Aug. 21 vs. Wildcats

Great fundamentals led the Raptors to their first win of the season. Jake and Hayden were both strong on the mound. A 2 run homer and 3 run triple by Matt helped lead the Raptors to a 12-9 victory.

 

Aug. 22 vs. Sonics

Kyle did a great job on the mound, with the Sonics earning only 2 runs in the first two innings. At the end of the 3rd, Raptors were ahead 3-2. After a rough 4th inning, the Raptors rallied in the 5th inning to earn 4 runs and finished the game with a 10-7 loss. Great defensive plays included Matt's pick off at 1st while pitching and Sam's two great plays at second when line drives were hit to him. Aaron almost kept the 5th inning rally going by running to first on a dropped 3rd strike, but in a close play, the catcher threw him out.

 

Sept. 11 vs. SPAA Cardinals

Matt made an excellent play when he caught a foul tip and managed to turn two with a great throw to 2nd. He also picked off a runner at 3rd.  Jake drilled the ball for a triple and, with an error on the Cardinals, managed to score. The boys played an intense game and came away with an 8-7 loss.

 

Sept. 18  vs. Bulldogs

Offensively, Ryan had a great hustling single to drive in a run.  Matt had a big double in the third as we took a 7-4 lead.  Aaron and Alex both contributed well by getting on base in every at-bat. Defensively, we didn't have much to talk about.  However, Jake had a simply remarkable starting outing, striking out 7 in just 3 innings.  A struggling defense gave up 5 in those 3 innings though.  Aaron also had a good outing negated by our struggling defense as the Bulldogs came from behind in the last inning to give us another heartbreaking loss 8-7.

 

Sept. 19  vs. Cardinals

What a  difference a day makes!  Almost too many defensive plays to share.  Just another great starting outing, this one by Ryan.  He struck out 5 and only gave up 3 runs in his three innings of work.  Third base seemed to be the place to be as several big plays were made there.  Ryan picked off one, Taylor gunned down two trying to steal, and when he moved to center field, he also threw a runner out trying to advance there on an overthrow.  Aaron made the plays, applying quick tags in each case.  Taylor also came up big with a game ending double play from center; making a tough catch and spinning 360 degrees and throwing a strike to Jonathon at first to double off the runner. Offensively, it was hits galore as every player reached base at least once.  Key hits included Dylan's bases loaded, two out, two strike, triple in the first, putting us out in front 5-0.  Back-to-back two out clutch singles by Sam and Taylor in the third blew it open 12-3.  Then who can forget James' huge blast for a home run to make it 13-3.  Final score 14-3 Raptors!

 

Sept. 25 vs. Wildcats

After a rough start, Kyle settled in and had another solid start on the mound.  Jonathan singled in the first to bring us within one - 3-2 them.  Dylan and Jonathan executed a perfect rundown in the second to get a runner trying to steal home.  A few walks, and singles by Alex and Ryan in the second, pushed the Raptors to 9-3 lead.  Taylor made an outstanding play from left when backing up an overthrow, he gunned down a runner trying to score.  This stalled a would-be rally and Jake slammed the door for another Raptors win 10-6.

 

Oct. 2 vs. All Stars

Aaron had a great outing, with 7 strikeouts in 3 innings.  Kyle closed in style giving up no walks and only one hit in 2 innings.  Alex had a big day defensively; with three put outs - one of which was a diving play on a sinking liner to squash a rally in the second with the score 7-4. Offensively, after a slow first inning the boys unloaded.  James had two memorible shots into the gaps which went for a home run and triple respectively.  Jake also added a blast to right-center which went for a triple and he stretched that to home went the cut-off man was overthrown.  Sam, Dylan, and Matt were on-base in every at-bat and every player reached first base and scored at least once as the Raptors came up big for their third win in a row, 20-5.

Oct. 16 vs. Lions

We started strong, but ran into some control problems in the 3rd and 4th.  We hit the ball well, but give the Lions credit, they came up big on defense.  Matt and Jake were robbed on solid shots in the first, and James in the second.  Sam and Matt had back-to-back hits and cut their lead to 8-3 in the third.  More control problems and a clutch hit hurt as the Lions went away with it 13-4, breaking our three game winning streak.

Oct. 17  vs. Bulldogs

Again, a day can make a big difference.  Control problems again surfaced, but Jake and Aaron overcame them to finish strong.  We started slow, down 6-0 after 1.5 innings.  Jake picked off a runner at second to close a rally in their 2nd.  In our half, a clutch hit by Matt cut it to 6-3, and another by Kyle tied the score when he came around later on a wild pitch.   Dylan threw out two at third in the third to keep it close, 7-6.  We responded with a huge third, with a hit by Sam and two big hits by Ryan to take a stunning 13-7 lead.  Put-outs by Alex and Jake, and Aaron struck out the last batter to seal the 13-7 win!