Good discipline at the plate and aggressive base running key to Macaws win
A good first home game for the VOB Macaws Reserves against their Grassy Park Crusaders counterparts running out 16-3 winners in 6 innings.
The game remained tight in the early innings with the score being 4-2 in favour of the Macaws after four and a half innings. Then a mammoth rally saw the Macaws accumulate 12 runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the game away from the Crusaders who only managed one more run in the sixth and final inning.
The Macaws struggled to straight steal against the left handed Crusaders starting pitcher Niyaas Galant, but took advantage of a lack of awareness from the catcher and middle infield to execute a number of delayed steals. This helped to disrupt the pitcher’s rhythm which made the job for the hitters in the box easier. After Niyaas departed the Macaws continued with the aggressive base running which was key to the fourth inning rally. This is an exciting addition to the reserves’ game that was not present in previous seasons.
The pitching start on the day was given to Kevin Mullins, pitching 2.1 innings and conceding no runs but leaving 2 runners on. Luke Budler replaced Mullins and completed 1.2 inning before the ball being handed to Naeem Dollie. During Budler’s stint, the 2 runners put on base by Mullins scored as a result of some fielding errors. Dollie closed out the game completing two innings while conceding 1 run. All of the pitchers did an excellent job in tying up the Crusaders hitters and allowing minimal free bases.
Top offensive performers on the day were Matthew Blows (2-3, HBP, 3B, 2 R), Daniel Darius (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R), Luke Budler (2-2, BB, SF, SB, 2 RBI, R) and Robin Jones (2-3, BB, SB, 2 3B, 2 RBI, 3 R).
Good discipline at the plate and aggressive base running were the keys to the win. This was a good progression from last week which if it continues will see this squad become a formidable unit.
