Stockton Grizzlies - Stourbridge Titans

The Grizzlies continue at The Den for Game 9!

Stockton Grizzlies- 17 Stourbridge Titans - 1

Match report brought to you by Rugby Taekwondo Academy.

On Sunday 6th of July the Grizzlies hosted Stourbridge Titans for the ninth game in the West Midlands Baseball League.

The Grizzlies took to the field with Yasu Ohno leading from the mound, under skies that couldn’t decide between rain or sunshine. With the sun breaking through, the game got underway.

It was a slow start defensively, as the Stourbridge Titans managed to get their leadoff runner on base. The first out came shortly after, when Humphrey Wilshire fielded a ground ball at third and made a clean throw to Albie Waterton at first for the out.

The Titans continued to pressure, getting another runner on, but the Grizzlies responded with a key tag-out at third. However, a passed ball and a fielding error allowed the Titans to plate their first run of the game before the Grizzlies closed out the top of the inning—limiting the damage to just one run.

When it was the Grizzlies' turn at the plate, things also got off to a tentative start. Ryan Mushinski reached base on an error but was later tagged out at third. Rob Cummings followed with the Grizzlies’ first hit of the game, a clean single, and was soon joined on base by Yasu Ohno, who reached on another Titans fielding error.

With two outs on the board, Tom Bowen stepped up and delivered a deep shot to the outfield. The Titans fielder mishandled it, allowing both Cummings and Ohno to cross the plate. Bowen made it safely to second, but the inning came to a close with Harrison Lowe grounding out.

End of the 1st Inning: Grizzlies – 2, Titans – 1 A scrappy start from both teams, but the Grizzlies edged ahead early!

The Grizzlies continued to assert themselves in the field with another strong defensive effort. The inning opened with shortstop Harrison Lowe making a clean catch to retire the first Titans batter.

Though the Titans managed to get two runners on base due to defensive errors, the Grizzlies quickly shut down the threat with an outstanding infield play. A ground ball back to Lowe set things in motion — he threw to second baseman Octavio Leon for the force out, who then fired across the diamond to third baseman Humphrey Wilshire, tagging the advancing runner to complete a slick double play. A textbook defensive sequence to end the top of the inning.

With confidence riding high, the Grizzlies took to the plate ready to extend their lead. Albie Waterton led off with a solid double, followed by Luke Johnson, who continued the pressure with a single, putting two on base. Octavio Leon worked a walk to load the bases.

Then came Rob Cummings, who came through yet again with a 2-RBI single, scoring both Waterton and Johnson. Just as the Grizzlies looked poised for a big inning, the weather had other ideas — a clap of thunder signaled a rain delay, and play was suspended for 20 minutes as heavy rain swept across the field.

When play resumed under clearing skies, Yasu Ohno drew a walk to reload the bases. A force out at home plate prevented Octavio Leon from scoring, though it allowed Humphrey Wilshire to reach base on a fielder’s choice. The inning ended shortly after, with the bases still loaded and more runs left on the table.

End of the 2nd Inning: Grizzlies – 4, Titans – 1

The Grizzlies continued to showcase their defensive consistency in the top of the third with Yasu Ohno remaining on the mound and keeping composure under pressure. The first out came quickly, as first baseman Albie Waterton confidently secured a popup in foul territory.

The Titans managed to get a runner on base with a walk, but the Grizzlies responded sharply. A deep shot into right field looked dangerous, but right fielder Rob Cummings tracked it down and made a solid catch for the second out. A hit-by-pitch followed as one of Yasu’s breaking balls failed to break, putting another Titans runner aboard.

Still, the Grizzlies held strong. The inning ended as Albie Waterton made another clean play at first base for the third out. Another scoreless frame for the Titans — their second shutout inning of the game — and the Grizzlies were ready to respond at the plate.

And respond they did.

The bottom of the inning saw an offensive explosion from the Grizzlies, as they launched a dominant rally that pushed the game toward mercy rule contention.

It all began with Harrison Lowe reaching base on an error by the Titans infield. With smart baserunning, Lowe made his way to third, setting the tone for the inning. Albie Waterton then delivered an RBI single, scoring Lowe and keeping the momentum rolling.

Next up, Luke Johnson reached on another Titans fielding error, and Ryan Mushinski followed with a clean single to load the bases. Rob Cummings showed patience at the plate and drew a walk, putting even more pressure on the Titans.

Then came a crucial hit: Yasu Ohno smashed an RBI ground-rule double to right field, bringing Mushinski home. Cummings also crossed the plate moments later, capitalizing on yet another Titans defensive miscue.

With the bases still moving, Humphrey Wilshire took a pitch off the body but stayed composed and took his base, loading the bases once again. Tom Bowen stepped in next and drove an RBI double, scoring Ohno. The Grizzlies were on fire.

As the lineup flipped, Harrison Lowe came to bat once again and added an RBI single, scoring Wilshire. Then, Albie Waterton came up with the big hit of the inning — a 2-RBI single that brought home Bowen and Lowe to cap off a phenomenal offensive display.

In total, 10 runs crossed the plate for the Grizzlies in a game-defining inning that demonstrated smart baserunning, consistent contact, and capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes.

End of the 3rd Inning: Grizzlies – 14, Titans – 1 The Grizzlies delivered the rally they needed — and then some — putting themselves firmly in command.

With changes made on the Titans’ side, their leadoff batter reached second base after taking advantage of a Grizzlies fielding error. However, that would be the extent of their offensive success in the inning.

The Grizzlies quickly shut the door on any momentum.

The first out came on a ball hit deep into left field, where Tom Bowen made a composed and reliable catch. Yasu Ohno, still commanding the mound, followed with a strikeout looking, freezing the Titans batter and sending him back to the dugout. The final out of the inning came from a popup in the infield, which was safely caught by second baseman Octavio Leon, capping off another scoreless defensive effort for the Grizzlies.

With the score sitting at Grizzlies 14 – Titans 1, the home side was now chasing just two more runs to activate the 5-inning mercy rule and secure a walk-off win.

Leading off the bottom of the inning was Ryan Mushinski, who showed discipline at the plate and drew a walk to first. Rob Cummings followed and mirrored that patience, also drawing a walk to put two on base.

Yasu Ohno was the first out of the inning, and Humphrey Wilshire grounded out soon after—but not without doing his job, bringing Mushinski across the plate for an RBI and edging the Grizzlies closer to the target.

Next up, Tom Bowen stepped in and delivered again, hitting an RBI single to bring in another run and keep the rally alive. That marked the 15th run and brought the game to within one run of mercy rule victory.

Just as momentum was building, the heavens opened again and forced the umpire to call a rain delay. After a short break, the sun returned and so did the Grizzlies.

With play resumed, Harrison Lowe came up big with an RBI single, scoring Bowen and pushing the lead to 17–1. The inning came to a close soon after, but not before the Grizzlies had tallied 3 runs—more than enough to place them in mercy rule territory with a comfortable 16-run lead.

Now it was up to the Grizzlies’ defense to hold strong and close out the game.

As the Grizzlies took to the field for the top of the fifth inning, they knew exactly what was at stake: three outs stood between them and a mercy rule victory. With a commanding 16-run lead, all they needed was a clean inning to close out the game—and they delivered in style.

The inning started with a ball hit into right field, where Rob Cumming remained composed and tracked it down for the first out. One up, one down.

Next, the Titans batter grounded one toward shortstop Harrison Lowe, who made a sharp, accurate throw to first baseman Albie Waterton to record the second out. Two up, two down.

With the crowd and dugout holding their breath, the final batter stepped up. A routine grounder was hit to third baseman Humphrey Wilshire, who calmly fielded the ball and made the throw to Waterton at first, who secured the final out.

1–2–3 inning. Game over.

The Grizzlies wrapped up a dominant performance both at the plate and in the field, executing perfectly when it mattered most to secure a mercy rule win over the Titans.

Final Score: Grizzlies 17 – Titans 1

The Grizzlies did it! Leading from start to finish, they secured a walk-off victory at the bottom of the fifth inning, invoking the mercy rule to cap off a commanding performance at home.

It was a standout game for the Grizzlies, with pitcher Yasu Ohno delivering a masterclass on the mound—conceding just one run over five innings. Backed by a sharp and unified defense, and relentless offense, the team never let up.

Despite unpredictable weather bringing rain delays and brief pauses in momentum, the Grizzlies stayed composed and focused. Their strong showing both defensively and offensively ensured they stayed in control throughout the game.

Now, the team heads into the All-Star break on a high. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to Octavio Leon and Harrison Lowe, who will represent the Grizzlies at the All-Star Game in Wolverhampton, hosted by the Wolves.

The rest of the squad will enjoy a well-earned break before returning to action at The Den on Saturday, July 20th, when they will host the Birmingham Bats in what promises to be another thrilling league matchup.