Coach McGaugh spent most of a workweek removing 7 tons of Field Dry dumped at Small this spring between first and second base. The rationale for the original dumping of 7 tons of Field Dry onto Small is unclear. Perhaps desperate times (a very rainy spring) called for desperate measures (7 tons of Field Dry). But the Field Dry did not prevent the rain. It just made a sandbox out of Small Field, with blinding infield dust storms, dying ground balls, and worst of all, tar-pit-like conditions for runners at first base, which, combined with the short backstop, are death to a running team like the Rockets.
This evening, though, when the Rockets strolled into the home dugout at Small, the infield was hard, fast, and completely free of Field Dry. We are very grateful to Coach McGaugh for restoring what has been a competitive advantage for us at every other ballpark.
It turned out the the Rockets would need to run the bases tonight. They were up against a Walpole National squad that featured top-notch pitching and very stingy defense.
The Rockets sent a top-notch pitcher of their own to the hill in the first, a hard-throwing lefty named Jeffrey Hohler. Hohler got one to tap it back, fanned another, and a third to double hop it to third baseman Aidan McGaugh who fired a perfect strike across the diamond. A 1-2-3 first for Hohler and the Rockets.
Sean Greene walked, Drew Siegenthaler singled, and Steven Donovan walked to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the first. But the crafty Walpole pitcher worked out of the jam, retiring the side with back-to-back Ks.
No score after one.
Hohler returned for the top of the second and was firing seeds, but a tough Walpole lineup was able to get two across to take an early lead.
Matthew Dougherty singled on a line drive to left and Tom Berkley reached on fielder's choice, but that was all the Rockets could scrape together in the second. 2-0, Walpole after two.
Walpole loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the third, but Jeffrey Hohler battled and managed to escape the inning with only two crossing and with his team still squarely in the ballgame. Gutsy pitching on the part of Hohler.
Down 4 runs, the Rockets wanted to chip away in the bottom of the third. No dice, though, as Walpole was able to retire the side in order and stay in command.
Jack Morgan would come on to relieve Hohler. Morgan fanned the first two batters he faced and got another to fly to shallow right where Tom Berkley, running in, made a diving catch to put away the top of the fourth.
The Rockets finally got the bats going in their half. Will Dorion singled on a loud line drive to left, Steven Donovan was on with a shot up the middle, Jack Morgan ripped a single to left, and Donovan came around to put the Rockets on the board. 4-1, Walpole. William Popper drove in another with a ground ball to left, and the Rockets were climbing back into it. 4-2, Walpole after four.
Jack Morgan returned to the hill for the Rockets and made quick work of the fifth with some help from center fielder Matthew Dougherty, who ran down a dying quail into shallow center and made a spectacular diving catch to put away the Walpole fifth.
Bottom five, and the Rockets were running out of chances. No sweat, though, for this bunch. Relax and play good baseball. Tom Berkley was hit by a pitch and Eric Gage worked a walked to put two on with two outs. Sean Greene brought Berkley in with single on a line to left. Drew Siegenthaler brought Gage and Greene in with a missile to center field, and for the first time in the game, the Rockets would take the lead. 5-4, Needham, going into the final frame.
Jack Morgan, ice in his veins, took the mound to close it out for the Rockets. The first batter he faced popped it up in foul territory on the third base side. Morgan had it lined up off the bat, ranged and slid into the catch. A great hustle for out number one. Less exercise for the next two: Morgan fanned them both for the save and the Rockets' fifth SYBL win.
This one was a real nail biter. Down for most of the game to a very tough Walpole National team, the Rockets never panicked, just played their game, and chiseled their way back into it. An outstanding effort.
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