ANSLL: News

The ANSLL American's got on the board first when Matt Collins singled to left, and Aaron Boyd knocked him in with a single to right. SYA West answered back in the bottom half of the inning when the clean up hitter doubled home a run to set the stage for an offensive showdown.

Jack Gutermuth got things started in the second with a single to center. Nate Contrino finished a nine pitch battle with the feisty southpaw from SYA by doubling deep to left, scoring Jack. Chris Santaniello kept it going with a single to right, and Grant Thompson brought them home with a line drive double off of the outstretched glove of the right fielder. The hit barrage continued with singles by Matt Collins and Aaron Boyd, and Tim Johnson brought them home when he reached on an error off the second baseman's glove.

With the score at 6-1 ANSLL starter Aaron Boyd made quick work of the SYA batters in the second, three up three down. A Ryan Peich single was all that ANSLL could muster in the third, leaving the door open for SYA. The bottom half of the inning featured five singles from the middle of the SYA order, and the lead was cut to 6-5.

Colin Corey reached on an error to start the fourth, and Matt Collins single brought him to third.After Aaron Boyd reached on a fielders choice that forced Matt at second, ANSLL was able to tack on another run executing a beautiful 1st and 3rd fake steal play that was almost countered perfectly by a 3-6-3 that nearly ended up picking Aaron off at first. (you had to be there) :-)

SYA once again answered the call by tying up the game in the bottom of the fourth at 6-6 as starter Aaron Boyd was relieved by Grant Thompson. The ANSLL half of the fifth started with a bang as Nick Roberts took one for the team (in the kidney), and Nate Contrino followed with a walk. After Grant Thompson moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt, Colin Corey brought them in with a double to right.

A couple of ANSLL errors allowed SYA to add another run in the bottom of the fifth to bring the score to 9-7 and setting the stage for a wild finish. As the storm clouds moved in, the ANSLL bats heated up, singles by Aaron, Tim Johnson, Jack and Nick brought home two more runs to put ANSLL up 11-7. SYA bounced back in the bottom of the sixth as they loaded the bases with one out and the score inching closer at 11-8. Grant Thompson gave way to Matt Collins on the mound, and after another single brought the score to 11-9. Matt was able to strike out the # 8 batter to bring the 9/10 American's within one out of victory. With the SYA starting pitcher at the plate and runners on second and third, the rain started to fall again. A game tying rocket down the left field line landed only a few feet foul gave the nervous crowd a near heart attack. A high fly ball on the next pitch was caught by first baseman Jack Gutermuth, and the ANSLL stands erupted. (so did the sky)