Cougars Finish Off Rockets
All Saints comeback to win a rained-out game over Reese.
May 23, 2009
By: Kevin Kula
All Saints Cougars took two from the Rockets of Reese. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Though the Cougars already secured the conference title, they still had some unfinished business to take care of with the Reese Rockets. Unfortunately for the Cougars, they picked up the game where they left off with the Rockets ahead 4-3 in the fifth inning.
The Cougars are fired up to finsih this game that was rained out early in May. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
The 'Miko" stretch gets this Rocket out to open the game. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
After some excellent fielding, and a great stop at first from
#9 Matt Mikolajczak, the Cougars were poised to even the odds.
#6 Adam Pijaszek got himself on base quickly, and was advanced to second off a bunt from
#3 Aaron Janer. Seconds later, Pijaszek scored the tying run off a drive from
#7 Kevin Gwizdala. Aaron Janer almost gave the Cougars the lead, but was tagged out at home by the Rockets catcher
#30 Williamson.
Junior Adam Pijaszek slides into second - SAFE!. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Aaron Janer taged out at home. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Pitcher Drew Bauer struck out 6 in the second half of the first game. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
The Cougars rebounded from that set back with the ease that only experience can bring. The Cougars made quick work of Reese's offense and went on the attack again. This time it was
#16 Jimmy Hunter who scored off a huge hit from
#12 Drew Bauer that also advanced Matt 'Miko' to third. Mikolajczaks' time on third was short lived, however, because he ran home thanks to a big hit from #6 Pijaszek. #12 Drew Bauer also capitalized on Pijaszek's hit when he beat the tag from catcher Williamson at home. The Cougars went on to take game one 7-5.
The Jimmer hauls ass to home! (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Senior Drew Bauer slide under the tag - safe at home! (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Game two was a different story for All Saints. The Cougar hitters had some trouble in the opening innings, but the Rockets were having troubles of their own; All Saints pitcher #6 Adam Pijaszek threw some heat that was the demise of three Rockets. The game remained scoreless until the third inning when the Cougars got the ball rolling.
#1 Josh Sutton earned himself a double off of a huge hit that almost went over the fence, and was then advanced to third by Pijaszek. Both Sutton and Pijaszek scored seconds later thanks to a blast from #3 Aaron Janer who had been up against a full count.
Below:(Left) Pitcher Adam Pijaszek readies himself on the mound- (Right) S T R I K E!
Below: Deep to the fence = a double for Josh Sutton!
Aaron Janer earns 2RBI's off this blast! (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
The Rockets silenced the Cougars momentum on a play at first and then went on the attack. The Rockets answered the Cougars with a few big hits off Pijaszek that resulted in two runs scored. Luckily
#18 Thomas Villano was able to stop the Rockets' rally with a huge stop at third.
ASC's Thomas Villano puts the tag on this Rocket to end the inning! (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Tied 2-2, both teams depended on their big hitters to break the stalemate. Unfortunately, neither team was able to claim the lead thanks to excellent defense and stellar pitching. The game remained tied at 2-2 and went into a decisive eighth inning.
Below: Great outfielding is a Cougar trademark! (Left) Josh Sutton (Right) Aaron Janer
#3 Aaron Janer broke his teams offensive cold streak and got himself on base with a single. Although tagged out at first, #7 Gwizdala advanced Janer to 2nd.
#14 Kevin 'fridge' Jakubczak took Janer the rest of the way with a drive down the middle to put All Saints up 3-2. But the Cougars were just getting started.
The Fridge cools down the Rockets pitcher with this blast that earns him an RBI! (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
#12 Drew Bauer made contact with the ball and sent it flying into the outfield; giving Jakubczak ample time to score an insurance run for All Saints. #18 Thomas Villano got himself a RBI by bringing in Bauer on a chip to third base. Villano successfully stole second base, but the Rockets threw #16 Jimmy Hunter out at first to end the Cougars offensive surge at 5-2.
Bauer gets ahold of this pitch - scoring Jakubczak! (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Thomas Villano steals second base! (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
The Cougars allowed only one run in the bottom of the eighth inning to win game two 5-3. The Cougars' record now stands at 22-6. The Cougars will play one more game before heading to districts and the long road to the finals late next week.
Adam Pijaszek unloads to strike out the last two Rockets and end the game! (Pijaszek had 11 K's total) (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)