Ken's needed eight innings to take an 8-7 lead over host Met Market in a key Queen Anne Little League divisional match-up.
It was a tough battle all the way.
Ken's took the early lead with two runs in the top half of the first. Met answered in their first at-bat plating two to tie the game. Ken's added three more in the second which Met countered with two runs in their half of the second.
Ken's then added what seemed to be key insurance runs with two more in the third to lead the Checkers 7-4. That set the stage for Met's dramatic two-out rally in the bottom of the sixth.
Nick Nishi walked to start the sixth. He was thrown out at second on Adam Schooler-Reed's grounder to short. Schooler-Reed was then gunned down at second on a grounder by Luke Wicks. With Wicks on first, a bunt single by Joe Volk followed by a single by lead-off hitter Jake Cameron loaded the bases. Catcher Colin Thompson walked forcing in a run bringing No. 3 hitter Davis Lohman to the plate with two-outs and the sacks full.
Lohman laced a solid double to left center easily scoring Wicks and Cameron. Thompson was nailed at the plate on an attempt to score the winning run sending the game into extra innings.
Cameron started the game for Met and pitched three strong innings. Long reliever Lucas Ford took over in the fourth and mowed down the Baggers and kept Met in the game until the fateful eighth when Ken's scored on a bases loaded fielders choice.
"We showed character today," veteran Thompson said. "We battled all the way. It ain't over til it's over right? I believe another catcher made that up. It would have been nice if things went our way, but that's baseball."
Met showed solid defense by turning two, rally-killing double plays. Met was lead at the plate by Lohman's single and double, and Adam Schooler-Reed's two singles.
Met next visits VI on Wednesday.
Box Score
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 R
Ken's 2 3 2 0 0 0 0 1 8
Met 2 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 7
MET CONTINUES INTERLEAGUE WIN STREAK
Met Market's pitching continues to shine as the Checkers took a convincing 6-3 win over visiting Goodman Racing of Magnolia.
Starter Davis Lohman and long reliever Jake Cameron kept the visiting Racers in check by allowing only three hits and striking out fourteen.
"They were on their game," said veteran outfielder Adam Schooler-Reed of Lohman and Cameron. "Davis had some arm issues recently but he looked sharp and had great velocity. Jake took up where Davis left off by striking out the first two batters he faced to end the inning. Did you see those guys just wave their bats at Jake's yacker in the dirt"?
Met Market jumped on Goodman Racing in the home half of the first sending eight young men to the plate scoring four times. The offensive highlight was a two-RBI inside-the-park four bagger by infielder Lucas Ford in the third.
With first baseman Drew Higgins on first, Ford stroked a shot to left which made it all the way to the outfield fence. Higgins scored easily. Ford's aggressive base running paid off as he steamed around third and scored when the throw to the plate eluded the Racer's catcher.
"Man, I think I need new uniform pants," said Ford. "I slid hard at the plate and got my knee torn up a bit. One big Band-Aid and I was good to go."
Met Market next hosts 5-Spot on Tuesday.
Box Score
1 2 3 4 5 6 R
Gdm Rc. 0 0 0 0 0 3 3
Met 4 0 2 0 0 0 6
HIGGINS SHUTS DOWN THE ISLERS
It was a beautiful day for spring baseball as Met Market starter Drew Higgins nearly went the distance in Met's 4-0 win over host Video Isle.
Higgins scattered four hits through five-and-two-third shutout innings to earn the victory. David Lohman faced one batter in the sixth when Higgins reached his pitch limit.
"DH (Higgins) was tough again," said outfielder Detlef Nelson. "We know when he's pitching because it gets real quiet out there (in the outfield). He's got good command of his fastball and he keeps hitters off balance with a good breaking pitch. I'm glad I don't have to face him."
Met's offense jumped on VI starter Andrew Ross early with two first-inning scores after two outs. Lohman reached on an error followed by a Higgins single. Three consecutive walks plated Lohman and Higgins.
Met continued to put pressure on VI pitching throughout the game. Rookie Alex Jahn hit a rocket to center for his first big league hit in the top half of the fourth.
"Coach asked me if that felt good", said an elated Jahn. "Quite frankly I didn't feel a thing. I was seeing the ball well today, and I just timed the fastball over the plate. I could get used to this".
Met Market next hosts Goodman Racing of Magnolia on Saturday.
Box Score
1 2 3 4 5 6 R
Met 2 0 0 0 2 0 4
Vid Isle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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