Headline: Mustangs Handle Reds, Remain Undefeated

After every game, Cam's head coach writes an "article" about the game, it's so well done and we love reading each one of them. Here's the one from last night :) (Oh, and Ken has a few clips from the game on his blog -- I have no idea how to do this yet, so if you want to see Cam in action, click below and enjoy...) AND...Don't forget to vote on my Americal Idol winner poll at the right :)

http://www.kenhand.blogspot.com/

MUSTANGS HANDLE REDS, REMAIN UNDEFEATED
5/18/2008
FLORISSANT, MO – The Mustangs success continued Sunday as they dispatched the Reds 17‑6. A tight game early, the Mustangs finally pulled away in the final inning.

In the early innings, the Mustangs were able to maintain their lead by removing base runners.

Starting pitcher Zachary Shultz caught a runner off of first base when he threw to Joe Curtis. Curtis threw to shortstop Andrew Pettus to end the run down for the out.

In the third, Zach Jones caught a runner stealing third by delivering a strike to David Brake who applied the tag for the out. Brake also picked off another runner after catching a popup to first. The runner at second strayed too far and Brake threw to Curtis before the runner could tag.

Finally, Shultz recorded the game’s final out after retrieving a pitch from the backstop and hustling back in time to tag the runner trying to score from third.

“Any time you can remove runners from the base paths, it’s a good thing” noted Coach Shultz. “You eliminate a potential run and move one out closer to ending the inning.”

The top of the line-up for the Reds proved problematic for the Mustangs. The first 5 batters went 6-for-9 with one walk. The five accounted for four of the team’s six runs and six of their eight hits.

“They have some great hitters,” observed Coach Shultz. “Fortunately, there were not many base runners when they got all those hits.”

The Mustang pitchers succeeded in keeping extra runners off the bases. Shultz, Pettus and Cam Hand combined for only 3 walks and one hit batter for the game. The trio struck out 8.

On offense, the Mustangs bats continued to stay hot. Unlike the previous game, the Mustangs drove in the majority of the team’s runs. Only five of the 16 resulted from stealing home on passed balls.

Leading the offense was Ethan King who was 3‑for‑3, including a double in the second inning. He also walked once.

“Ethan has been a great leadoff hitter for us,” commented Coach Shultz. “He has reached base every plate appearance except one this season.”

Shultz led the team with 3 RBIs and was 2-for-2 with a walk. Grant Tracy also reached base every time with a single and two walks.

Every player was involved in the offense today as each one either scored or drove in a run.

“I am really pleased with the total team involvement,” boasted Coach Shultz. “For example, Sam [Caldwell] and Cam [Hand] both drove in runs on ground outs when the game was close. You can’t get an RBI on a strikeout. Joe Weis, Marcus [Benson] and Daniel [Schultz] all scored after getting walked. Those are smart at‑bats.”

In the end, it was the Mustangs outstanding pitching depth that put the game away. The Mustang relievers, Pettus and Hand, had excellent control and maintained the team’s momentum. The Red’s reliever struggled, walking 7 in the last inning.

“I am quite pleased with the way we responded to a tight game,” concluded Coach Shultz. “It was a fun win that we can all be proud of. Hopefully we will build on it.”

The Mustangs do not play again until May 27 when they face the largely unknown McWilliams team. McWilliams has only one recorded game (a 17-1 victory over the Sharks) to go along with 6 rainouts.


Next game:
Versus McWilliams
Tuesday, May 27
8:30pm
Field #10