Game #3 Recap - Orioles vs.Cville Reds

This was an away game with the Craigsville Reds. The game lasted over four (4) hours due to several lightening delays. We did avoid the rain on this day that other areas around us received.

The Orioles started a proven second year pitcher for this rematch, Jason Bradford managed four (4) complete innings giving up four (4) runs, striking out nine (9) batters while walking two (2) and giving up four (4) hits. Billy Rapp entered the game in the fifth (5) inning and pitched 1 - 2/3 innings. Billy struck out two (2) batters, walked three (3) batters, allowing one (1) hit for one (1) run. Matt Bennett came in and finished the game by throwing to a couple batters totaling eleven (11) pitches to get the final out, a ground ball to SS - Billy Rapp who threw the runner out to Orioles 1st basemen Logan Cole. The defense was very sound and made good catches and throws the entire game and kept the ball in front of them.

On offense the normal production was down as some of the power hitters had a bad day. But other members of the bird crew picked it up. The orioles had several great bunts, these hits keyed the rallies in the second and third innings, the team broke out in the third inning scoring two (2) runs. Things should have been different though as the home town team was able to use their local interpretation of the rules. We had already scored two (2) runs and during a two (2) out rally in the third inning, a complaint by the Craigsville Reds of interference by the third base coach wiped out two (2) more runs which ended the inning. The call was made because the Orioles third base coach left the coaches box... The Orioles responded in third and fifth innings by scoring three (3) runs in each segment.

As far as I know this team is the only team to go into Craigsville and leave winners. The Orioles hitting productivity was low as they tallied five (5) hits but then again to hit the ball you have to have strikes. This boys showed good patience and strong will which resulted in seventeen (17) walks. The Orioles pitching aces only gave up five (5) hits as well as kept the ball in the strike zone so the Reds only received six (6) free passes. Final Score would be 8 - 5.