Coach Brian's Game #5 Blog

Game #5, August 4, 2010 (12:30 pm)

ESPN Wide World of Sports Field #23

Opponent: DBAT Mustangs White (San Antonio, TX)

Game Summary (8 innings)

NC Bombers 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 5r 9h 1e

DBA 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4r 6h 2e

NCB Pitching: Q.Connolly, R.Mets (6) Catch: J.Reisinger

Winning Pitcher: Ryan Mets

Top Hitters: C.McGuire 1x4, RBI; H.LoForte 2x4, 3B, RBI; Q.Connolly 1x3; A.Pierce 1x3, RBI; C.Loeb 1x3, RBI; I.Garcia 1x3; M.Kelly 1x1; J.Reisinger 1x3.

Bombers need 8 innings to beat Mustangs.

In the first round of loser’s bracket play, the Bombers took on the #1 seed in Pool A with the loser going home. Quinn Connolly started for the Bombers and promptly gave up a two-run homer to the Mustangs #3 hitter (2-0 Mustangs). The Bombers rallied with 2 hits in the top of the 2^nd, singles by Aaron Pierce and Isaiah Garcia. But the Mustangs retired Tanner Dodson and Mykie Goudreau to end the threat. From the 2^nd inning to the end of the 5^th, Connolly faced the minimum batters (12). Both of the hits he gave up were erased. Catcher Jack Reisinger threw out a runner stealing 2^nd to end the 2^nd inning and Connolly picked off the lead-off hitter in the bottom of third. In the top of the third the Bombers rallied for 4 runs of starter Braden Williams. Matt Kelly led off the 3^rd by getting hit by a pitch. Reisinger followed with a single to left (runners on 1^st & 2^nd). Corey McGuire laid down a base-hit bunt that resulted in a throwing error that scored Kelly & Reisinger to tie the game. After a Hank LoForte pop-out, Connolly hit a pop-up that landed fair just behind 1^st base. McGuire, who had stolen 2^nd, went to third. Pierce’s RBI ground-out scored McGuire and gave the Bombers their 1^st lead 3-2. With Pierce on 1^st, Chris Loeb hit a shot to the left-center gap, scoring Pierce (4-2 Bombers) for a triple and would score on the bad relay throw to third. However, Loeb missed 2^nd base and was called out for the final out of the inning. That was all the scoring the Bombers would do as Williams held us scoreless for the next 4 innings. Ryan Mets relieved Connolly in the 6^th and quickly loaded the bases after surrending 2 hits and a walk. Mets was able to get the Mustangs #2 hitter to bounce into a 6-4-3 double play that was nicely turned by LoForte and Goudreau (Bombers still up 4-3). With 2 outs and a runner on third, Mustangs hitter Will Hollis (who earlier homered) hit a hard ground ball to 2^nd that Goudreau was unable to come up with, tying the game at 4-4. Mets got the next hitter to pop-up and also worked a quick 7^th inning to send the game to extra innings. Matt Kelly led the 8^th inning off with a single to center. After Reisinger struck-out trying to bunt with 2 strikes, Corey McGuire flew out to deep left-center for the 2^nd out. Kelly went to 2^nd on a wild pitch and scored on Hank LoForte’s triple to left-center, giving the Bombers a 5-4 lead. Mets worked a 1-2-3 8^th inning to seal the deal and pick up a much needed win for the Bombers.

Bombers play the East Cobb Astros (ranked #3 by TBS Select) at 10:15am today on Field 4. A win in that game moves us to a 2^nd game right after against the winner of the LA Bayou Bandits and Angels Baseball. The Bombers are here to play another day in Florida!!!!

Coach Brian