Tuesday Mar. 16, 2010

Panther Creek once again beats an under performing Green Hope 6-4

Shambley leads off game with a single

Josam scores on Shambley's sac-fly

One of many Green Hope errors

Sondag pitched well but took the loss

If Panther Creek could choose an opponent to play every game against, clearly they would chose Green Hope. Even when the Panthers were struggling though 0-24 seasons, their closest games were played against Green Hope. Their first ever Tri-9 conference win came against Green Hope and they have now won the last 2 meetings against Green Hope. The story is always the same, Green Hope doesn't capitalize on their scoring chances, doesn't get solid pitching or makes a key defensive mistake, and Panther Creek takes the victory. This game was no different as Green Hope out hit Panther Creek 10 to 4, led 3-0 in the third, but left 11 base runners stranded, and watched Panther Creek score 4 runs in the sixth to win 6-4.

Clearly Green Hope didn't get the clutch hit tonight, their 10 hits combined with 6 walks and 2 hit batters produced plenty of base runners but only 4 runs. Of course the Falcon's pitchers also had their problems, although allowing only 4 hits, they gave up 8 walks and one hit batter. Actually the stats show an even game with a slight edge to Green Hope, but Panther Creek was able to get the clutch hit where Green Hope didn't, and Green Hope made 4 errors to Panther Creek's 2.

Green Hope scored a run in each of the first 3 innings, but also left 6 base runners on base during those innings. Grant Shambley opened the game with a single, followed by Joe Pistacchio who was hit by a pitch (the first of two for Joe), and a single by Wesley Clark loaded the bases with no one out. However 3 out of the next 4 batters struck out with Nick Addona's walk driving in the only run. David Josam led off the second inning with a single, followed by Max Povse's single, but a base running mistake cost Green Hope 1 out, and had to settle for 1 run driven in by Shambley's sac-fly. One out walks to Addona and Jonathan Grudee started the third inning, but an RBI single by Anthony Colantino was followed by 2 ground outs to end the threat. Panther Creek came back with a run off Green Hope starter Max Povse via a walk, an error, and a ground out. Povse struggled with his control today, and was relieved in the third by Daniel Sondag. Green Hope up 3-1 after 3 innings.

Panther Creek scored an unearned run in the 4th inning, and Green Hope added a run in the 5th from a single by Shambley, stolen base, and a single by Clark, Green Hope up 4-2 after 5 innings. Sondag pitched very well, striking out 6 in over 3 innings of work. But in the 6th inning, he gave up his only hit (a single) followed by 2 walks to load the bases with only 1 out. Adam Boghosian came in to pitch, but a walk, a single and an error or two had 4 runs in, and Green Hope found itself losing the game 6-4, with Sondag (0-2) taking the loss.