OSLOPRETENDERS
P1 Overcomes Rough Start to Trounce Alna 17-5
Rommen Field, Wed May 6, 2015, by Dario
Starting pitcher Matt Connell went the distance, earning the complete-game victory. Matt was stung but not defeated after a tumultuous top of the first inning featuring 5 runs on two free passes, two HBPs and a 3-run homer. After P-batters quickly made 3 outs, the pressure was on to quiet the Alna bats in the 2nd inning. Matt persevered, found his rhythm and plowed through the 1-2-3 batters with a groundout and two Ks. He was soon buoyed by the Pretender bats.
Down 5-0 to start the bottom of the 2nd, P-bats got hot and answered with 4 runs off SP Alejandro on hits by Luis, Kelly, Rob and Jean Carlos – all of whom scored to bring the Pretenders within one run.
In the 3rd, the Pretenders grabbed the lead for good with 6 runs off 3 hits, 4 walks and an HBP.
The Pretenders showed no signs of easing off in the 4th inning, blowing open the game with another 7-run rally, started by Martinius’ speed in beating a weak throw after a comebacker. Next, Nate singled and Terje drew his fourth walk of the game. Darren then lined a single to left for 2 runs, knocking Alejandro out. Leif followed with his second walk, then Matt singled to right to plate Darren and set up Luis’ majestic 3-run homer to cap the scoring at 17-5.
Highlights:
* After the shaky 1st inning Matt ended up going the distance in style, giving up just one more hit, 3 walks and no runs, and facing just two batters over the minimum for the final 5 innings thanks to Terje’s two gun-downs of runners at second base. Matt also hit two RBI singles.
*Luis went 3 for 4, scoring 3 runs. For his last at-bat he smashed a long 3-run dinger over the high netting in the LF corner. That capped the Pretenders’ 7-run rally in the 4th and retaliated for Rayner’s first inning shot.
*Kelly laced a missile over the center fielder for a double that drove in the first P-run of the game, then added a single.
*Leadoff man Terje drew four walks and scored twice.
*Jean Carlos scored twice on a single and walk.
*3B Darren had four RBIs and scored two runs.
*CF Nate scored twice on two walks and a single.
*LF Martinius reached base twice by sheer footspeed, beating out two grounders, and scored with a nice slide on a close play after a passed ball.
*Leif Petter drew two walks and scored twice despite being slowed by a sore hamstring.
