The ANSLL American rallied from a big hole to defeat the Fairfax National team, 9-7 tonight. It was a well played, and hard fought game between two teams that just didn't want to end their season! Nothing went right for ANSLL early, as they fell behind 3-0 after the first inning. The ANSLL bats were quiet in the first two frames, but came alive in the 3rd. After Nic Gold got hit by a pitch, (yes, again) Jacob Eisner delivered a single to left. With two out, Ryan Rossum's single to center got ANSLL on the board. Andrew Santaniello's single scored Eisner to cut it to 3-2.
A Home Run by Fairfax upped the lead to 5-2 in bottom of 3rd. Jackson Boehman was pitching a good game, but was knocked out of the game (literally), when the next batter hit a rocket of Jackson's shin. Things looked bleak as Jackson was carried off, and ANSLL trailed 5-2. Ryan Kane came in to pitch and got out of the inning without further damage.
ANSLL regained some momentum in top 4 as David Furney delivered a clutch, 2-out, bases loaded double to score Tyler Choate and Kane. That cut it to 5-4 but was all ANSLL could get.
While Fairfax got a run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 6-4, it was a momentum changing inning. After the leadoff batter reached 3rd, the next batter plated him with a long fly to center, caught by Santaniello. The next two batters also flied out to center on nice plays by Santan, including an inning ender by Fairfax's near the fence in left center!
ANSLL stranded two more in the 5th, but Kane continued to hold the Fairfax bats in check. The 5th ended with the magically healed Boehman in left field throwing a runner out at 3rd on a nice tag play by Christian Firaben. That set the stage for the final frame.
Kane opened the inning with a nice bunt down first for a hit. After a Fairfax miscue, Boehman deliever a double to left center, tying the game by scoring Kane and Eisner. Rossume then gave ANSLL their first lead of the game with a solid double to the wall in lcf, plating Boehman. Firaben knocked in Rossum on a ground out, and Kyle Goetlicher drove in one more on a SacFly to right, scoring Santaniello.
Bottom of the 6th was a nail-biter. After a couple of walks, a K and a fielder's choice, Fairfax was down 9-6 with 2 out and their HR hitter up. Kane carefully pitched around him and loaded the bases. But, the next hitter also walked and now it was 9-7. The next batter hit a rocket to left center field that had game winning, 2-out, 3-run double written all over it! But, Jackson Boehman snagged it over the shoulder on the dead run in deep left center for the final out, sending the host team home happy!
Once again the ANSLL team played excellent defense, and had solid pitching from Boehman and Kane.
On to SYA Central on Thursday - in the "final 8"!
Click headline for bracket.
News: ANSLL American (10-11) come from behind to beat Fairfax National, 9-7! 