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Croydon, May 23rd, 2004. The Mavericks somehow managed to lose a game that looked like theirs for the taking, blowing 3 run, 4 run and 3 run leads in the game, and also out hitting the opposition 22-11. The game ended with the tying run only 90 feet from home plate, but a tactical blunder saw Nick Jolly stranded on the on deck circle, as the final out was made. It was even suggested that there is currently a curse on the Mavericks, that prevents them scoring runs after 2pm on a Sunday, as all but one of their runs came before this time, which was only one less that all the runs scored after 2pm this season put together! Obviously finding the
morning start to their liking, the Mavericks started well, taking a 3
run lead in the first inning which included a 2 run double from Castor
Maduro.
The Mavericks somewhat
fortuitously nudged ahead again in the second, as Rob Shaw came round to
score on a 2 out error, but stretched the lead to 4 runs in the top of
the third.
This allowed the Pirates to come right back into the game, as they tied things up in the bottom of the third, at 7 a piece, as the bottom half of their order came up trumps, albeit aided by 3 walks. In fact the Mavericks did contribute in part to their own downfall, misplaying a pop up on the infield, and not coming up with some of the plays that the Croydon defence did. A couple more walks in the bottom of the 4th allowed the Pirates to take the lead for the first time in the game, but the Mavericks came right back in the fifth, as Michael Burdett, Tomas Diaz and Castor Maduro all drove in runs, and Ross Pennington helped himself out, with an 2-run single, which gave him a 12-9 lead the next time he took the mound. Unfortunately this also wasn't to last, as the Pirates came right back in the bottom of the inning and tied at 12. This time the 3 runs came from a single base hit, but some good baserunning by the Pirates allowed them to advance the runners around to score. This was to prove to be the last time the Mavericks held the lead, as Croydon took the lead for good, scoring twice on a couple of hits and 3 errors in the 7th inning. The Mavericks had been blanked in both the 6 and 7th innings, and unfortunately also lost starting catcher Heather Armstead who hurt her back saving a wild pitch an inning earlier. They say white men might can't jump, but catchers definitely can't run, although unfortunately this time it was the injury to the back that caused Heather to start her slide about 10ft too soon! As she said afterwards "It's a strange feeling when all of a sudden you legs won't go anywhere"……Heather - now you now why us experienced players play the outfield! The Mavericks were able to pull a run back in the top of the 8th on an RBI triple from Tomas Diaz, but again left a runner stranded just 90 feet from the plate. The Pirates were shut out in the bottom half of the inning, which meant the Mavericks needed a single run to tie the game, going into the ninth. Ben Mullard grounded out to start the inning, but Ross Pennington who had pitched the whole game for the Mavericks, singled and stole second, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Ally Carr then popped one up on the infield, and Marty Poulter pinch hitting for substitute catcher Dominic Phillipo, managed to stay alive, fouling off 4 or 5 pitches, before eventually going down on strikes to end the game. This had been one of the better performances this season, but ultimately some better defence by Croydon, and the number of walks the Pirates batters were able to eke out, proved the deciding factor. The Mavericks had contributed to an entertaining game, and also did the best to curtail it somewhat earlier than planned by losing a number of balls down the left field line, but in the end dropped their 4th straight. However, things are moving in the right direction, as each week has seen more runs scored and less given up! Maverick MVP: Ross Pennington |
In actual fact, the Mavericks really should have held that lead
in the bottom of the first, but a couple of close calls, and some
indecision on a ground ball up the middle, allowed the Pirates to claw
their way back into the game, scoring 3 times themselves to even it up,
after one.
In fact it should have been a lot more, as following on from
an RBI from Heather Armstead and a Gavin Tunnell single, and with the
top of the order coming up with only one out, the Mavericks left runners
stranded at second and third, as the next two batter flied out to centre
and grounded out to third.
