A well executed game by the Phantoms this evening. They had pitching, defense and offense. Team Echelbarger goes into games believing that they will win.
I stated at the beginning of the season that our objectives are to have Fun, learn the game of Baseball, have good sportsmanship, provide a positive environment and measure our success on our improvement and the above. Not wins and losses. I think we are moving in that direction.
Teams are selected by blind draft in the minors division. I only knew what I was getting with my assistant coaches kids. The rest of the team was unknown. After observing the team after first practice, Coach Jeff and I talked about how we really needed start with basics. Throwing the ball, catching and proper batting techniques.
Those first few practices were pretty rough, but the boys were eager to learn and put in the effort to practice what we coaches were teaching. The Phantoms have come a long way since then and everyone is contributing as a team. I would argue that we have the best defense on the field, have great pitching and we’ve always had awesome bats. They ARE the team to beat going into the post season.
Ryan was our starting pitcher going 2 innings facing 9 batters with 15 strikes, 1 strikeout, 3 hits, 2 walks and 1 earned run. Jordan pitched 2.2 innings facing 11 batters, 32 strikes, 5 strikeouts, 3 hits, 0 walks and 0 earned runs. Sean pitched 1 inning facing 3 batters, 7 strikes, 1 strikeout, 1 hit and 1 earned run. Christian closed out the game again.
Everyone contributed on offense tonight, we had 14 hits, 7 walks, 8 RBI’s and 10 runs scored. Alex B got his first start at lead off going 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored. We stole home a couple times and took extra bases with runners in scoring position. I’m pretty happy with our aggressive base running and taking a base on every passed ball.
The Phantom defense was in top form. We got all 18 outs for a six inning game. Just about the entire team had a play tonight. In the 1st Alex R had an incredible diving catch with on the knees 4-3 play with Reilly. Reilly had a nice catch at 1st for the tag for the 2nd out.
In the second inning Jack had a 5-3 play with Reilly. Jordan had a pop-up play at pitcher in the fourth. Sean had 1-2 with Alex in the sixth and Christian also had a 1-2 with Alex to end the game.
Our MVP of the game was Benji. He took one for the team with a first pitch HBP (Hit By Pitch) and scored. Benji and Sean had a 2-5 play to end the first, he had a 2-1 play with Ryan in the 2nd, Chris and a pair of 6-3’s with Benji in the third and a 1-2 with Sean to end the 5th. A great defensive game for ‘G’!
The Phantoms are learning the game of baseball. They are running their own drills before games with only suggestions from the coaches and are continuing to practice after our time is over. They have really become a team and it’s a pleasure to watch them grow.
Our next game is 5:00 pm, Wednesday against Point B on Lynndale Field 2. See you there. Go Phantoms!
Final Score: Echelbarger 10 – Interbay Foods 2
