Challengers 14, Mustangs 4

The second game was, to be perfectly honest, rather boring. The Challengers once again dominated, winning a mercy-shortened 14-4 game in six innings, but by that time it was REALLY hot, and also I didn't get to start the second game, which, combined with the hamburger I'd eaten during the break, sort've put a damper on my energy level (After the line-ups were announced, Zingg told the team that the big bats were left on the bench, which really made me laugh. It was like me, Renzo, Ryan Koley and Andreas Rüdisühli...not exactly the '27 Yankees).

The game was somewhat close over the first 3 innings, as the Challengers got out to a 5-2 lead. On the hill for the second game, Azuma only gave up 1 hit through three, but a tight (and wildly changing) strike zone allowed several Mustang batters to reach base via walks. The C's broke the game open in the fourth, pushing across 7 runs and sending 10 men to the plate. With runners on first and third and one out, Embrach had a chance to get out of the inning without any runs being scored. Nepomuceno hit a grounder to the shortstop, who flipped to second in time to force Azuma at second - or so it seemed. For some reason, Azuma was ruled safe at second (I asked Yusuke afterwards how he was called safe there and his response: I don't know). Not only was there no force called, the relay throw to first was too late to get Carlos. Instead of a double play and no runs scored, no outs were recorded on the play, Kovac scored from third, and there were still runners on first and second. Three walks and two singles later, 6 more runs had crossed the plate and the game, for all intents and purposes, was over. Azuma allowed just one more run, and the Challengers added three more of their own, accounting for the final 15-3 score. Juan de la Rosa was the hitting star, with 4 RBIs, two doubles, and two runs scored.

So, on a steamy afternoon, the Challengers made coach Rob Sedin (absent that day due to an NLA-conflict) look prophetic (as opposed to merely innumerate) by running their record to 11-0. Unlike Wednesday's game, the offense was much better and there were fewer defensive lapses--although still far too many. The other issue that cropped up (again) was a lack of attention being paid to game situations, particularly on the base paths. Everyone needs to remember (some more than others) that just because it looks like a routine play doesn't mean that the play will actually be made - and thus not running hard will have no consequences. It takes zero skill to hustle, all you have to do is try. It will be something to keep in mind as the Challengers head towards the playoffs.

by Alex Gordon