Opening Day - April 4 - @ Chili Peppers

So, our opening day was Saturday, April 4.

The day started off with the early morning 'Picture Day'. We showed up at the fields at 10am to take our team pictures. It was great to finally see everyone in their uniforms, looking sharp. Also, it was great to see the other teams getting ready for the 1st day of the season. Plus the little ones were playing during our pictures and that's always great to watch.

After we got our pictures out of the way, we picked up our fundrasing orders and went our separate ways until game time - 3pm. We played the Chili Peppers for our first game of the season.

1st Inning
Leading off, Janessa walked to get on base, then Alli hit a single and got on base as well. They both stole their way into scoring position. Tess came up to bat and one of the pitches got past the catcher and Janessa tried, but was thrown out at home. Alli managed to make it to 3rd on the play. On the next pitch, the Chili Peppers' pitcher managed to get the last strike past Tess to get the 2nd out of the inning. Kelsey came up to bat and was eventually walked, putting runners on 1st and 3rd. Gabby walked and the bases were loaded. Hylah was next and was hit by a stray pitch bringing Alli in and putting us on the board. The pitcher was then able to strike Sara out to close the side.

Tess took her spot at the rubber. The 1st batter got a piece of the ball, the grounder went directly back to Tess and throwing quickly to Kelsey at 1st got the 1st out. Tess made quick work of the 2nd batter, striking her out. The 3rd batter walked to get on base, then stole her way to 2nd. The 4th batter was also able to connect and hit a grounder through our infield to left center for a double, bringing in 1 run for the Chili Peppers and also getting them on the board. The 5th batter walked, putting runners on 1st and 3rd. The 6th batter then came up and was able to hit a single, the Lightning tried for the out at 1st, but didn't get it and the runner at 3rd was able to score. The 7th batter hit the ball, but the Lightning defense was able to get the ball back to Hylah at catcher to take out the lead runner at home, holding the Chili Peppers to 2 runs in the inning.

Purple Lightning 1 - Chili Peppers - 2

2nd Inning
The 2nd inning was pretty uneventful for either side. Erin came up to bat, but was walked. Maia and Caitlin were next and both struck out. Alexis was hit by a pitch and took a walk putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Yazmine hit a grounder to the Chili Peppers short stop who made the throw to 1st getting Yazmine out at 1st, holding us to 1 point so far for the game.

Kelsey was tapped to pitch in the 2nd. The 1st batter hit a single to get on base. The 2nd batter connected and sent the ball into the outfield. After some confusion, the Lightning outfield was able to get the ball back in holding the runners at 1st and 3rd. The 3rd batter connected as well, this time sending it out to right field causing a little commotion out there again. The Chili Peppers were able to get 1 run across the plate and advance the other runners to 2nd and 3rd. Regaining her composure, Kelsey managed to strike out the 4th batter. The next batter walked to load the bases, but unfazed Kelsey strung together 3 more strikes on the next Chili Pepper batter. The 7th batter hit a fly ball to Gabby at short stop and catching the ball, Gabby was able shut the Chili Peppers down for the inning.

Purple Lightning 1 - Chili Peppers - 3

3rd Inning
Down 2 points in the 3rd, Purple Lightning came up to bat. Back at the top of the order, Janessa hit a single and with a missed throw to 1st, got on base, then she stole her way to 2nd. Alli and Tess both took a walk and the bases were loaded. At her turn at bat, Kelsey hit a single, bringing in Janessa. Gabby walked, bringing in Alli. The pitcher was then able to get 3 strikes past Hylah for the 1st out of the inning. Then a series of walks on Sarah, Erin, Maia, Caitlin, Alexis and Yazmine and Gabby and Kelsey scoring left us with bases loaded and 8 runs so far in the inning. Janessa came back up to bat and this time ripped one out to the outfield for a double, bringing 2 more runs in. Tess came up to bat and Yazmine at 3rd strategically left 3rd base early. This with an out on an earlier steal attempt by Caitlin, closed out the 3rd inning for Purple Lightning.

Tess was back at pitcher for the 3rd. The 1st batter hit the ball straight to Yazmine at 2nd who made the throw to Sarah at 1st for the out. The 2nd batter walked. Tess struck out the 3rd batter, but not before the runner on base was able to steal her way to scoring position. The next batter walked putting runners on 1st and 3rd. The 5th batter got on base with a single, bringing a runner in and the 6th batter was able to hit a double bringing 2 more across the plate. The 7th batter walked putting runners on 1st and 2nd. The 8th batter connected, but Tess was able to field the ball and get it to Sarah at 1st for the 3rd out.

Purple Lightning 11 - Chili Peppers - 6

4th Inning
Leading for the first time in the game, the Lightning came to bat to try to extend their lead. Alli was up first and walked. Tess got a base hit and Kelsey hit a grounder to the short stop and, with the missed catch at 1st, was safe and once again, the bases were loaded. Both Gabby and Hylah walked, bringing in 2 more for our side. Sarah hit one to the infield on the 3rd base side. She made it on base since the Chili Peppers opted to go after our lead runner (Kelsey) who was heading home. Kelsey wasn't as lucky this time and they were able to get the out. Erin was up next and took a walk, bringing Gabby home. Then, Maia hit the ball. Runners were on the move and Hylah started for home. Once again, the Chili Peppers defense went for the lead runner and went 2 for 2 as they made their play. Caitlin came up to bat, but the pitcher was able to get 3 over for the strike out and the 3rd out of the inning.

Kelsey came back to pitch for the 4th. Making quick work of the 1st batter, Kelsey notched the 1st out of the inning. 2nd and 3rd batters both walked, but Kelsey was able to get it back by striking out the 4th Chili Pepper batter. On the next few batters, the Chili Peppers tried to mount a comeback. 5th batter connected, bringing in 1. 6th batter hit one out to left field, scoring 2. 7th brought another runner across the plate with a single. The 8th batter walked and the 9th batter connected as well, bringing 2 more home and closing the distance. With this string of action, the Chili Peppers whittled the Lightning lead to 2 points. The Chili Peppers then tried to squeeze out a couple more runs by calling in a bunt. Kelsey and Tess were on top of it though and Kelsey was able to field the ball and toss it to Tess for the last out of the inning and the game.

Final Score
Purple Lightning 14 - Chili Peppers - 12