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STAMPEDE Stuns Mustangs With 8 Late Runs

Jun. 22, 2012

As home team via coinflip win versus the East Meadow Mustangs, Smithtown started sluggishly at the East Meadow Baseball Complex last night.  Elliott was on the mound to start for Smithtown against a Mustang team that came out swinging.  A single, double and walk loaded the bases, followed by a SAC fly to RF for the 1st run of the game.  Two more walks forced a run in, and Josh came in to relieve, down 2 - 0.

An excuse-me check-swing bloop to RF scored 2 more and an error made it 5 - 0.  After retiring the side, Smithtown needed to get their offense going.  Nick the Stick (2-2, 3R, 2B, 2BB, HBP) lead off with a double to the fence in left center.  He stole third and scored on Josh's one out single.   Frankie reached on an E4, but the rally fizzled.   5 - 1 Mustangs.

In the 2nd, Josh allowed a leadoff singleand a walk.  A scorching liner was hit to SS Nick who took one step left, snared it, & flipped to Hit Man Anthony for the "pitcher's best friend".  The Big Cat also stepped up in the 3rd, charging hard on a would-be single to RF.  Big Cat scooped & fired to Elliott for the 9/3 robbery.  Josh was ticked for an unearned run in the 4th after a walk & error, and was relieved by Frankie, who got the final out.  Frankie was dinged up a bit in the 5th as he gave up 3 hits and 2 runs before settling in to retire the final 7 batters in a row.

Smithtown added one in the 4th after Hit Man walked, and Elliott hit a seeing-eye looper over the mound for a single.  The Stick rocketed a single to left to load the bases.  Salvatore topped a roller near the 3B line that the Mustang pitcher could not handle, scoring Hit Man.  Down 8 - 2 entering the 5th, Smithtown took advantage of 8 walks and 3 Mustang hurlers to close the gap to 8 - 7 after 5.  With 3 runs and the lead coming in the bottom of the 6th, Smithtown was still looking for the big hit.  It would not come.  Two walks (Hit Man, Elliott, Big Cat) and a hit batter (The Stick) got a tough RBI across the plate.  Now 8 - 8, and time for excitement.  On a failed suicide squeeze, Elliott was nabbed, and The Stick & Big Cat took 2nd & 3rd respectively as Elliott smartly extended the rundown.

Salvatore stepped back in and a high 2 out fly to LF.  The Mustang left fielder back-tracked and seemed to have it measured.  The ball possibly knuckled, the LF flipped his glove over and the ball kicked out, landing to his right.  Two insurance runs scored, now 10 - 8 Smithtown. 

Frankie struck out 3 of his final 6 batters, got some middle infield help, and helped himself in the last 2 frames.  A rope liner deflected by Frankie was corraled by SS Nick by the bag at 2B and fired to 1B Elliott for a 1/6/3 out.  Frankie then snagged a one-hopper, followed by the game-ender... 2B Hit Man ranged left into the hole and threw a strike to Elliott to put the improbable victory in the books for Team STAMPEDE.