Yesterday we squared off against Missoula, Montana, the defending Montana State champions and third in the Nationals last year. The Mavericks have a center fielder who went in the third round to the Diamondbacks in the seventh round, and it's easy to say they were heavily favored going into the game. All said an done, we played excellent baseball and clipped them 6-1 on the day.
After a five-hour rest back at the dorm, we squared up in the premier game of the tournament Vs Rapid City, a night game followed by a fireworks show. We fell behind in the game early 4-1. Through some sharp base running, bunting, and diligent hitting we clawed out a 9-4 lead into the bottom if the seventh. Zach Tandy didn't gave his best stuff but gutted through the game, keeping us close. We got two quick outs in the 7th, and then Rapid City knocked in five runs to tie the game. (Curve ball story... you'll have to ask Roddi... a group decision... it was the right call!). The crowd was on their feet for the rally, the hometown team came back with what seemed like an impossible, improbable rally. Tied at the end of seven.
We answered the call, plating a run in the top of the 8th on a double by Nick Swim, plating Cody Sherrow from first. Sherrow pitched a scoreless bottom of the 8th, shutting down Post 22 for the win. The hometown was stunned, but typical to the excellent baseball town that is Rapid City, both teams received a thunderous round of applause at the conclusion of the game.
So... We closed the day with wins against two of the best legion teams in the country, and watched a fireworks show on the field with 1000 fans... Something everyone who participated will remember for a long, long time.
Recapping a bit from our games:
We played a doubleheader in 100+ degree heat vs Boulder and Las Vegas, a very tough draw.
We opened up against Boulder, losing a 14-13 slugfest, a game we had in out grasp. Rather than folding up though, the team responded against a talented Vegas team with a win.
The next day, we seemed a bit lethargic, losing to Coons Rapid, MN, losing a grip on two innings in the game where they put a four and five spot on us. In all we competed well against them, winning five of the seven frames.
We lost to Eden Prairie, last years National Runner Up, taking them to the sixth inning, behind just 7-5. In the final frame they threw a six spot on us, a deceiving end to a great game.
We had a lethargic game Vs West Warick, RI losing 3-1, a great showing Vs a talented team. One of those days where we hit everything a someone. A good, well played, quickly paced game.
Then came the improbable sweep of a doubleheader described above. Quite a day.
A final loss to Boulder, a sub par effort, but clearly drained in resources and energy.
In all, we had quite a road trip, competing in 7 of the 8 games, winning three, and showing some folks in Rapid City, and ourselves that there's something special brewing with this Cannons team.
We had some great food, delivered up by Janice and Kristin and Sprague Sherrow. We had lots to see: the Badlands, Mt Rushmore, a quick view of The Crazy Horse memorial, an amazing tour of a buffalo ranch, some incredible baseball, great camaraderie... Many lasting memories.
We're back on the bus makin our way home... Headed to Sioux City, Iowa as a first stop... Looking over the rolling plains of South Dakota... Batman Returns playing on the DVD player, some are sleeping, likely exhausted. Some are reflecting, staring out the window. Mongeon holding individual player meetings, an important part of any season... And all of us wondering where the time went.
Three days on the road, including one in Niagra Falls... Another incredible site seeing spectacle.
... and yes, I typed all this on a phone on the bus!
Engage...
-- Posted from batphone
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