Rockets Get It Done vs Norwood American

The Fourth of July break was well deserved after the weekend's heroics in Easton, but a few days off with late nights, little sleep, bad nutrition, hours in the sun and pool, throwing all kinds of objects that are not baseballs, and swinging all kinds of objects that are not baseball bats... This can throw a player off a bit.

Taking a break and getting out of the groove of baseball for a couple of days is best for everyone, and looking long-term, it can improve the level of play over the course of the season. It's well worth it. But, in the short term, it can lead to some sloppiness. We saw that as the Rockets were taking their infield warm-up.

The good news is that it doesn't take long for us to get back into our groove--as visiting Norwood American discovered facing Drew Siegenthaler on the hill. He picked up right where he left off in Easton, pounding the zone and striking out the side to log a quick scoreless first.

Sean Greene continued on his ridiculous tear at the plate, burning down the line to beat out a single. But that was all the noise the Rockets could make in the first. No score after one.

A harmless single to center field is all Norwood could muster in the top of the second as Siegenthaler fanned two more and got one to ground to third, where Aidan McGaugh scooped and fired across for the out. He did well to get his feet under him and throw a perfect strike. Textbook.

Steven Donovan singled on a line drive to center field to lead off the bottom of the second. Aidan McGaugh drew a walk to put two on, but Norwood slammed the door shut after that. Still no score with two complete in the books.

First blood came in the top of the third with Norwood putting up a hard-earned run. No sign of concern in the Rockets' dugout, though. We've been here before.

1-0, Norwood, going into the bottom of the third. Matthew Dougherty singled into center field to get things going for the Rockets. Sean Greene and Drew Siegenthaler both singled, and Dougherty would come around to score the tying run.

All knotted up at one apiece to start the fourth. Needham would send Jack Morgan to the mound to keep it that way for the next half inning. Morgan made quick work of it, retiring the side in order on a pop up and two ground balls.

The Rockets would take control in the bottom half. Joe Dateo singled to left and advanced to second on a burner into right field off the bat of Matthew Dougherty. Tom Berkley brought Dateo in with a ground ball up the middle, and the Rockets had the lead for the first time in the game, 2-1. But the fireworks would not end there. Sean Greene reached on an error (every time you look up, this guy's on base), and Dougherty scored. Drew Siegenthaler singled, and Greene scored on a passed ball. A crooked number for the inning gave the Rockets some comfort, 4-1.

Top five... Morgan sat two down swinging and catcher Joe Dateo gunned down a third trying to steal second. 

The Rockets were in good position to add some insurance in their half. Steven Donovan singled to lead it off, and Dateo walked. William Popper drove Donovan in with a rip to left field for a single, and the Rockets' lead was 5-1.

That's how it would end, as Jack Morgan engineered a quick 1-2-3 top of the last.

A solid effort for the Rockets coming off the Fourth of July break. Sharp on the mound, in the field, and by the late innings at the plate as well.

The Rockets take on SYBL powerhouse Westwood next, this Sunday under the lights at Morrison Field. See you there!