CLICK HERE to view the team and individual statistics through Game #12.
The Warriors struck first in this one with a run in the top of the first inning when Matt Carroll drew a walk and later scored his 24th run of the season. Matt's runs scored total is now tied for the most on the team with Steve Sismelich. The team's hitters in the first two spots of the batting order are getting the job done.
Zac Zavod pitched three scoreless innings for the Warriors. He allowed just one hit and walked none. The infield defense executed two double plays in the first two innings to help move things along.In the top of the second inning, Rick Sisco came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. With two strikes on the count, Rick connected and drove the ball high and deep over the leftfielder for a grand slam. This hit changed the dynamics of the game. Rather than moving into the bottom of the second inning in a dog fight with a fired up Oak Lawn team, the score was suddenly 5-0 in favor of the Warriors and the Oak Lawn players began to give up hope. This was the team's third grand slam of the season. Matt LeVigne and Tyler Dempsey hit grand slams earlier in the year.
The Warriors tagged on another two runs in the top of the third inning when Cody Rutledge lined a single into centerfield after two outs to score Matt Carroll and Tyler Dempsey.
The Warriors went with the lefty, Matt Carroll, in relief in the fourth inning. Matt also contributed three strong innings. He allowed just one unearned run, struck out four and walked one.
Other offensive achievements included a triple to deep left-centerfield off the bat of Jason Enguita (his second of the season) and Trent Sichelski's three hits in three plate appearances.
The Warriors continued to use the bunt as a weapon. In game 2 of pool play, Matt Olinski laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt. Today, Steve Sismelich and Zac Zavod successfully sacrificed runners. Note that a sacrifice does not count as a plate appearance so that it does not negatively impact a player's batting average.
This tournament marks the first time in four years that the Warriors have successfully advanced through pool play. The Warriors won all three pool play games and allowed just two runs in the process!
The biggest difference between this year's team and our opponents is the depth of the pitching staff. Going into the semi-finals, our pitching log looks like no other log. We've pitched six different pitchers--and no pitcher has made more than one appearance or pitched in more than four total innings! And, we still have other pitchers who are more than capable who haven't yet appeared in a tournament game.
Here's how our pitching log looks after three pool play games:
Pitcher (Innings):
- Bartle (4)...1 win
- Sismelich (4)
- Dempsey, Tyler (3)...1 win
- Zavod, Zac (3)...1 win
- Carroll, Matt (3)...1 save
- Rutledge, Cody (1)...1 save
