The Cats started off with two straight wins and a win from game three would have put them in the drivers seat for the second day, but this was not to be.
The tournament started off with a bang as the Lady Cats took the ever tough Emmorton Extreme in a 5-4 game that was closer than it should have been, as the Lady Panthers committed four errors on defense to keep a determined Extreme team in the game. However, as is usually the case in early games, the Cats emerged from their den with some timely hits and erased a 2-0 deficit. With three straight hits to get a run in, Katie S. stepped to the plate with her powerful bat with two Panthers on and promptly nailed a monstrous double to left to score 2 runs and put the cat on top 3-2. Brianna and Jelly combined to limit the Extreme team to only 4 hits and basically shut down their powerful bats. Hitting stars for the game were Lindsay B. and Katie S. as each collected 2 RBI's.
After a long delay between games fans and spectators at game three saw the Cats de-clawed by the Gray Charles Stingers 9-6 in a game that was not as close as the final score indicated. The game did however, provide some excitement as the Cats scored 4 runs in the final inning. The Panthers fell behind early by a deficit of 9-2, but its worth noting that Gabby and Brianna were each robbed of monstrous shots by a very good Gray Charles leftfielder. The Cats did have eight hits, but left too many runners on, several of which were in scoring position. Hitting stars were Gabby with two hits including a two-run homer, Brianna with a triple and two RBI and Sarah G. who chipped in with two hits. Brianna and Jelly combined to allow only four hits, but allowed seven free passes. A win here would have put the cats in possession of first place and would have forced their next opponent to have to beat them twice to win the tournament. Rain that night and the following day forced the tournament to be postponed until the following Saturday.
Unfortunately there is little to say about game five. The Cats did manage two outstanding plays as Katie M. fielded two balls from rightfield and fired two beautiful throws to Megan K. at firstbase to shutdown would be singles. But the Panthers were basically swung by their tails as they seemed powerless against the opposing pitcher. A host of miscues, walks and errors, not to mention a lack of hitting saw the Cats fall 8-0 to the "mercy-rule" and a second place finish.
Hopefully the Cats will sharpen their claws for the next opponent in the Howard County Summer Sizzler on July 31st and August 1st at Rockburn Park in Elkridge, MD.
