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The Warriors prevailed in a hard fought game against the higher seeded Palos Thunder. Steve Sismelich singled to centerfield to start the game before Jason Enguita was hit by pitch (his 5th HBP of the season). Tyler Dempsey then hammered a double to leftfield to score Steve and Jason. This elevated Tyler's RBI total to 62 for the season--a record that will probably never be broken. Unfortunately, Matt LeVigne was then hit by pitch (his 7th of the season)--and was injured on the play. Shortly afterwards, Matt was permanently removed from the game as a result of this injury. With runners on second and third and just one out, the next two Warriors' failed to put the ball in play as the Warriors settled for two runs and left two stranded.
Matt Carroll was the Warriors' starting pitcher. He allowed two hits in the first inning, but then fielded a tapper back to the mound and made the toss over to Connor Bartle at first base to end the inning with no damage.
Jim Robley reached base on an infield error to lead off the second inning. Jim stole second base and later moved over to third on a ground out to the shortstop. But, the Warriors left Jim stranded as the inning came to a close on another strikeout.
Matt Carroll allowed a double in the second inning, but once again fielded a tapper back to the mound to end this inning without allowing a run to score.
The first four Warriors reached base to start the third inning. Steve Sismelich singled before Matt Carroll walked. Jason Enguita singled. Tyler Dempsey drew a base on balls to force Steve home. But, with the bases loaded and no outs, the Warriors would once again fail to take advantage of its opportunities. Cody Rutledge smashed a line drive in which the shortstop made a nice catch. Then, Connor Bartle hit a fly ball to the rightfielder. Matt Carroll attempted to score from third, but was retired when the rightfielder made an accurate throw to the catcher to end the inning!
Fortunately, Matt Carroll continued to pitch a gem. Cody Rutledge fielded two ground outs from third base in this inning (and recorded four assists in the first three innings of play). And, Matt picked a runner off of first to help his cause in the inning. The Warriors held a 3-0 lead as the game moved into the fourth inning of play.
The Warriors would once again leave a runner stranded at third base with less than two outs in the top of the fourth inning. Jim Robley led off the inning with a base hit to leftfield (one of his three hits of the game). He stole second and advanced to third base on a ground out to the third baseman. But, another strikeout and a pop up ended the scoreless inning.
Matt Carroll quickly got the first two Palos hitters to pop out. Then, the Warriors' committed an infield error before Matt struck out the #5 hitter to end the fourth inning.
The Warriors did not threaten in the top of the fifth inning and were retired in order. Matt struck out two and continued to shut out Palos through five innings of play.
The Warriors finally advanced a runner from third base when Connor Bartle hit a sacrifice fly to score Cody Rutledge with one out. This insurance run in the top of the sixth inning would prove to be helpful in the bottom of the frame.
Palos scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the Warriors' lead to just one run. The clean-up batter hit a ground ball just out of reach of the Warriors' second baseman to score two runs after two were out. He advanced to second base on an ill-advised throw to home and promptly scored on another single to rightfield. Matt Carroll picked another runner off first base to end the inning.
The Warriors put the game out of reach with a six run seventh inning. Rick Sisco, Zac Zavod and Steve Sismelich walked to start the inning. Then, Matt Carroll singled to leftfield to score Rick. With the bases loaded, Jason Enguita hit a hard grounder up the middle that struck the umpire (umpire's interference). Jason was credited with a hit, but only one run scored on the dead ball. Tyler Dempsey walked to score another run (his 64th RBI of the season). Cody Rutledge then hit a sacrifice fly before Connor Bartle and Jim Robley each singled. The Warriors now led by 7 runs as Palos came to bat for the last time.
Matt Carroll quickly retired Palos in the seventh inning. The first two batters grounded out. The third batter walked, but Jason Enguita threw him out when he attempted to steal second base to end the game.
Matt Carroll's complete game victory is just what the doctor ordered for the third game of the Lockport Tournament. The rest of the pitching staff is now rested and ready for the semi-final game which is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
