a full count pitch deep into left field for a triple. He would score on a groundout to the right side of the Braves infield. A walk put another Viper on and a wild pitch would put him within striking position. Donnie settled in and retired the final two outs by way of strike-out to end the top half of the inning. The Braves went down 1-2-3 on two strike-outs and a spearing line-out and fantastic defensive play by the Vipers short-stop to rob Dalton of a two-out base hit. The Vipers lead 2-1 after two.

Once again, the Vipers lead off the third consecutive inning with a base hit. Donnie recorded another strike-out for out #1, but consecutive base hits did some damage, driving in the lead runner. Matt, the Braves center fielder, gunned down a Viper at third, who was trying to bite off more than he could chew, and Donnie retired the threat with his fourth strike-out of the game. Tony lead off the bottom of the third inning, getting hit by the Vipers starters first pitch. He swiped second and was moved to third on a groundout to second, but was stranded there, watching a strike-out and fly-out to center. The Vipers lead 3-1 after three.

Here come them Vipers, they just don't quit. For the fourth consecutive Inning, their lead batter reached base, this time drawing a full-count base on balls. He stole second while Matt put away two more flyballs into short center. With two-outs, a single to left field scored the lead batter for the fourth consecutive time. The Braves decided to make a change and see if they could break this pattern. Sean P was handed the rock, with two-outs and a man on. A walk of Sean's first batter and a wild pitch put runners at both second and third with two-outs and the Vipers flirted with putting this game out of a comfortable reach. Sean took care of things though, ending the threat on a called third strike and the Braves dragged-rear back into the dugout. The Braves were flat, and the Vipers were drawing blood. Bookend strikes outs around a walked batter were bad, but then throwing out the lone Brave runner attempting to steal second was enough to perhaps put the nail in the coffin. It was looking as bad as it has in this young season, as the Home town team trailed 4-1 after four.

Sean P. came out to start the fifth inning and wholly smokes, the Braves finally retired the lead-off batter for the first time on the night. Of course, the second Viper to reach the plate singled, and you guessed it, he scored on a two-out single followed by a double as the Vipers just wouldn't stop the pounding. Sean fanned the final out stranding runners on second and third and the Braves brass knew that a wake-up call was over due and something needed to be shaken-up. Down 5-1, the Braves began to see that the Vipers left-handed starter was beginning to tire. A lead-off walk by Aaron was the final straw and the Vipers went to the bullpen. Angelo, inserted into the line-up for Teddy was the first to face the relief pitcher. Angelo did a nice job showing patience in working him to four straight balls and the Braves now had a pair on base for the first time in the contest. Coach Aten decision in going to the bench for speed, replacing both Aaron & Teddy with the quicker CJ & Angelo, was partly for base running and partly to run down the bloop hit flyballs that were prolonging innings. After an infield pop-out, Tony ripped a double into left field, driving in both the speedsters. Tony, the teams fastest player, legged the double with the help of first base coach Ron Flowers who was filling in for Coach Lester. Tony swiped third base and scored on Sean P's single through the left side. A pop-up to the shortstop for the second out, nearly ended the inning, as Sean P took off for second on the hit before attempting to scramble back to first. A throw from the short-stop to first was off line, and rolled into the Viper dugout, automatically advancing Sean P to second. Sean then advanced to third alertly on a wild pitch, and scored on a base hit off Klye's bat, to tie the score at 5-5! Perhaps the gutsiest base hit of the night came from Louis. With Kyle positioned at second base after a stolen base, the Braves had Kyle swiping third on the pitch when Louis put the ball in play to the short-stops left. Kyle was sent home all the way, but that wouldn't have mattered had Louis not flew down the base path to beat-out the throw for an infield base hit, netting the Braves their first lead of the night. When the dust settle, the Braves faithful were off their feet and the Braves lead 6-5 after five.

Spencer was given the task of closing out the game on his 13th Birthday! Things looked good as he forced a pop-up to second. A second forced infield pop-up looked promising, until the flight of the ball carried deeper behind the Braves third baseman than expected, and a mixture of the sun, the Braves short-stop not being assertive enough to call off the third baseman, and the third baseman back peddling and relying on getting just far enough back to make an over the head catch instead of turning his hips and getting in position behind the ball - resulted into an error and placed the Vipers tying run on base. Spencer went back to work, striking out the Braves 9th batter in the line-up for the second out. The Vipers started the game batting ten, but an 'illness' forced the 10th batter to leave the game early and an agreement between the coaches and umpire had the batting spot skipped in the line-up. The lead-off batter in the Vipers line-up popped-up to third and what would have been the first inning the Braves didn't allow a run in the game, was marred on an exchange from the Braves catcher to Spencer on the mound, as the throw back sailed down the middle of the infield, allowing the tying run to easily score. The base runner positioned himself in scoring position by reaching second on a wild pitch and third base on a passed ball, then scored on the mis-exchange during the second out strikeout. With the score tied 6-6, the Braves came to the plate in the bottom of the 6th. Spencer lead-off the Braves campaign, drawing a walk as the Vipers appeared to have no interest throwing a strike to the big guy. With the Vipers already throwing out a runner at second, the Braves coaching staff didn't want to take any chances. Remember the changes in the line-up that the coach took to put more speed on the bases in the 5th inning? Well CJ came to the plate in his first at-bat since that move, and with the coach knowing that CJ is a fine bunter, he called for CJ to do just that and CJ delivered. The sacrifice bunt, goes down in the books as a sacrifice and not an official at-bat (kind of like a walk). CJ was thrown out at first, but now the Braves had the go ahead run at second with one-out. Angelo, another reserve inserted in the 5th, did his job by hitting behind the runner, grounding out, but pushing Spencer to third where he stood just 70' from putting the Braves back on top. However, the Braves needed a hit, and the third player off the bench came to the plate; Sean H promptly lined a 1-0 pitch into straight center, breaking open the tie by scoring Spencer. So, Spencer walked, CJ bunted him to second, Angelo moved him to third, and Sean H. drove him in ... that's great team baseball!!! The Braves weren't satisfied there though, as there was an 'insurance run' still out there to grab. Electing not to steal Sean H. on the first pitch, the Braves third base coach let him hang at first base through three pitches to the #9 batter, Tony. Reason being is that the coach wanted to ensure that he would get back to the top of the line-up in the 7th if needed, instead of possibly having the third out thrown out at second, with the #9 & #10 batter to lead-off the 7th. That's why he gets paid the big bucks and why most head coaches are often left open for ridicule and questioned from the stands, without them being privy to all the data involved. However, after spending a season with Tony, calculating how Tony has been swinging the bat lately and knowing that the Vipers pitcher was focused on ending the inning on the 1-2 pitch count, it was now time to send Sean on the pitch, and Tony delivered beautifully, driving the ball through the leftside. Sean was waived from first to third and a mishandling of the ball upon pick-up by the left fielder was enough to try to squeeze Sean in across the plate. It was a success and the Braves got the cushion they desired, now leading 8-6. Tony and First Base Coach Ron Flowers were once again on the same page, as Tony reached second on the play on Sean at the plate. The quick feet of Tony swiped third and the Braves were looking for more. Sean P. lined a well hit ball to Center, but it was secured away for the third-out, as the Braves carried the two-run lead into the 7th, with the top of the order up at next at-bat, if needed.

The Vipers played a great game and they weren't going to crawl back into a hole just yet. Spencer continued to throw ground balls and this time a strange grounder was mishandled by Tony at second base and the throw was way off line to Louis at first, putting the Vipers lead runner on base for the umpteenth time. The second batter ripped an 0-1 pitch into right/center, moving the lead runner to third. An eventual steal, put runners at second and third. The runner on second representing the tying run, with no outs. Spencer sent a sigh of relief through the Braves faithful by striking out the first out. A grounder to Tony at second, recorded the second out, but cut the lead to 8-7, with the tying run now at third. Spencer threw two straight balls, which the home plate umpire was of no help. On the third offering, a grounder between first and second gained choppiness as Tony rolled in front of it. A late hop, allowed the batter to close in on first and a quick scoop and underhand pitch to Louis sailed high ... very high, but Dad's investment into the extra long first baseman's glove paid off as Louis secured the final out, out-stretch with foot still on bag, and the Braves won their sixth consecutive game to remain unbeaten on the young season.

Happy Birthday Spencer, scoring the go-ahead run in the 6th, and ending as the Games Winning pitcher!

Braves shut-out Smasher to remain unbeaten

With the Smasher winning their first round earlybird tournament game in shut-out fashion 4-0 over the Vipers-National (the Braves next opponent), the Braves went into this game as if it was a do or die situation. Spencer was given the start with all other Braves pitchers were considered 'available' in relief.

Before the Braves could take the field though, as the visiting team, they would bat first. Things did not start off well at all, as the Braves went down 1-2-3 in three consecutive strike-outs. It was a statement by the Smasher that could have intimidated the Braves into a funk on the afternoon.

Things didn't start off much better for the defense, as Spencer's first pitch nailed the Smashers Lead-off batter, putting a runner on and the Braves off to a troubling start. The lead-runner stole second base and was moved to third on a ground-out to Louis at third-base. Louis probably had the opportunity to tag the runner out, but concentrated on getting an out, and his accurate throw to first did just that. A walk of the third batter and eventual steal, now put two runners in scoring position, and things were of concern in the Braves dugout. Spencer gained command and control, striking out the second out and fielding his position to end the early threat.

The coaching staff knew that we had dodged a bullet and quickly tried to help the team shake off the rocky start, regroup, and get to work playing 'Braves baseball'.

Donnie drew a second inning lead-off walk, and advanced to second base on Spencer's bloop single to short right field. Aaron delivered the first blow of the game, driving a deep shot over left field for a double, driving in Donnie & advancing Spencer to third. Teddy properly hit behind the runner, resulting into a groundout to the second baseman, driving in Spencer for the second run of the inning. Sean H walked, and a steal of second base positioned him within scoring range with one-out, but the rally died there with a pop-up to first and grounder back to the mound.

Spencer went back to work, this time striking out two, bookend around a nasty sharp hit liner right at Tony at second base. The ball appeared to 'eat Tony up', but he did a nice job of staying in front of it, knocking it down, and had just enough time to throw the runner out at first. The Braves retired the Smashers 1-2-3.

The Braves sent the top of the order to the plate to start the third inning. Matt who saw a strange combination of pitches take him to a full-count and eventual strike-out in the first inning, had a similar at-bat in the third, but this time forced a full-count walk. Matt promptly stole second base, before Donnie settled in and grounded out to third base. Matt smartly waited for the third baseman to make the throw, then advanced to third.  Louis drove an 0-1 pitch through the leftside of the infield, scoring Matt and reaching base safely. Louis stole second, then stole third on ball #4 to Donnie, which opened the door for Donnie to steal in behind him on the next pitch. With two in scoring position, Spencer grounded out to third for the second out, though driving in Louis to put the Braves ahead 4-0. Donnie moved to third base but was stranded by way of a strike-out to end the threat.

Spencer struck-out the side in the third inning, retiring eight straight batters since the early trouble in the first inning. Per Tournament rule, no pitchers can pitch more than 3-innings in any single game. There are no pitching rules from one game to the next, but 3-innings per game is the maximum, so Spencers outing was complete even though he had managed to be sporting a no-hitter through three innings.

The Braves added 2 more runs in the top of the fourth. The Braves lead off the inning gong down swinging and and flying-out to left field on a well hit ball from Sean Hamrick. Dalton started a two-out rally with a single to short-center field. Tony then laced a bullet down the third base line that would have curled into the bullpen areas of most major league stadiums. The well placed hit scored Dalton from first. Luckily for Dalton, who missed two steal signs prior to the blast, was able to score all the way from first base. Dalton did an outstanding job covering three bases and scoring, but found himself being summoned to the East end of the dugout where the Braves third base coach gave him an ear-full about the missed signs. Meanwhile Tony stole third base and Matt drew another walk and quickly stole in behind Tony, giving the Braves two in scoring position and one-out. Kyle drove in Tony with a base-hit to left field, but the rally ended there on a ground-out to second base.

Sean P. was given the nod to relieve Spencer in the bottom of the 4th with the Braves now leading 6-0. Sean surrendered the Smashers first base-hit of the ball game, on his first pitch. That runner didn't stay on the bases long though as his next pitch was lined at the first base bag where Spencer, now playing first base, speared it before it hit the ground and alertly stepped on first base for a double play as the lead runner was stealing off the pitch and well off the bag. Sean P then hit the next batter, but regained form and struck-out the final out in the middle of the Smashes line-up.

The Braves widen the lead to nine in the 5th inning. Donnie and Spencer were hit by a pitches consecutively, and Aaron showed great hustle in beating out a base hit to the left side of the infield, loading the bases. Sean P. who was inserted into the line-up in Teddy's spot, busted the game open with a liner to center field, scoring Donnie & Spencer. Sean H did his job in hitting behind the runner, scoring Aaron. The rally was stalled on a strike-out and ground-out to end the inning.

Sean gave up another lead-off hit for the Smashers second base hit of the evening, but a pop-up back to the mound, and a fielded ball back to the mound, put the Braves just one out away from the seasons first shut-out. Sean P retired the final out on a strike-out to keep the Braves undefeated on the young season.

All Batting & Pitching Statistics have been updated.

GAME NOTES:

BATTING: Aaron lead all batters with two hits, including a 2-RBI Double in the second Inning that broke open a 0-0 tie ball game. Sean P went 1-for-1 off the bench with a 2-RBI single in the 5th, and pitched two scoreless innings to close the game out. Tony ripped a two-out double down the third base line, driving in Dalton who was 1-for-2 on the evening.

PITCHING: Spencer threw a no-hitter through 3-innings before having to be replaced per tournament rules of max. 3-innings per game. Sean P. completed the shut-out adding two scoreless innings in relief. The two combined for 8 strike-outs, no hits, no runs, no errors, over 5-innings of play.

FIELDING: Tony lead the defensive effort with a fantastic put-out from second base in the second inning. He stayed in front of a line drive that short hopped him, knocked it down and recovered to throw out the second out of the inning. Spencer scooped a liner down the first base line, to catch it in flight and doubled up an aggressive runner who has already left first base in the 4th Inning. Louis had a put out from his third base position in the first inning. Outstanding pitching lead to few defensive plays.

NOTE: The Braves went with a shortened line-up; Angelo & Ryan DNP - coaches decision. Jacob had an excused absent. Teddy served as AH through 4-innings

Poor Base Running Forces Braves to Come From Behind for 4th straight Win

NOTE: The Braves played with a 14-man continuous batting line-up, per Tournament Rules. All 14 players also seen action in the field. As a Team the Braves Batted 16-for-29 (.552), Striking out only 3-times, while reaching base on balls only once. Poor Base running erased many of the base hits.

BRAVES USE DOMINATE PITCHING TO COMBAT WARRIORS

PITCHING: Donnie pitched a no-hitter through the first 5-1/3 innings on his way to 6 complete innings pitched. The Braves committed an error in the first inning, which lead to a tying run after an inning of play. The Braves chiseled away at the lead while Donnie dominated innings 2, 3, 4 & 5, retiring the Warriors in 1-2-3 order in all but a lone walk in the 5th. Meanwhile the Braves mounted an 8-1 lead. Donnie finished by facing 22 batters, striking out 10, walking 3, surrendering the lone un-earned run on 2-hits. Donnie's pitch count per inning of 14+14+15+8+18+18 = 87 efficient pitches on the night.

Spencer finished up the 7th inning facing 4 at the plate, striking out a pair, allowing no hits or runs, hurling 8 pitches in the inning.

BATTING: Two of the Braves batting hero's did so in limited play; Teddy started in right field and hammered out two base hits to Center field, including a double to lead off the 3rd inning and an RBI single in the 4th. This decision to replace Teddy in the line-up was ill-advised and one Coach Aten will toss and turn over in his sleep. Teddy is 3-for-3 on the season in 3 at-bats, after missing Game #1, and has earned his way back out of the coach's dog house. Teddy's replacement tonight struck-out twice, once with the bases loaded in the 5th and the other stranding a runner on third base, both at-bats ended each inning. Louis came in off the bench and smashed a double to deep center in the 4th, driving in a run and scored himself. In the 6th he singled in another run and also reached base on error in the 7th to go 2-for-3 on the evening. Kyle went 2-for-4, batting in 2 runs, and scoring twice while swiping 4 bases. Donnie ripped a 2-RBI double in the 3rd. Matt who came into the game perfect in 4 at-bats, kept the streak going in his first at-bat tonight, walked in his second before flying out in the 4th inning for the first time he was retired from the bases in the young season. Matt finished 1-for-2 with 3 runs scored, 2-walks, and 4 bases stolen.

FIELDING: The box score wouldn't be complete without mentioning the outstanding job by Dalton as tonight's catcher. Dalton caught the complete game and did an outstanding job behind the plate while going 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. Louis came in off the bench to cut down a well placed grounder between the short-stop and third base gap. From his third base position Louis scooped-up and gunned downed the first out of the inning, then two batters later he ran down an infield pop-up and alertly picked-off the runner from first base who was scrambling to get back to the bag for outs 2 and 3. From coming off the bench to doubling in a run in the top of the 4th inning then making all three outs defensively in the bottom half of the inning is outstanding role work, not to mention that these defensive  plays cut down Donnie's pitch-count in the inning to just 8 pitches thrown and prolonged Donnie's outing on the night. There weren't many defensive plays to make around Donnie's superb pitching, but Kyle recorded a pair of put-outs from his short-stop position in the first inning. Aaron had a pair of put-outs at first base, and Tony retired the final out from his second base position.

NOTE: All Braves played the field and batted again for the third straight game. The Braves batted 11-for-33 (.333), with 5 strike-outs and 4 walks, stealing 16 bases.

BRAVES HAVE THEIR WAY AT MAPLEWOOD

The Braves first game at Maplewood faired well as the first 6 Braves players to come to the plate reached safely in route to an 8-Run 1st inning. Kyle received the start and struggled at first, walking the bases full, between fielding his position well and striking-out the final two outs to get out of the jam. His next trip out in the second inning was flawless, striking out all three batters he faced, and allowing no-hits on the evening before being replaced with a 10-0 Braves lead. The Braves pitching dominated; facing 22 at the plate and striking out 12, walking 4, while surrendering only 2 runs on 2 hits. The Braves were instructed to show patience at the plate and milked 7 free bases, in route to cranking 17-hits in 32 at-bats (.531 avg.), including four doubles (Donnie, Matt, Louis & Aaron).

THURSDAY APRIL 21, 6:15PM AT DORA LEE PAYNE FIELD

GAME NOTES:

BRAVES CATCH WALLEYES

The Braves set foot on a sandlot for the first time since Fall of last year. With the weather preventing the Braves from practicing outdoors, and the original Home Opener rained out the night before, everyone was curious what the team would look like actually playing outside the four walls of the gymnasium.

Reality slapped the boys in the face as the first four Westlake Walleye’s to come to the plate, reached base safely. A lead-off walk was followed by three consecutive infield base-hits. This infuriated the Braves head coach since the team has practiced pretty much nothing else but infield defense the past 6 months leading up to this game. After a strike-out, a base on balls, an unassisted out at first base, the innings third walk, and the final out on a ball batted back to the Braves starting pitcher (Sean P.), the Walleyes lead 3-0.

The Braves fought back though. A lead-off strike-out was the sole blemish in the top of the order as Klye singled and stole his way around to third while Donnie drew a base on balls. Kyle eventually scored on an over-throw exchange from the catcher back to the pitcher, for the Braves first run of the season. Matt also walked and Louis ripped a hard line drive into right field, driving in Donnie & Matt to tie the score at 3-3. With one-out and Louis reaching third on a passed ball, Jacob did his job by putting the ball in play behind the runner, forcing an unassisted ground-out, but driving in the go-ahead run. The inning ended on Dalton’s ground-out back to the mound, but the Braves shook some rust off and held a lead after the season’s first full inning.

Sean P. didn’t have his best stuff tonight, but he settled down after the shaky start to retire the 10^th , 1st and second batter in the Westlake line-up 1-2-3 in the top of the second inning.

The bottom half of the Braves line-up showed no patience at the plate, swatting at only 5 pitches thrown, netting a ground-out to short, first, and second, to also go down 1-2-3. Coach Aten would reflect back on this lack of attention numerous times throughout the game and it lead-off his post-game speech afterwards. Players who fooled around in the dugout and didn’t observe Westlakes starting pitcher struggle through 28 pitches thrown in the first inning and walking two batters, while getting high in the count on three other Braves batters, found themselves stepping into the batter’s box unprepared and actually helpful to the opponents cause. Your at-bat starts in the dugout prior to ever squeezing a padded helmet on or selecting your bat, not as the first pitch is in the air. 5-pitches was all it took to retire the side!

Sean P. entered the third inning still without any resemblance of his breaking ball as we know it. He had control problems and was inconsistent, but still had the velocity to get by. He forced a hot grounder up the middle that Jacob did an outstanding job of getting in front of and retiring the first out. Then Sean surrendered a pair of hits sandwiched around a strike-out, but a walk of the fifth batter he faced in the inning, loaded the bases. The Braves coaching staff decided to see if they could find a hotter hand, and went to Louis to bail the team out of a situation with bases loaded, 2-out, and protecting a one-run lead. Louis took the first batter he faced to a full count before he hit a towering flyball behind first base, which Jacob ran down from his second base position for the final out.

The Braves continued to be impatient at the plate. Berea’s lead-off batter struck-out on a full-count, but the next two batters each jumped on the second offering to flyout and ground to go down once again 1-2-3, this time on only 11 pitches hurled.

Westlake manufactured the tying run in the fourth to make it 4-4. Louis forced a ground-out to second, then struck out the #10 batter, before walking the Walleyes lead batter. That walk turned into a steal of second base, a steal of third, and a steal of home on a passed ball to tie the score. Louis took care of the final out on a ground-out back to the mound. Note: If you want to pitch for the Braves, you better soon find out that the coach absolutely hates giving out free bases. The Braves allowed 13 Westlake batters to reach base tonight, 5 by way of base hits, 1 batter reach base on a fielder’s choice and 7 reached base on balls.

Matt & Louis created a spark to lead-off the bottom of the 4^th inning, both reaching base on consecutive base hits and stealing their way into scoring position. Dalton batted in Matt with a ground-out to short, but Louis was left stranded as the Braves went down 1-2-3 after the duo lead-off hits. The Braves now lead 5-4.

The 5^th Inning was the deciding inning. The Braves had planned to go with Spencer on the mound and close with Donnie, but Louis was pitching well and seemed to be getting better. Louis was trotted back out to hold the lead. The first Westlake batter placed a sharp grounder in the gap between short-stop and third. Sean H. covered a lot of ground from his third base position, but the ball just was out of reach. Kyle moved into position to field it from his short-stop position and threw a laser across the field for the first out, as Spencer stretched from first to close-out the play. The next batter took a 2-1 offering and lined another sharp hit down the third base line, Sean H. nabbed this one with his momentum taking him near the foul line, he re-grouped and gunned a bullet across the field, where Spencer again stretch to cut down the throw and secure the second out. Louis put the potential tying run on base with a walk. Jacob then ran down the third out on a blooper over first base for another sensational play in the inning and the Braves carried their 5-4 lead into the bottom half of the 5^th.

Angelo & Sean H. both grounded out to the Walleyes second baseman to start the Braves offensive series. Tony then ripped a liner back up the middle and off of Westlakes pitchers leg for a base hit. Tony stole his way into scoring position as Kyle drew a base on balls. With Kyle stealing on the pitch, Donnie blasted the first pitch deep into left field, driving in both Tony & Kyle, and reaching a double for himself. The rally ended there though as a strike-out ended the inning. The Braves now lead 7-4.

Spencer was handed the rock with instructions to close this baby out by protecting the lead. He walked the first batter in trying to settle in, but struck-out a pair sandwiched around a ground-out to first on a play where Louis, now playing first base, came well off the line to field his position.

The Braves managed to put two base runners on in the bottom of the 6^th as Dalton stroked a 2-out single and Aaron reached base on a mis-played blooper to the leftside of the infield. With both runners in scoring position, Angelo grounded out to the first baseman and the Braves carried a three-run lead into the final inning.

Westlake was mentally challenged by the size of Spencer towering over them on the mound. Down by three runs, they scrapped for a lead-off bunt single to start off the 7^th. The well placed bunt was too much for either the Braves catcher, Donnie, or Spencer to get to in time. But Spencer went back to work, forcing a pop-up to Louis at first base, then striking out the second out on a 2-2 pitch, before fielding the final out himself as the Braves put a ‘W’ in the win column to start the 2011 Season off.

THURSDAY APRIL 21, 6:15PM AT DORA LEE PAYNE FIELD

GAME NOTES:

FIELDING HIGHLIGHT: Top of 5th Inning with Braves hanging onto a 5-4 lead. Louis was trotted out to the mound to stretch the game to a save situation for Spencer and/or Donnie. He delivered with help by some solid fielding; Kyle disposed of out #1 on a grounder into to SS gap. Sean H. took care of out #2 as he speared a bullet down the 3rd base line and gunned the batter out at first. A Walk put the tying run on, before Louis forced a towering flyball behind first base where Jacob put it away from his second base position. The write-up doesn't do either of the three-outs justice, but all were very sound defensive gems. The Braves put up a pair of insurance runs in the bottom half of the inning to seal the deal.

NOTE: All 13 Berea Braves in attendance played & batted. Game was played at Dora Lee Field in Berea, Temperature: mid-40's, sunny.

Players were timed from base-to-base (70') during Sunday practices. Below are the recorded results :