8/11/09 – Big hitting Under 14(1)s

The West Torrens Under 14(1) team played Port Adelaide at home on the junior diamond last Sunday.

 Jack Hambly was given the ball to start the pitching and Nathan Byrnes was behind the plate. Jack immediately found the strike zone, and struck the first Magpies player out watching and the second player out swinging. The Magpies #3 then flied a ball to 3rd base, which was well caught by Brad Dedrick.  Side away in sixteen pitches.

 The Eagles #1 batter Mason Pickard started with a walk to 1st bases, and advanced to second with a Lucas Hunter bunt (and Lucas safely made 1st). Ethan Haylock then played a line drive to right field to get to first, and bring Pickard home.  Brad Dedrick was then walked, which brought Pickard home.  Jack Hambly then drove a pitch to deep centre field that rolled through the cones for a 2 base 2 RBI hit. Mitch Duval advanced to first on four consecutive balls, before Connor Foley and Will Bourchier were both out on a standard 4-3 plays. Nathan Byrnes hit a pitch to left field for a single base hit. Mason Pickard then returned to the plate and cracked a solid drive to left field for a single base hit that advanced Byrnes to 3rd base.

Lucas Hunter hit a ball to deep left field that allowed Byrnes and Pickard to score, but was out at home plate attempting the infield home run.  However, the mercy rule was invoked, so only seven runs counted.

End of the 1st innings: Port Adelaide 0, West Torrens 7

 Hambly returned to the mound for the Magpies second innings.  The Magpies #4 advanced to first on balls, before Jack came back and struck out the #5 batter.  Jack then walked the #6 and #7 batters, before finding his target and striking out the Magpies #9 and #1 batters.

 Ethan Haylock smacked a 2 base hit to left field to start the Eagles innings and Brad Dedrick was Hit by Pitch.  Hambly drove to third base and was out on a 5-3 play (single RBI-Haylock). This was followed by 2 base RBI (Dedrick). While Connor Foley was at the plate, Duval was picked off at second for the second out, before Foley hit a single to centre field. The innings was out when Will Bourchier was out on a 4-3 play

End of the 2nd innings: Port Adelaide 0, West Torrens 9

 Connor Foley relieved Hambly on the mound and struck out the Magpies #2. 

A hit by the #3 batter—and a fielding error—saw the Magpie batter advance to 2nd base. A fly ball to 2nd base and another fly to short stop saw the Magpies innings end in 14 pitches.

Sam McGarry came in for Nathan Byrnes and was out on a 4-3.  Mason Pickard then had a 2 base hit to right field (followed by a great steal to 3rd base). This brought Lucas Hunter to the plate, who flied to left field for the first out.  Haylock then advanced to first on balls.  This brought Brad Dedrick to the plate, who has been looking threatening in all matches.  Brad then cracked the biggest home run seen in the under 14s for the last couple of seasons.  What a monster! Jack drove a one baser to left field and Duval and Foley were then walked. Bourchier then hit a single base RBI double followed by Sam McGarry’s treble deep into right field. This brought up seven runs for the innings. 

 End of the 3rd innings: Port Adelaide 0, West Torrens 16

 Mason Pickard relieved Nathan Byrnes behind the plate in the very hot conditions.  Well caught Nathan. Foley continued on the mound for the Eagles. A fielding error allowed the Magpies batter to get safely on second base, before Connor hit back  with 3 consecutive strikes.

 Brad Dedrick was then given the leather and struck out the Magpies #8. This was followed by a base on ball. A passed ball allowed the Magpies to score their first run before Brad struck out the next batter to close the innings. A good closing pitch by Brad.

 The Eagles bats were absolutely burning at the bottom of the 4th innings, with consecutive 2 base hits by Pickard, Hunter, Haylock, Dedrick and Hambly. The Magpies rebounded to get Duval (F3) and Foley (4-3), before Bourchier and McGarry hit single bases. The innings closed when Hunter was out a first. 

 End of the 4th innings: Port Adelaide 1, West Torrens 21

 Hits: Pickard (3), Haylock (3), Hambly (3), Hunter (2), Dedrick (2), Bourchier (2), McGarry (2), Duval (1), Foley (1), Byrnes (1)

 Runs: Haylock (4), Dedrick (4), Pickard (3), Hambly (3), Hunter (2), Duval (2), Foley (1), Bourchier (1), Byrnes (1)