On offense, our table-setter, Mario, reached base all three times, with two walks and a single, and scored twice, showing great speed and awareness on the bases. Kaden also did his job to perfection in the number two slot, as he walked, singled and scored three times. Sean, in the clean up spot, did what a cleanup hitter should do, and then some, going 3-3 with 3 RBI and scored 3 times (see photo left). Michael, who batted third, had two hits, two RBIs and scored once. Matthew B. singled and drove in a run. Kanade walked, showed great speed on the bases, scored and had an RBI. Brandon rocked a base hit to the left side. 
Zach walked twice and showed good focus and speed on the bases (see photo right). Wyatt hit the ball hard on a ground out to short, Anon hit the ball hard twice and Matt L. put up a couple of good at bats. On the bases, Sean stole two bases on one pitch and and later scored from second on a single wild throw, and Zach motored around the bases as well.On defense, our pitchers were encouraged before the game to throw strikes and let our defense shine.
To back up those words, Anon made two nice plays at second base, one for a 4-3 putout (see photo right) and another getting the lead runner on a 4-6 assist to Sean covering second. Michael got things started in the first inning, catching two humpback liners at shortstop, drawing oooohs and ahhhhs from the crowd and helping Kaden to a remarkable 6 pitch first inning. Michael later made a very nice play on a ground ball to shortstop for the assist as he fired the ball to Matthew for the putout on a speedy runner. 
Sean made a nice play on a pop up at shortstop (see photo left) and Wyatt made a nice play on a ball at second base. In the outfield, Zach and Kanade each ran down a couple of balls and got them into the infield. On the mound, Kaden shut down the opposition, throwing three amazing shutout innings in only 34 pitches, striking out 5 -- exactly what the Cubs needed. Sean did his job, throwing strikes, getting routine ground balls, and giving up no earned runs. Mario came in and closed things out, striking out the side in the fifth inning and finishing the sixth inning for the save.
Awards:
Energy: (1) Michael, for getting our defense started with two diving plays at shortstop, causing the ESPN-sound DA-DA-DA .... DA-DA-DAAAAAH to go off,(2) Brandon, for beating out another base hit and (3) Zach, for his work on the bases, and his speed in Centerfield tracking down a hit and making a perfect throw to second base to put a play on a runner trying to stretch a hit into a double.
Effort: Kaden, getting 9 outs on 34 pitches, not to mention scoring 3 times in three at bats. That is efficient work.
Focus: Sean, who came up with runners on base and delivered each time with efficient at bats to drive in runs -- even when the opposition threw a little chin music his way.
Toughness: Matthew, who took a ball of the shin in warmups, but stuck it out to do yeoman's work at first base.
Teamwork: Anon who made a big personal sacrifice to come to the game for the team. Thank you, Anon!
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