Cam's Game Last Night...a Wrap-Up

MUSTANGS CONTROL RED HAWKS, CONTINUE PERFECT SEASON
5/29/2008
FLORISSANT, MO – The Mustangs travelled to the Bottoms of Hazelwood Thursday for their rematch against the Red Hawks. The Mustangs swept the series with a 15-7 victory and improved to 5-0 for the season.

Cam Hand led the charge going 2‑for‑2 at the plate and walking once. He also scored three times. Daniel Schultz also had two hits, scoring once and driving in three.

Jermaine Holt and Ethan King reached safely each time at bat. They both had a hit and a walk and combined for 3 runs and 2 RBIs.

“We did a good job of scoring our runners,” observed Coach Shultz. “We had 8 RBIs and stranded a total of 3 runners. That’s timely hitting and good base running.”

The second inning proved crucial. Clinging to a 5-2 lead with 2 already out, the Mustangs rallied for four additional runs using walks to Hand and Grant Tracy followed by back-to-back hits by Sam Caldwell and Schultz.

“That was an important rally,” recalled Coach Shultz. “It gave us some breathing room and allowed us to relax.”

“We weren’t as sharp as we’ve been in the past,” continued Coach Shultz. “Obviously, we weren’t completely flat but we haven’t played in 11 days and haven’t practiced for 10. At times, it showed.”

Starting pitcher David Brake fanned 4 over two innings. Two of those reached first base safely requiring some terrific fielding plays.

In the first, the Red Hawk batter lofted a ball high and deep to center field. Tracy positioned himself under the ball and made a big out.

In the second, Andrew Pettus was behind the plate and scrambled to recover a pitch as a runner tried to score from third. Pettus beat the runner who retreated back to the base. Pettus gave chase and then threw to third baseman Joe Weis who applied the tag for the out.

Holt came in as relief in the third inning. He induced a groundout and got a strike out before yielding to Pettus. Pettus retied all four batters he faced with a total of just13 pitches. He struck out 3 and only threw three pitches out of the strike zone.

“Andrew [Pettus] slammed the door on any thoughts the Red Hawks had for a comeback,” boasted Coach Shultz. “That was some efficient pitching.”

The Mustangs’ next game is their first against a team in the top 4 of the standings. The 6-0-1 Giants eliminated the Mustangs from the playoffs in 2007 and have been very successful in 2008. This game has already been rained out once and with rain in the forecast, it very well may be postponed again.