Cardinals vs Port Washington

The Cardinals took on the Pythons from Port Washington, an older and more experienced team of 11 and 12 year olds. Despite losing both games by scores of 7-0 and 5-1, the Cardinals played very well on the defensive side of the ball and pitched very well, giving up only 4 hits in the first game and only two in the 2nd. The Pythons scored most of their runs on walks, stolen bases and a couple of errors. Once we gain more experience, the walks will diminish as will the stolen bases - errors as we know, are part of the game.

Offensively, the Cardinals continue to put the ball in play, striking out only 3 times in game one and 6 times in the 2nd game.

Defensively, the boys continued to flash some leather, with Matt Schumacher and Kyle Carroll playing well up the middle and Chris Sarni putting in a solid 5 innings behind the plate in game one. In game two, pitcher Ryan Fama spoiled an attempted suicide squeeze by jumping on the bunt and making a perfect toss to catcher Matt Schumacher, who applied the tag. Two innings later, Chris Sarni snared a hard line drive at 2nd and turned two, with Nick Schoen recording the putout. After a 2 out walk, a Python single moved the runner to third. The batter tried to advance to 2nd on the throw, but 3rd baseman Kyle Carroll fired the ball to shortstop Kyle Cashman covering 2nd, who applied the tag for the final out. In the 6th a lead off single to right was turned into an out as Anthony Wallitsch fired the ball in for the putout to first baseman Nick Schoen.

The lone Cardinal run came in the 4th. With two outs, Nick Schoen walked and promptly stole 2nd. On ball four to Michael Reilly, Schoen took off for 3rd sliding in ahead of the tag. On the throw, Reilly continued on to 2nd base. The Pythons threw on to 2nd, with Reilly sliding in ahead of the throw and Schoen speeding home for the run.

Matt Tsotras continued to play well in the outfield and Brian Moorehead put in several solid innings at first base.

As for the pitchers, Dylan MacDonald threw 2 1/3 innings of shut out ball in game 1 and Michael Reilly pitched 3 innings of shut out ball in game two.

The Coach Carroll Players of the Game were Dylan MacDonald, who came on in the 4th inning of game 1 and shut the Pythons down and Nick Schoen who was on base twice, scored a run, dropped down a sacrifice bunt and played excellent defense at first base.

Next Practice :
Thursday 9/20 - 5pm at Giese Park. Coach Cashman and Coach Sarni will run practice, as I will be in San Diego on business.

Next Game:
Sunday 9/23 - Time and place to be determined. I will follow with an e-mail. Coaches Cashman and Sarni will run the game on Sunday as well, as I will, be at the Jet/Dolphin game with Kyle and my son James.

Good luck boys - see you the week of the 24th.

Coach Carroll