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The 15U team jumped out to the early lead with two runs in the first inning. Sam Marc singled, Tyler Knight doubled and Paco Lauciello singled to leftfield to score Sam. Robbie Maxfield grounded to shortstop to score Tyler. The Warriors failed to score in the bottom of the frame.
Zac Zavod retired the 15U team in order in the top of the second inning. The Warriors scored a run in the bottom of the inning when Matt LeVigne singled to leftfield to score Cody Rutledge. Lance Cardinal struck out the last batter of the inning as the Warriors left the bases loaded.
The 15U team extended its lead in the top of the third inning when Julian Gutierrez hit a two run homer to deep rightfield. Paco Lauciello then doubled (one of his three hits of the contest) and Dennis Bresingham singled to leftfield. Zac Zavod retired the final hitter of the inning on a pop fly to the first baseman.
Ryan Tannebaum entered the game in relief for the 15U team in the bottom of the third. He held the Warriors scoreless in the third inning. The Warriors trailed 4-1 as the game entered its fourth inning of play.
Steve Sismelich held the 15U team scoreless through the fourth and fifth innings. Steve allowed just one baserunner, on an infield hit, during this span. In the meantime, the Warriors scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Tyler Dempsey started the inning with a double (his team leading 8th of the season). Cody Rutledge singled. Then, Matt LeVigne singled to leftfield to drive in two runs. Jim Robley walked. Zac Zavod then came through with a clutch two out, two strike hit down the leftfield line to score Matt and Jim. The Warriors led 5-4 through four innings.
The Warriors extended its lead by scoring a run in the fifth inning despite not getting a hit. Four batters walked in the inning and Matt LeVigne was hit by pitch (his team-leading third of the season). The Warriors would never trail again in this one.
Cody Rutledge entered the game in relief for the Warriors in the top of the sixth inning. The first two hitters he faced reached base (on a double and a single). But, the lead runner was out attempting steal third base. The 15U team then scored a run on an infield error before the inning ended on an infield fly out. The Warriors led by just one run as the game moved into the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Warriors scored two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when Jim Robley reached base on an infield error and later score on Matt Olinski's double to leftfield. Matt would later score. The inning ended when the 15U team's leftfielder, Lance Cardinal, threw a runner out at the plate after Matt Carroll's base hit.
Cody Rutledge made fast work of the seventh inning--striking out two to earn his team-leading third save of the season.
The game was followed by a picnic. I would like to thank everyone for making the "War of the Warriors" a very enjoyable event.
