7 0
That's the score for a forfeit, and unfortunately, the Reds minimum 7th player didn't arrive until 6:45, well after the curfew. We played an inning of exhibition ball until the rain hit.

13 7
Noah made his pitching debut, and while he struggled with his consistency and control, he showed definite potential, including a strikeout of the Dodgers most powerful hitter. Javier also got a turn to toe the rubber. He has a strong arm, but was consistently up and out of the strike zone, which means it shouldn't take too big an adjustment to get him into the strikezone. Ian and Kurt continued to carry the young offense, as most of our new hitters are still figuring things out at the plate.

15 6
Jack pitched for the first time, and looked very good over two innings. He made a nice play to C Ian to end the second inning. Offensively, Kurt smoked a triple into right field, Ian continues to swing a hot bat and Alex picked up his second hit of the season. Joseph also had some excellent swings. Defensively, while we continue to struggle, there is improvement. We're usually now making about half a play. To wit, 2B Alex making a nice pickup on a grounder, but not quite getting the ball out of his glove quick enough, or 3B Brennon snagging the throw on a steal attempt, but not applying the tag in time. Once we start to make the other half of the play, we'll have something.

17 9
Noah pitched the first two innings, and threw a lot more strikes than in his previous outing. There may have been ball magnets hidden under our uniforms, as Reds were hit 5 times with pitches in this game. Alex set a record by being hit twice in the same inning. Later on, he retaliated and hit the ball back. Debbie continued to reach base through both the walk and HBP, while Kurt slammed another ball to the fence in right field, legging out a triple. He would later steal home. Brennon chipped in with a multi-hit game.

24 5
The score's not flattering, but we did a large number of things better in this game than in the one previous. Fielding a team of nine was a good start. Defensively, we were more prepared on every pitch and it showed. 1B Noah got the game off to a good start smothering a tough grounder and retiring the Mariners lead off man. The Mariners smacked the ball all over the place, but our fielders were better prepared, and helped each other out with quicker relays and cutoff throws. On a ball lined over his head, LF Joseph's hustle and quick throw held the Mariner hitter to a single. Olivier returned after a two-week absence, and though his control was rusty, he definitely has the arm strength and make up to be a pitcher. On offense, Brennon added two more hits, Ian picked up a base hit and Justin continued to swing the bat well and was rewarded with solid contact. Our offensive highlight was Lasceika scorching a ball down the first base line in her very first at-bat. On defense, P Kurt and 1B Brennon combined on a 1-3 double play.

16 6
Our most complete effort of the season to date. The Reds leapt out to a 4-0 lead thanks to a rally sparked by Lasceika's bases-loaded single. Noah got the start and logged 2 solid innings, helping himself out on defense by snaring a tough comebacker. RF Vanessa threw out a Cardinal stretching for a double, while C Kurt ran down a runner from third trying to score a short tapper. Jack pitched innings 3 and 4 and was terrific, throwing consistent strikes and keeping the Cardinal bats in check. The game also saw two Reds debuts: Vanessa singled in her first at-bat, and later scored two runs, including one on a not-quite-textbook slide at home; Renisha, called up now that Rookie Ball is over, looked right at home, reaching base twice. Jack had his best offensive game as well, with a smash to second base, and a 2-run single. Justin chipped in with a pair of RBI singles, and made a nice 4-3 putout at second. Olivier played a solid game at short, and completed a 1-6-1 relay with C Kurt to nab a Cardinal trying to steal home. Kurt closed out the game with a shutout 5th, striking out two.

9 6
Another very solid effort. Noah allowed just a run over two innings of work, playing good defence himself, and getting good help behind him from 1B Brennon. The Reds should have scored in the first, but Kurt lined a laser beam right at the shortstop and Lasceika was doubled off second, ending the rally. Down 1-0 in the second, the Reds tied the score after Brennon singled, swiped his way to third and was singled home by Noah. Kurt pitched a shutout 3rd, with some help from C Ian, who threw out a Dodger trying to steal 2nd. The offense struck for 4 in the bottom of the 3rd, on an RBI single by Kurt and a 2-run single by Brennon, who later swiped home. The Dodgers struck back for 5, in an inning which we were close top escaping 4 different times. Trailing 6-5, the Reds scored 4 times in the fourth to hand Ian a 3-run lead. The Dodgers put two runners on, but SS Olivier handled a hot grounder and flipped to 3B Noah for a putout. With 2 down and the bases loaded, Ian fielded a short grounder and completed a 1-2 putout to preserve the victory.

14 12
Not exactly a pitcher's duel, as both teams took turns beating up each other's hurlers. Noah smacked a 2-run double, his first of two hits on the night. Brennon had a tremendous at bat, fouling off 4 straight pitches and working a full count before drawing a walk. It was Brennon's two-run double in the final inning that put the Reds ahead. Kurt then took the mound and worked a shutout inning to preserve the win.

12 8
The Dodgers were a little short-handed for this one and used some inexperienced pitchers. Ian slapped a pitch that one-hopped the plate into right field. Noah continued to swing a hot bat, picking up three more base hits, bringing his total for the week to five. The Reds ran up an 8-1 lead, but the middle of the Dodgers order pounded the ball and cut the lead to 8-7. P Jack had a much better outing than last time, and helped himself out by snagging a fly ball to end a Dodgers rally. The offense continued to roll up runs. Vanessa collected another base hit and Joseph had a particularly good at-bat, fighting off five pitches with two strikes. The Reds eventually ended up with an 18-8 lead, but the final six runs were wiped out with curfew.

13 5
Not a great night for the Little Red Machine. The on-field action wasn't so bad - an improvement on our last meeting with the Mariners - but not one, but two different Reds showed up with broken bones, leaving us a little short-handed. Bradley was loaned to us by the Mariners for the night. The hitting wasn't too bad against the league's best pitching staff. Noah continued to slap the ball everywhere. Olivier, making his return launched a double over the head of the centre fielder, Kurt scorched a safety and Vanessa continues to make contact. Luckily, we were able to group all of these hits for a 5-run outburst. Defensively, Noah pitched two terrific innings, with solid support from 1B Kurt and 2B Vanessa. Olivier pitched the 3rd, but didn't have great control and we needed Bradley to come in and pitch against his own team to escape a jam. A big thank you to Bradley, it's not easy to play against your own team.

9 8
We actually had 9 Reds turn up for this one, which was a nice surprise following last game. Ian got the start and pitched well. In the second, he walked the leadoff batter, only to have C Kurt erase him trying to steal second. With two away, a Justin-Olivier-Ian-Kurt relay nipped a runner at the plate and ended the inning. Noah pitched the 3rd, but wasn't sharp and the Cards touched him up for 4 runs. Kurt pitched the 4th and 5th, allowing just a run. That made the score 8-2 Cardinals heading into our last at bat. Prior to that inning, we couldn't get anything going. Noah singled home Ian in the first, and walked with the bases loaded to force in another run in the 3rd, but that was it. Olivier had two great at bats in which he fouled off about eight pitches. Renisha also took some good cuts and made her first contact, but we couldn't bunch anything together, and stranded a bunch of runners. Joseph was able to steal a pair of bases on a broken toe, but ultimately had to leave the game about halfway through, leaving us with 8 players. Kurt lead off the 5th with a single, and was driven in by Noah, who advanced to 2nd on an overthrow. Three batters later, he trotted home, as the Cards pitcher lost the strikezone. With the score 8-6, Kurt came to the plate as our 9th and last batter. He ripped a ball into centre field, scoring Debbie, Vanessa and Ian for a game-winning walkoff triple.

13 12
The Reds got off to a big start in this one, with 9th batter Kurt clearing the bases to end the first inning. Justin pitched and looked pretty good, he'll do more of that next season. Only 6 Reds showed for up this one. Aaron of the Mariners helped out, and Debbie arrived late to give us just enough players to avoid a forfeit. The Dodgers clawed back with some big innings of their own, which are easier when you only have 7 defenders in the field. The Reds took a 12-11 lead into the final inning, but the Dodgers mounted a rally and chipped in two runs for the win.

6 5
Aaron of the Mariners helped out again, as the Reds' walking wounded weren't quite ready to rejoin the lineup. The Reds couldn't get anything going for much of the game, but our pitching kept us in the game, with good work by Noah, Ian and Kurt. Trailing 6-2 in our final at bat, the Reds bats finally strung together some hits and a 3-run rally, keyed by Ian's double to left field. With two down, Ian attempted a steal of home, and while it seemed he got under the tag, he was called out to end a spirited, competetive game. Some highlights included Renisha, our youngest player, taking 12 good swings and making a nice play at 2B.

Playoffs

14 13
Quite the seesaw game, not quite a pitching duel. The Reds jumped out to a 4-0 lead, as a Renisha picked a perfect time to pick up her first base hit, a 2-run single. The Cards struck back for 6, as Jack's control wasn't sharp. Noah was able to bail him out and help us escape the inning. The Reds responded with 6 of their own, including hits by Joseph and Vanessa, to take a 10-6 lead. Ian took the mound in the second, and didn't have his control either. He hit two batters to bookend a 5-run Cards rally, and two HBPs means the pitcher has to be pulled. Noah came to the rescue again. Then for a change of pace, both teams threw up a scoreless inning. Trailing 11-10, the Reds rallied with consecutive singles by Ian, Kurt, Noah and Olivier. Joesph knocked in a 4th run with a groundout and the Reds took a 14-11 lead into the bottom of the last. The Cardinals scratched out a pair, but with the tying run on 3rd, Kurt struck out the final batter to preserve the win.

10 9
The Reds couldn't get anything going for four innings offensively. Defensively, we weren't bad, but we couldn't quite escape an inning unscathed. The Cards just kept picking up two out hits and turning scorelss innings into 2-run innings, eventually compiling a 10-2 lead heading to the bottom of the 5th and final inning. Allowed a maximum 9 batters, things didn't look promising. Then the impossible almost happened. Debbie and Ian walked, Kurt singled, Noah singled, Joseph singled, Olivier singled, Renisha crushed a double to the hill in left field. Vanessa was retired, and then Justin drove Renisha home, but the Cards were able to get the ball to the plate as Justin reached second base to end the threat and the game. One of the most remarkable innings in team history.

6 4
Great conclusion to a great series. After two slugfests, this was more of a pitching duel. The Reds opened the scoring with a 2-out rally in the first. Kurt singled, Noah singled and Joseph walked to load the bases. Olivier hit a shot to left field to plate Kurt. The Cards struck back with a run against Noah in the first, but 3B Brennon made a nice play on a bases loaded rally to limit the damage. The Cards scratched out another run in the 2nd to take a 2-1 lead. In the 4th, Ian and Kurt singled to lead off, and were driven home on a shot by Noah. The Cards tied the score in the bottom of the inning. In the 5th, our rookies strung together a rally. Justin walked, Vanessa and Alex singled, and an RBI groundout by Lasceika (back from a broken arm after a month). Once again, the Reds couldn't hold the lead, and we went to the top of the 6th tied 4-4. Ian singled and Kurt took an HBP to set up the inning. With two down, Olivier walked to load the bases. Then Renisha walked to force in the go ahead run. Kurt stole home shortly after for an insurance run. Ian took the mound in the bottom of the sixth and struck out the side in order - his best pitching performance to date (nice timing) to preserve the win and send the Reds to their 4th straight Championship Final.

20 6
The game started pretty well, as Noah held the powerful Mariners offense to just a run in the first inning. The Reds bounced back with a run their half, as Kurt came around to score and even the game. In the second inning, the roof fell in. The Mariners sent nine batters to the plate and pounded the ball everywhere, including a bases-loaded shot into the weeds on the hill in left field. That was pretty much the end of the game, though we did have some nice moments. 1B Noah made a spectacular snare of a laser with the bases loaded to save at least 3 runs. Olivier had a fine game, smacking two hits, including a double to the fence. Ultimately, the Mariners had just too much pitching and offense. Aside from a forfeit, they didn't lose a game all season and made very deserving champions. The Reds can still be proud of a season in which they showed tremendous improvement and reached their fourth straight championship final.