Once again, Kaden got us started on them mound throwing 4 shutout innings with seven strikeouts, running his streak to 7 consecutive scoreless innings. 
Sean came in to get a 1-2-3 5th inning, and then fought back. In the top of the sixth and final inning, after the A's scraped for 3 runs, to finish strong with a strikeout of the potential tying run to end the game. A great mentally tough game on the mound.In the field, the Cubs once again made the routine plays look routine and even made the spectacular plays look routine.
In centerfield, Zach turned on the jets to run down a hard hit ball in the alley in right-centerfield, made a beautiful pivot and fired a strike to Mario who slapped down a perfect tag to nail a runner trying to stretch a single into a double (See Photo to right). It was a picture perfect play. Kanade made a nice play a third base, Anon caught a pop up and had an assist at second base, and Michael and Sean once again wore the gear with pride behind the plate.At the plate, the Cubs did what needed to be done. Sean had two hits and scored two runs from the leadoff slot. Mario and Kaden and Zach each got on base and scored to round out the scoring. Anon showed good patience, walking twice. Kanade laid down a perfect bunt. Michael had an RBI and Matthew and Wyatt each hit the ball hard.
Offensively, the Cubs' strength in this game was on the bases. Smart and aggressive baserunning combined with good speed really paid dividends. It started with Sean legging out an infield single in the first inning and then making his way around the bases and scoring without the ball leaving the infield.
In the third inning, Zach with walked with one out and then promptly stole second, stole third and scored on a wild pitch (See Photo to right). In a wackey fourth inning play, with Sean on first, Mario hit a ball which the right fielder couldn't handle. Sean started to go from first to third, but stopped when the throw beat him and found himself in a rundown -- which he seemed to relish. However, one wild throw later, Sean was back on his horse, rounding third on his way to home. He slid under the tag for the Cubs' third run. All the while, Mario alertly ran all the way to third, rounded the bag and broke for home when the throw back to the pitcher went awry, scoring the Cubs' fourth run. The final run came as a result of even more smart and tough baserunning that same inning. With Kaden on second and Anon on first, Matthew hit a tough ground ball. The A's went for the out at first, with throw pulling the firstbaseman into the basepath. On a bang-bang play, Matthew was called out despite running hard down the line. In fact, Matthew ran so hard that he collided into the firstbaseman who had stepped in front of him on the base to catch the ball. As a result of the play, Kaden came all the way around to score, Anon made it to third, and scouts for the USC and UCLA football teams were asking who #52 for the Cubs was and wondering if he had any eligibility to play strong safety.Awards:
Energy: Matt, for running hard on and off the field despite his sprained ankle.
Effort: Zach, for his great hustle-play in CF and for stealing three bases; Kaden, for his four shut-out innings; and Mario, for coming all the way around to score on a bloop to right field.
Focus: Kanade, for his text-book bunt following the signs and Brandon for keeping our "in the hole" hitters on their toes about their jobs.
Physical Toughness: Matthew, for playing hard with no fear on his run down to first and in the field
Mental Toughness: Sean, for digging deep, focusing on the next pitch, and making sure the world knows who owns home plate.
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