Stockton Grizzlies - Long Eaton Chasers

Grizzlies Away Run continues!

Stockton Grizzlies- 24 Long Eaton Chasers - 2

Match report brought to you by Rugby Taekwondo Academy.

This past weekend the Grizzlies continued their away run by travelling to Long Eaton Chasers.

The Grizzlies started out shaky with shortstop Yasu taking advantage of a dropped third strike and making it to first base to start the inning. He then quickly capitalised with some smart baserunning, putting himself in a good position to take an early lead for the team by getting himself round to third- some pressure for Chasers early in the inning with no outs. The next five batters got on base with singles, and The Grizzlies were connecting well against a pitcher who was filling up the strike zone with some pace, however we were putting in lots of competitive at bats, keeping that pressure strong. In the top of the first inning the Grizzlies managed to get through the whole of the order before the end of the inning came and tallied six runs in their favour- good start.

It was time to hit the field being led by fearless pitcher Lu Choy. Choy didn’t mess around as he showed the Chasers what to expect when he sent the first batter back to the dugout with a strikeout looking on a beautiful slider. Unfortunately the next batter was able to secure an infield single with the throw being just a little behind the runner from 3rd baseman Willshire to 1st baseman John Lutz for a bang bang play. It was nice to have an infield umpire for once too, big up Chaser’s for that decision! The second out for the Grizzlies came from 3rd baseman Humphrey Willshire which was a beautiful line drive catch on a purely survival play- cat like reflexes from that man. After Chasers hit deep into the outfield bringing their runner on base home the inning was soon over as centre fielder Ryan Mushinski made the throw to Ohno to get the tag out at second.

At the end of the first inning the scoreboard was Grizzlies - 6 Chasers - 1

With the Grizzlies and the Chasers having strong defensive innings there was no change to the score in the second inning.

The Grizzlies soon got back on track and got hitting again in the top of the third. Willshire starting the inning strong again getting on base from a dropped third strike- Chaser’s catcher doing a good job with firm pitches in the dirt, ultimately couldn’t get them all. Left fielder Fin Jackson was next to the plate making solid contact with the ball and flew round the bases for an in park homerun after some slow throws in from Chasers. The Grizzlies weren’t done though as catcher Luke Johnson hit hard for a ground rule double (he did actually run this time…..) The Grizzlies added another 3 runs to the scoreboard in the top of inning 3, giving some good breathing room.

In the bottom of the third Chasers had runners on the corners with no outs. Surely they can get some runs to eat into the deficit right? It was the cowboy duo at it again- first baseman John Lutz; who made an unassisted double play at first, catching a popup in foul territory before turning back to one to get the reverse force out on the runner. He then whipped it to catcher Luke Johnson at home for the triple play on the tag. If there was ever a way to fire everyone up- it has to be a triple play….

In the fourth and fifth inning the Grizzlies kept showing their capability at the plate and adding more runs onto the scoreboard. And with some solid defense work at the end of inning 5 the score was Grizzlies - 14 Chasers - 2.

The Grizzlies were in mercy rule territory for the second week in a row, all they needed was to put three more runs on the board and keep up a solid defense and the game would be called, a good away stint before returning to the Den.

This seemed to be a non-starter with the first two plate appearances leading to two outs, however a two out hitting streak was about to unfold. The Grizzlies batted through the order and everyone in the lineup scoring a run, put the score well out of reach for Chasers. Some stand-out hits coming from Lutz with a double, Willshire with a 2 RBI double and Jackson with another 1 RBI ground rule double. This brought the scoreboard to Grizzlies - 24 Chasers -2.

All it would take to get early leave of duty and a free Sunday afternoon was some clean defensive play.

The Grizzlies delivered. Another scoreless inning with pitcher Lu Choy sending the last out back to the dugout with a strikeout looking (great sequencing from our catcher I reckon…..) A second mercy rule in two weeks- at the end of the sixth inning. Final score Grizzlies - 24 Chasers - 2.

What an exciting game from the Grizzlies, with some plays you don’t see very often, if at all on a diamond. A big thank you to Long Eaton Chasers for hosting us and providing a great day of baseball and we look forward to seeing them at ‘The Den’ later this season!

The Grizzlies now look ahead to next week where they will be returning back to ‘The Den’ to host Telford Giants. Time to defend the home turf!