Eagles fall short against Holy Trinity losing 4-3
April 14, 2012
The TMA baseball squad has been playing some great baseball lately and it continued today in their game against Holy Trinity. The Eagle squad had previously won three games in a row while scoring 10 or more runs in each of those victories, but today was a different story as the squad couldn't scratch out a timely hit.
The visiting Eagles jumped out to a quick lead scoring two runs in the third for the early lead. The Lions however would respond with two runs of their own in their bottom half of the inning to knot the score at 2-2. Both teams held their opponents scoreless in the 4th inning, but the Lions were able to pick up a clutch two out double into the right center field gap for a 4-2 lead in their home half of the 5th inning. The Eagles wouldn't go without a fight as they scratched out a run of their own in the top of the 6th closing the gap to 4-3. The score remained 4-3 after 6 complete innings. However the TMA kept fighting to the very last out was made. The first two Eagle hitters struck out in the top of the 7th to give the Eagles two quick outs, but still would not without a battle. Clean up hitter Steven Miles battled to a 3-2 count and then ripped a single into center field for his first of the game. Both Austin Mauer and Robert Marant had quality at bats by drawing walks to load the bases with two out and bringing Cole Iturrioz to the plate who popped up the catcher on a 2-0 to end the game.
Eagles starting pitcher David Saunders threw the ball really well today going 5 innings allowing 4 runs, only 1 was earned. He allowed 4 hits and struck out 5 hitters while competing the whole game. Zach Lowe relieved Saunders who had ran into pitch count issues. Lowe quickly got a quick out but ran into location issues and walked the next two hitters to load the bases with one out. Lowe was relieved by his brother Evan Lowe who quickly got an infield pop up and ground out to strand the runners.
"I was really proud of offensive attack today", said Coach Girdner. "We have been swinging it really well lately and it continued today. Both Steven Miles and Austin Mauer hit the ball exceptionally hard all game long but wasn't able to find the whole but once each. Hats off the to the Lions defense as they made some incredible plays. Thanks in part to the Lions defensive web gems the Eagles stranded 11 base runners. Steven Miles hit three rockets that we snagged and prevented RBI opportunities for the Eagle squad, his last at bat may have been his best at bat of the season. He battled against a pretty good left handed in pitcher who had previously struck out guys putting pressure on him to come through and keep things going. He responded with a full count laser into center field to extend the inning. If just one of those previous balls get through we win the game", said Coach Girdner.
"We are improving every time out, even in this tough loss there are a lot of positive things to take away from the game and to build on."
Next up for the Eagles is cross town rival Trinity Prep on Tuesday night at 6:30pm.
