Southampton, 23rd May

The first day in the sun this season turned out to be one which will surely be talked about for months to come. Temperatures were said to be in the low to mid 30’s without a cloud in the sky. So Guildford show up to the field at 10 am and started to warm up. Noticing it was a little strange that no players from Southampton have even arrived. After BP it was brought to our attention that the game had been re-scheduled for 2 pm.  In the end it started around half past one. Knowing this would be a tough game additional stretching and warm-ups were held prior to the actual start. 

Mavericks started off strong scoring in the first with RBI from Chris Larry and John Kristensen. A wild pitch allowed a third runner to score. Heading to the bottom of the first the score was 3-0 in favor of Guildford. Southampton went down fast with 2 groundouts (the first of which almost knocked the wind out of last minute starting first baseman Matt Bruce as the throw pulled him inside the line which led to a collision. Brucey managed to hold on for the out applying the tag before the runner was able to reach. John K. Struck out the next batter to end the inning. It should be mentioned that due to James “Oral B” Guerra’s Aaron Boone esque injury playing football the night before cost him a chance to play in this game.

The second saw Mavericks plate four more with Thom Doggett starting things off with a real hustle triple. RBI from Jeremy Able, C. Larry  John K. and M. Bruce. Things were looking as sunny as the sky for the Blues going into the bottom of the 2^nd. As expected the Mustangs still had some fight in them plating 6 runs in a very long 2^nd. The third saw Guildford down 1-2-3 as Southampton Pitcher Norman found his control, starting to throw his curveball for strikes.  This reporter has not kept track of the other team’s runs by inning but it is safe to say that they took the lead in the bottom of the third.

Top of the 4^th saw the visitors plate only one run. After Matt “jinja ninja” Sheridan singled he promptly stole both 2^nd and 3^rd. John K’s 3^rd RBI scored him.  Southampton continued to tack on runs extending their lead. The fifth inning saw no runs plated for the Mav’s. It was starting to look a little gloomy for the team as Norman was really in form at this point (finishing with 11 strikeouts and just 3 walks for the game) keeping batters off balance with a mix of well spotted fastballs and a late breaking ball. It was at this point in the bottom of the 5^th that Mustangs had their largest lead of the game standing at five runs. On to the sixth another run for Mavericks with C. Larry single and yet another RBI from John K. Unfortunately Brucey was frozen on a 2 strike curveball that broke right over the middle of the plate to end the threat. At this time it was asked that John empty the tank in the 6^th so Brucey could warm up to come in to pitch in the 7^th. He did not disappoint setting the Mustangs down 1-2-3 helped by a spectacular juggling catch from RF Thom Doggett who promptly threw in to double up the runner on first. This play certainly set a fire under the team going into the top of the 7^th inning down by 4 runs.

     Rob Wheeler started it off with a single and quickly stole 2^nd and third. After a pop out from Ben Stobart RF replacement Gregg Yates singled him in. A single from Doggett and RBI hits from J. Abel and Matt Sheridan saw the lead cut to one. Chris Larry picked up yet another hit to load the bases for none other than Mr. 4 RBI to this point John K. On the first pitch he launched one down the 3^rd base line for a three run double. For a team that looked exhausted from the sun the previous inning the second wind (or possibly third) was stronger than the first. Matt Bruce popped to the pitcher Norman who promptly dropped the ball allowing him to reach base. A daring double steal was pulled off by the runners. Rob W then popped up to short. Things got a little odd after that after a walk to G. Yates a wild pitch allowed John K to score and Bruce to advance to third. Southampton’s catcher attempted to pick off Yates at first. For whatever reason the first baseman turned his back to the field and the catcher walked about halfway toward the pitcher’s mound. With time not called Brucey alertly broke for home. By the time Mustangs realized what had happened he was already across home plate. The inning ended with Guildford turning a four run deficit into a 3 run lead.

Matt Bruce came into pitch and allowed one run striking out 2 for the inning. The 8^th saw for the first time in the game no runs scored for either team as both defenses made some terrific plays to help their respected pitchers out.

     Moving to the top of the ninth it was agreed some insurance was needed to put the game out of reach. The Godelming Growlers did not disappoint.  Bruce got it started with a one out single and advanced on a wild pitch. Gregg Yates then singled moving Brucey to third. After stealing second things once again got a little strange. Listening a little too carefully to 3^rd base coach and manager Phil Nathan telling Yates to look at him he broke for third. With third already occupied the catcher ran up the line. Yates then promptly ran back towards second. Watching the catcher continue to run him back toward second base Bruce saw home plate completely empty and trotted home waving to the defense as he crossed home plate for his second steal of home in the same game. Gregg Y did manage to steal third after that. Doggett then reached on an error by the third baseman and Ben Stobart walked. Abel then drove in Yates with another hit. Sheridan picked up yet another setting the table for Chris Larry to drive in 2 more with a clutch single with 2 outs. Mavericks went to the bottom of the ninth leading by 8 runs.

Bruce allowed 2 more runs in the inning though after runners were reaching base he was allowing them to steal telling the infielders not to hold them and focus on the batter. With 2 outs he struck out the final batter of the game to seal the deal and pick up the save. Guildford had won in true dramatic fashion.

John K really did stand out in this game pitching 6 innings for the win and driving in 7 runs for the game. This truly was a team victory as everyone contributed both in the field and at the plate. For this reporter it was the most rewarding victory of the season. So in the end after 7+ hours the sunburned Guildford Mavericks met up in the pub for a couple of beers and travelled home with smiles on faces.

Looking ahead Mav’s Travel to Bracknell next to try to avenge 3 losses to them from last season. This reporter boldly states that if the team plays like this for the rest of the season they are an unbeatable side.

Thanks to Markus Hunter for the report