5/6/16

Tumwater 5, Hudson’s Bay 4

(Tumwater, WA) The T-Birds had already survived 1 loser out contest on Wednesday when they ended Aberdeen’s season with a 3-1 win. Now they had to do it again but this time against Hudson’s Bay, a team that struggled a bit coming in with a 9-10 overall record which obviously would be much easier than the 15-4 Bobcats they just knocked off, right? Not! Tumwater took advantage of some “interesting” calls late in the game coupled with solid relief pitching and timely hitting.

The Eagles got off to a fast start scoring 3 runs within the 1st three innings. Tristan Maxwell led off the game with a bunt base hit and then would steal 2nd base. After a strike-out , Jake Hammond singled putting runners on the corners with 1 out. Carter Morse then rapped a single driving in the 1st run but then got thrown out at 2nd trying to stretch the single into a double. After a fly out the T-Birds were retired in order by Eagles starting pitcher Matt Schram and the Eagles led 1-0 after 1.

Bay added 2 more in the 3rd when Maxwell led off with a sharply hit ball to 1st but T-Birds 1st baseman Michael Wagar took his eye off the ball and Maxwell was on safely. After a fly-out and a stolen base Hammond knocked in Maxwell with an RBI single. Nick Cuppy picked up Hammond with an RBI base hit and the Eagles led 3-0 after 3.

In the top of the 5th Trayton Rodriguez came in to relieve starter Joseph Brascher and got off to a strong start with a strike-out. But then he plunked Hammond. Hammond moved over to 3rd on a base hit from Morse and then scored on an RBI base hit from Cuppy. Morse tried to score from 2nd but was gunned down with a perfect throw from center fielder Keenan Milligan to save a run.

After 4 and a half innings the T-Birds had 3 at bats left in their season if they couldn’t score at least 4 runs and they would begin the comeback with this at bat. After a walk and a fielder’s choice Jacob Crawford was on 1st base. Sam Jones then hit an infield ground ball but 2 over throw errors left the T-Birds on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. The next batter Noah Andrews would walk on an apparent “high” pitch frustrating Schram but filling the bases. Logan Hayes then flew out for a sac fly RBI and Tumwater was on the board trailing 4-1. Jacob Dardano then came through with a big base hit knocking in 2 runs and after 5 the T-Birds were back in the game down 4-3.

Tumwater would get the equalizer when Milligan led off with a base hit. After a sac bunt from Wagar and a strike-out Jacob Crawford came through with an RBI single to bring home Milligan and tied the game at 4-4. This would also earn our ProActive Physical Therapy Play of the Game.

Hudson’s Bay battled back against the 2nd relief pitcher Nathan Walters for Tumwater. Maxwell led off with a base hit followed by a strike-out. Hammond would single again moving Maxwell to 3rd and took 2nd on the next pitch. Morse would be intentionally walked to load the bases with 1 out. Cuppy came to the plate and with a full count swung and missed, the ball was not caught cleanly by T-Bird catcher Jackson Davis but Cuppy argued he foul tipped the pitch. The umpire did not agree and called him out. After a consultation with the field umpire the call stood. During our broadcast we felt we also heard the ball foul tipped at the plate but the umpire did not hear it and the 2nd out was recorded. A fly-out would end the threat and we went to the bottom of the 7th tied.

The T-Birds with 1 out would get the winning run on with Noah Andrews singling. Logan Hayes then skied one to right field but Quaddy Teague the Eagles outfielder dropped the ball and Andrew and Hayes ended up on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. Bay intentionally walked Dardano to fill the bases with 1 out when Noah Sirkel came to the plate. The infield and outfield played in and all Sirkel had to do was lift a fly ball to the outfield and that’s exactly what he did. The catch was made and the throw home was not in time to catch the speedy Andrews and the T-Birds exploded from the dugout celebrating the unlikely comeback victory while the Eagles were stunned their 4-0 lead evaporated and their season was over.

Tumwater now plays on Tuesday at Ridgefield in the opening round of the District Tournament and they are guaranteed at least 2 more games of their season. Our Tommy Lowe of Greene Realty Players of the Game for Tumwater Jacob Crawford and for Hudson’s Bay Jake Hammond.

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