Stockton Grizzlies - Telford Giants
Grizzlies Return to the Den!
Stockton Grizzlies- 16 Telford Giants- 14
Match report brought to you by Rugby Taekwondo Academy.
On Sunday 18th of May the Grizzlies returned back to ‘The Den’ where they hosted Telford Giants for their fourth game in West Midlands Baseball League.
The Grizzlies were led out by starting pitcher Albie Waterton and unfortunately started out shaky. With Waterton’s arm being a little wild the first batter for Giants took a walk to first. Things looked promising after the second batter was sent back to the dugout after a strikeout looking. However the Giants were able to capitalise on some mistakes made in the Grizzlies defence and at the first half of inning 1, Giants had put 5 runs on the scoreboard.
With this the Grizzlies had to answer back, and answer back they did! With lead off hitter Yasu Ohno hitting a single and making it to second on an overthrow from the Giants. Ryan Mushinski then followed strong with another single. The Grizzlies soon found the bases loaded with second baseman Ed Bird taking a hit by pitch to reach first. Humphrey Willshire drove in Yasu for the first run of the day for the Grizzlies by taking advantage of an error in the field. The Grizzlies were capitalizing and moving people around the bases and by the end of the first inning they were leading Grizzlies - 7 Giants - 5.
Unfortunately it wasn’t the best day out on the mound for starting pitcher Albie as in the second inning he struggled to find the zone and the Giants capitalized on this as well as some juggling in the field and managed to put 3 more runs on the scoreboard. This meant that after the top of inning two that the Giants had equalised the scoreboard making it Grizzlies - 7 Giants -7.
The Giants were switched on and in the bottom of two the Grizzlies couldn’t get their bats past their defense as it was three up and three down with Ryan, Ed and Humphrey.
Daz Williams who was leading the Grizzlies decided we needed new blood on the mound. With that some positional changes were made and Lu Choy took to the mound. With the first two batters he faced getting onto base, Lu soon warmed up as he sent the bottom of the order back to the dugout with a strikeout. However with some inconsistencies in the field Giants brought home two runs. However Lu didn’t let this faze him as he ended the inning on a strikeout, giving the team a much needed boost.
Fin Jackson was the first to reach base for the Grizzlies taking his second hit by pitch for the day, with the Grizzlies playing to get on base, we soon had the bases loaded and 2 runs added to the board. The Giants didn’t let this get to them, making their routine plays for easy outs on the bases.
After the third inning the score was tied again for the second time this game it was Grizzlies - 9 Giants - 9.
With the Grizzlies and the Giants having strong defensive innings there was no change to the score in the fourth inning.
It wasn’t the best day out for the Grizzlies defensively as fumbles in the field and some hard hit balls got past them in what is normally an incredible defense. Everyone has an off day…. The Grizzlies had to dig deep to get out of the inning and get the outs. After the Giants lead off batter crossed the plate this soon happened, ending the inning on a good play from second baseman Ed Bird to first baseman Albie Waterton to get out the inning with only 2 runs being scored by the Giants.
Daz called for patience at the plate and gave the Grizzlies the instruction to get on base. This they did with Albie Wateron and Lu Choy taking walks. Unfortunately Albie didn’t make it home due to being forced out at third. To follow on from this good start to the inning, Yasu Ohno got on base and Ryan Mushinski with his 2 ribbie single that brought the two runs home. This was the answer we needed to be back tied with the Giants. Ed Bird struck out and the inning was over. With the score being tied for a third time this game! Good game for the spectators eh?
After another struggle in the field with our defense after the top of 6 the Grizzlies saw themselves behind by 3 runs with the score now being Grizzlies - 11 Giants - 14.
The Grizzlies soon got back on track and got hitting again in the bottom of 6. With some patience at the plate the Grizzlies made their way onto the bases with Fin by another hit by pitch this game, (total of 3 hits by pitches and 3AB’s, you know that boy has some bruises after this one) The Grizzlies got into the groove with Octavio Leon with a single, a 2 RBI single from Luke Johnson, RBI single from Albie Waterotn and Yasu Ohno with another RBI single. The Grizzlies drove in 5 runs and finally took the lead in the game.
With that the umpire called for the last inning as the time rule came into effect. This would need to be a clean defensive inning. Could the Grizzlies keep the lead for this last inning to be able to end the game? Everyone understood the assignment.
The Grizzlies delivered. Another scoreless inning with the game ending on an awesome double play from Second baseman Ed Bird who whipped it to shortstop Yasu Ohno for the out at second who then gunned it to first baseman Albie Waterton to end it!
What a learning experience for the Grizzlies, with some errors made and lots to take into training they took the win! A big thank you to Telford Giants for a great game of baseball and we look forward to the return fixture later this season!
The Grizzlies now look ahead to next week where they have a break in the season and will be returning for another trip away on the 1st of June where we will be travelling to Worcester Sorcerers for game 5! Time to keep this winning streak going!
