Gabe pitched the best game of his young life last night.
The Countryside little league has always been our biggest rival. They have better facilities, are usually better coached overall and have fared better in competitions than our league. As a matter of fact, we lost to them in the District 12 title game last year for the 10-11 division.
Even in the regular season, Gabe had never been on a team that beat a Countryside team. Usually they were more talented than our teams, but we lost even when we had the greater skills.
So, last night was a real treat.
Gabe pitched an exceptional game against the Countryside Giants. The Cards won 3-2... a game very well played by both teams, a game in which the two runs scored against us were unearned and a game in which we were twice tagged out at home plate on great throws by the Giants from the outfield.
But most importantly, it was a game in which Gabe threw 15 strike-outs!
To put it into perspective, Gabe's strike out total for the first-half of the season was 11. He has always been very good at getting batters to two strikes, but had trouble finishing them off. Last night, facing an umpire we had used before that liked low and outside pitches, when up two strikes, Gabe would hit the low/outside corner and ring up the batters.
I think there were only six batters that hit the ball at all and less than that actually got on base.
He was so proud! And, I'll admit, I was a bit giddy myself.
Unfortunately, I usually only video tape Gabe's hitting, so I don't have a video to show you of his pitching success. Who would have thought, of all nights, he'd do so well in the cold, windy Countryside field. Fifteen strike-outs and a 0.00 ERA... it rarely gets better than that.
On a day where my father was heavily on my mind... to have such a great night as a father with my son... well, it was very special.
This was a nice start to the second half of the season. We have another game tonight against the Countryside Phillies... let's see if we can make it two-in-a-row.
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4 comments:
Gabe, congratulations on a great game. Thanks for calling me last night. It was great to hear about your 15 strikeouts. What a great accomplishment. Three more strikeouts and you would have gotten all of the outs for the game. I heard JR Richard (he pitched for the Astros and could throw a 95 MPH slider) tell a young pitcher that it is more important to learn how to hit your spots than it is to throw hard. As you get bigger you will throw harder, but to throw hard and hit your spots, that will make you a great pitcher.
Gabe,I'm sure grampa was up in Heaven watching your game last night. I am very proud of you, even when you don't hit or pitch well. You are a fine young man and I pray each day that you play well and not get injured. Go Cards!!!
Love you gma.
WOW! Great job Gabe! We're proud of you!
Gabe - you dah MAN!
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