The Journey Ends — Nine Short After Nine Innings
Published: August 1st, 2009 10:05PM
The Pirates summer baseball season came to an end tonight as the Southern Maryland Cardinals outscored them 13-4 and claimed the Jacobs Cup Tournament Championship, a well deserving champion. The evening contest began at Waters Field after the Pirates’ afternoon victory, back to meet the Southern Maryland Cardinals as Jacob’s Cup Tournament action continued. The first inning started with both teams scoring two runs. The Pirates found success after Zach Costello walked followed by Alex Guerra who reached second after hustling to second on a botched fielder’s choice. This moved Costello to third and into scoring position. When Chad Morgan continued his clutch tournament hitting, singled to right field, Costello crossed home plate and Guerra went to third. The final Pirate run was scored later in the inning when Matt Snyder, a first game hero, muscled a line drive to left-center field. Guerra scored and Morgan arrived safely at third. At the end of the first the score is tied at 2 and things seem ok.
The Cardinals earned another run while the Pirates’ scoring was silent in the second inning. Both teams were scoreless in the third inning.
The fourth was a different story as the Cardinals scored one more run which the Pirates answered with two of their own. The Pirates earned their runs with two out as Zach Costello and Alex Guerra got on base with walks. Brett Bowers then singled to center field followed by a zippy run to third on a Cardinal error. That opportunity helped Costello and Guerra cross home plate for the two Pirate runs in the fourth inning. At the end of four innings the score was tied at 4 runs each, struggling, but still scrapping.
Both teams were scoreless in the fifth inning but the sixth saw significant momentum move in the Cardinal’s direction. The Southern Maryland crew were able to pile 5 more runs onto their score and things began to look bleak. The Pirates continued their scoreless streak and, after six full innings, the Pirates, running on fumes, trailed 9-4.
The Southern Maryland momentum would not let-up during the seventh inning as they scored an additional run. The Pirates again went scoreless, now behind 10-4.
Scoring was quiet during the eighth inning with no action at home plate for either team. Again the Cardinal beast was awakened as the Southern Maryland crew scored three more runs in the top of the ninth inning and the end was near. Now the Pirates step into the batter’s box down by 9 runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. That deficit was too much to overcome during the second game of a hot, humid, August day (5th game in four days, thanks for the playoff game) as the Pirates remained scoreless to end the game and the season with a loss, 13-4.
UPDATED: Official Jacob’s Cup Stats
Fresh off the presses, the CGL has released the Jacobs Cup Tournament Statistics, congratulations to Chad Morgan who had a terrific tournament and to Brad Wimmer and Mike Manfro who threw six and four innings respectively of shutout tournament baseball, take a look; Clark Griffifth Baseball – The Mid-Atlantic Premier Wooden Bat Summer League.
Best wishes to the entire gang, you had an excellent season. Here’s hoping you can squeeze out a few well deserved vacation days. Best of luck in your college career both academically and athletically,
The webmeister and his cave dwelling sidekick
