In a Sunday Metro League game that featured several lead changes, the Orland Park Warriors and Hickory Hills tied at 10 runs a piece after seven inning of play.
Robbie Maxfield and Ryan Novak fueled the offense. Both players came through with base hits to drive home two runs with two outs--accounting for four of the Warriors' ten runs. Matthias Dietz lined a triple to right-centerfield in the first inning and Jack Lebert lined his second double of the season to deep left-centerfield. The Hickory Hills' pitching staff is the best the Warriors have seen so far in this young season--and the team left runners stranded in scoring position several times through the middle innings as hitters were having trouble making contact.
Since Hickory Hills' batters were hitting the ball fairly hard against the Warriors' pitching, the team threw all three of its returning 12 year old pitchers (Grant Lewis, Mike Rafferty and Matthias Dietz) through all seven innings. Other pitchers on the staff are expected to get more innings this upcoming weekend as it remains important to develop more pitching as this team moves towards tournament play.
Mike Hinde was recognized with a game ball for his defensive efforts in this one. Mike did an exceptional job in the outfield throughout the game--hustling on every play to be in position to back-up the infield. In the top of the seventh inning, Mike fielded a ball in rightfield and then gunned the runner out at the plate to end the inning and to keep the game tied at 10. The catcher, Mike Rafferty, made a nice tag on that play as well.
The Warriors remain undefeated in Chicagoland Metro League play and will play again on May 3rd against the A.F.C.A. Mets.
2011 Chicagoland Tournament Champions & 2011 Lombard Tournament Champions!
