ILLC Semi-Final Round Game 1 (May 21) vs. Astros

Playing their fourth game in 8 days, the Irvine Cubs' bats once again led the way tonight in the Cubs' 10-4 win over the Astros in the first game of the Semi-Final round of the Irvine City Championship -- a game that was closer than the final score indicated.

Mario was the perfect lead-off hitter tonight -- and led off three separate innings. He looked at a lot of pitches, worked counts, and finished 3 for 3 with three runs scored. Mario added great baserunning, stealing an extra base after one of his hits when the pitcher dropped a throw-in from one of his fielders. Kaden walked twice and scored both times. Michael, who reached base all three times up, drove in four runs and scored twice, ripped a bomb down the right field line, dusting the chalk for an inside the park home run which gave the Cubs the lead that they would not relinquish. Sean hit the ball hard twice with a single, a run-scored and an RBI on the night. Anon hit the ball hard, scored a run and drove one in. Kanade ripped a hard single to left and scored during the key 5-run outburst in the third inning. Matthew B. hit the ball hard all three times up, did some great situational hitting in the third, driving in Kanade from third and moving Anon to second with a ground ball (just what the coaches asked for) and hit a rocket to right field in the fifth. Wyatt hit the ball hard three times, with two singles -- the second a key two-out hit that drove in a run -- and almost a third hit in the fifth inning. Matt L. walked once, Brandon barely missed another hit on a good play by the Astros shortstop, and Zach put some good swings up in two at-bats.

On defense, special recognition goes to our catchers -- often the forgotten men out there. Our catchers know they are "brick walls" and think of their body as impenetrable force fields. One of our catchers, who shall remain nameless, in full gear, got things started even before the game began in the dugout, creating a force-field of sorts (I can't say more, because what happens in the dugout stays in the dugout). In the first inning, Sean got things started by throwing out a potential base-stealer at third (actually two, but only one was called). Michael and in particular Kaden also did a good job blocking pitches to keep runners from advancing. Nice job, catchers.

In addition to our catcher, Mario made two very nice plays at third base, Kaden made a nice play at pitcher on a hard hit grounder, Matthew caught three pop ups at first base, and Anon made two nice plays at second -- fielding a smash grounder in the third inning (with his stomach getting an assist) and snagging a hard liner in the fourth inning -- a play that saved two runs and the Cubs' momentum. Zach and Brandon each tracked down balls in the outfield.

It was testing week last week in the Irvine Public Schools. On the mound in this game, our pitchers were all tested, and all passed the test. Kaden started us
off, survived the first inning where two seeing-eye "swinging bunts" led to minimal damage, and then closed things out in the second and part of the third. Mario closed out the third and fought hard in the fourth inning to overcome a couple of defensive challenges behind him. Michael came in, took a few batters to find his release point, closed out the fourth, and then threw shutout innings in the fifth and sixth to close out the game. All in all our pitchers scattered seven hits and showed good toughness in overcoming adversity to finish each outing strong. Nice job.

Awards:
Energy: Matt L.: Matt had a nice steal of second -- and was on his way to a steal of third too, but thought better of it when saw Wyatt standing on the base and hustled back to second. Matt also ran hard in our pre-game and post-game workouts.
Effort: Wyatt. His 2-3 at the plate was impressive. But even more impressive than those great results was the effort he gave at the plate. His second hit was a key two-out RBI single and required him to run hard down the line to beat it out. In fact, he hustled hard all three times he hit the ball.
Focus: Mario. In addition to his three hits, three runs scored, stellar play at third, and good pitching, the highlight of the game was a subtle one -- taking the extra base when the pitcher dropped a throw-in from his fielder. Mario had rounded first after a single, was anticipating the play, and when the opportunity arose, exploded to second base. In a two-second play, it showed energy, effort and most obviously, focus. Nice job.
Physical Toughness: Anon. Coaches tell players to put their bodies in front of ground and block the ball with their chests and stomach if there is a bad hop. Players then think to themselves, "easy for you to say." Well, Anon got himself in front of a hard ground ball, fielded it with the help of his stomach, and recorded the out. Excellent toughness.
Mental Toughness: Kaden, Mario and Michael: Each had challenges on the mound, and each battled through them. Pitching is a unique position -- out there on an island. It requires many skills, but perhaps the most important: a short memory. Nice jobs, pitchers.