Though on their own home field at their usual time, a short-handed Jarrettown (9 players) played visitor to the red-hot New Life Kings Tuesday evening in a makeup game.
The scoring got started early. Leading off for Jarrettown, Tim hit a ball to left that fell in for a double. Nick produced a one-out triple and reached home himself on a groundout to the right side of the diamond. A groundout to third ended the threat, but New Life would take their first cuts down 2-0.
Jimmy worked a leadoff walk, his first of two in the game, and Stoney got a base hit. Both runners advanced on a flyout to left, and with two outs, Anthony seized the opportunity to tie the game with a 2-run single. After a hit by Mark put a second runner on base again, Jarrettown pitcher Ron was able to induce a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
Brian walked to start the top of the second, but cuts from Jarrettown’s bottom three all found gloves in the air at center, short, and first base. The Kings started their half of the second with an even score. Dan found the grass in right field and legged out a one-out double, but the scoring wouldn’t happen until after the second out, a groundball handled by the first baseman. Jon and Jimmy each singled (the first hit from Jon driving in the go-ahead run), and Schyler drew a walk to load the bases. Stoney, New Life’s three-hole hitter, produced with a bases-clearing triple. He was stranded there, but the Kings had taken a 6-2 lead.
In the third inning spectators were privy to a rare occurrence – offensive interference on a batted ball. After two quick outs and a base hit, Greg grounded the ball to the right side of the infield. Nick, who began running to second on contact, was hit by the ball before any Kings fielders could make a play. The correct decision was delivered: the runner was ruled out. And in an odd twist, it is this writer’s interpretation of the rules that Greg is awarded a base hit on that inning-ending play.
With hits from Anthony, Zach, and Bret, the bottom half of the inning could have widened the gap for the Kings, but a run-down and a close play at first ended the three-hit inning with no runs.
Jarrettown experienced a similar fate in the top of the fourth. Two hits and a two-out walk provided an opportunity to put a dent in the New Life lead, but shortstop Zach put away a flyball in the outfield grass to strand the bases loaded.
The scoring lull continued into the middle of the sixth inning. Twice New Life got two hits but couldn’t push any runs across (fourth and fifth innings), and Jarrettown managed only one hit in the fifth and sixth combined. The Kings had one last chance to extend the lead before the final inning.
Dan led off the sixth inning with a single up the middle, and Luke batted a ball that skipped past the first baseman. An infield fly and a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners with two outs. Schyler stroked a double to bring them both home. Stoney drew a walk, then Brandy and Anthony each contributed run-scoring singles. Finally the third out was recorded on a flyout to center, but New Life’s lead had doubled, and the Kings entered the final frame up 10-2.
The lead would not be touched, as Brandy induced three flyouts while only allowing a two-out single, and the Kings secured their eighth victory of the season.
Jarrettown combined for ten baserunners – 8 hits and 2 walks.The two runs were knocked in by Nick and Greg. Jim and Nick each turned in two-hit performances.
New Life matched last game's total of 19 hits, and every one of the Kings' 10 runs was scored with two outs. Anthony’s three hits paced the team, while five more Kings added two hits of their own: Schyler, Stoney, Zach, Dan, and Luke. The team RBI lead was shared by Stoney and Anthony with 3 apiece, with the other RBIs coming from Schyler (2), Brandy, and Jon. Jimmy made the most of a one-hit, two-walk performance with three runs, while Stoney, Schyler, and Dan each scored twice.
Up Next:
New Life (8-2) has a quick turnaround, facing Trinity (8-2) in a battle for first place this Friday, 6/22. Trinity defeated the Kings in their first matchup, the season opener for both teams.
Jarrettown (1-9) has the same short rest, as they will travel to SPS to face Calvary Church (4-7) on Friday in the only matchup of the two teams during the regular season.