The Warriors came back from a 6-1 deficit to defeat the Southside Express (SSE) B team in a wild game on Monday night at Centennial #4.
The Warriors scored first after Robbie Maxfield singled to start the game and came home on a ground out by Paco Lauciello. The SSE tied the game in the bottom of the first inning after the lead off hitter walked and scored on a base hit to leftfield.
Matt Taylor held the Warriors scoreless through the second and third innings. The SSE scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning and another three runs in the third inning to take a 6-1 lead.
Paco Lauciello and Ryan Knightly hit back-to-back doubles in the top of the fourth inning. The Warriors scored two runs to close the score to 6-3 in favor of the SSE.
Ryan Tannebaum entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning for the Warriors. Ryan retired the SSE in order in the fourth. The score remained 6-3 in favor of the SSE as the game moved into the fifth inning.
The Warriors scored nine runs on nine hits in the top of the fifth inning to take a 12-6 lead! Key hits included a bunt single by Dennis Bresingham and a triple down the leftfield line with the bases loaded (with two strikes and two out) by Robbie Maxfield. Robbie is now ranked second on the team with his .607 on-base percentage and third on the squad with a .476 batting average. This is particularly impressive given that he is playing up as a 12 year old!
The SSE Express came back with a run in the bottom of the fifth after Ronnie Drabeck smashed a ball into leftfield. The Warriors' leftfielder then threw the ball out of play attempting to retire Drabeck at second base. Ronnie was awarded two bases on the overthrow. The Warriors led 12-7 after five innings of play.The Warriors failed to score in the top of the sixth despite a double to deep leftfield off the bat of Jack Lebert. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Warriors allowed five walks and committed an error to let the SSE back into the ballgame. The Warriors held a one run lead (12-11) as the game entered its final inning.
The Warriors scored four important insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning. Ryan Knightly hammered a triple to drive home two runs. With Knightly on third base, the SSE intentionally walked Tim Prendergast to pitch to Sam Marc. Tim Prendergast promptly stole third base before Sam lined a single to centerfield to score another two runs! The Warriors led 16-11.
Ryan Novak was the Warriors' closer for this one. He remained composed and effective through the difficult sixth inning. With the Warriors leading by one run, the SSE had the bases loaded with its clean-up hitter at bat. Ryan got the big strikeout on a high fastball to end the inning and preserve the lead! Despite two infield errors behind him in the seventh inning, Ryan retired the SSE and earned his team leading 2nd save of the season.
WARRIORS: 16 runs, 15 hits, 5 errors, 9 left on base
SSE B: 12 runs, 10 hits, 3 errors, 10 left on base
