Mosquitoes be damned!

With the growing threat of EEE and WNV, many neighboring towns have cancelled evening games making the original game schedule pretty much trash - and we've had to start all over again.  Week two brought about many changes to schedules, teammates, and locations.

First we must say goodbye and good luck to some of our more senior players as they move up to the more advanced teams.  Best wishes to Daniel, Jake, Marcus, and Will!

It was a beautiful weekend for baseball and we welcomed our new players to the team under glorious blue skies (as evidenced by my blazing pink forehead).  Aidan, Andrew, Calvin, and Dylan joined the Tornadoes just in time for our home opener against Oxford.  It was a tough match-up and despite the boys best efforts, it was the second loss for the Tornadoes.

But what do you do when you've fallen?  You get back up!  You try again!  You play harder!  That's just what this Sturbridge team did - and it paid off.

Charlton hosted our second game of the weekend and again the weather didn't disappoint.  There wasn't a cloud in sight and a calm cool breeze kicked up fallen leaves.  After a quick warm up, the boys filtered into the dugout awaiting instruction from Coach Yarter.   The first two innings saw idle bats and frustrated players.  Charlton scored three and the collective Sturbridge shoulders slumped.

Just then, in the midst of the third inning, with bases loaded, Roman slipped a grounder toward first base and the first Sturbridge runner crossed the plate.  GAME. ON.

Both teams held each other at bay in the fourth inning, and in the fifth - the Sturbridge bats exploded!  Matt popped one into right field landing him on first base - Conor answered with a hit of his own, and Sturbridge had two on.  Nick kept his eye on the ball and walked to first loading the bases for Roman.  This is what every kid waits for!  Roman came through and slammed one into the outfield.  Coach Yarter waved the boys in holding Roman at third as the ball was launched to the catcher.  Was he going to make it?  Could it be ... ? Those lanky legs slipped across the plate just as the catcher swiped Nick on the shoulder ... "OUT!"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

But it didn't matter - the boys had momentum.  And the score was tied.

Charlton answered with one of their own but our hometown boys held them and the teams changed sides.  This was it.  Their last ups.  Their last chance to score.  Dylan walked.  Little Papi walked.  Calvin put up a good fight, but lost the battle with three strikes.  Ryan WALKED.  Alex W-A-L-K-E-D!  As Dylan crossed the plate - the scoreboard equaled out for the second time.

Matt took to the plate and settled in to his stance.  Again, the bases were loaded.  This is every boy's DREAM!  With a solid hit, Matt easily headed to first bringing another Sturbridge run in.  Conor rammed one into the outfield and two more runners crossed the plate.  Nick grabbed his bat and bellied up.  Everyone was watching - could he deliver?  As the bat connected, the ball flew through the gap between first and second and Matt and Conor roared around the bases to score two more.  And just like that ... inning over - 5 runs scored - Mercy Rule.

Sturbridge - 8; Charlton - 4

Conor the Closer kept Charlton at bay in the bottom of the sixth with spot on pitching and a snagged drive back to the mound and the Sturbridge Tornadoes finally tasted victory.  Sweet, sweet victory.

Congratulations boys ... can't wait for the next one.

I hope I represented the plays accurately - if not, my apologies!
Oh, and I forgot to charge my camera, so no pictures from today either ... boooo.  If anyone has any shots they'd like to share, please email them to me so I can post them on the blog!