Lightning Postpones Thunder Win

  
     Sandy Springs- Friday night baseball in Atlanta had the DHYS Thunder up against the Wills Park Eagles out of Alpharetta.  Just 30 minutes prior to the game, blue sky was slightly softened by billowing white clouds. Both teams were introduced individually and the Star Spangled Banner was played.  Parents consulted their weather apps as the skies began to suddenly darken.  The home-plate ump yelled "Play ball!" and the first pitch to leadoff hitter Kenny Andrews was thrown by the Wills Park right-hander at 6:04, with a temperature in the high 80's. Andrews hit a pop to short right field that was handled nicely by the second baseman. Noah Hammond followed with a single and stole second. With one out, James Huey hit a swinging bunt that the catcher threw over the first baseman's head, allowing Hammond to score. The moment that Noah crossed the plate, the lightning detector siren went off and play was halted. Strong storms moved through the area and the game was postponed until Saturday morning at 9:00.
     The game resumed right on schedule with a humid temperature of 68˚. With James Huey on, Ryan hit a grounder to the shortstop who gunned him out at first for the final out of the postponed inning.  Ryan started on the mound for the Thunder and after loading up the bases with two walks and an error, struck out the side to retire the Eagles in the first, although a run scored on a wild pitch.  Mercer started off the second with a first pitch double in the gap. Jarrett struck out, but the catcher could not hold on to the ball and then threw the ball into the right field corner, allowing Mercer to score and Jarrett to advance to second. Ben moved the runner to third and Gaines hit a bloop single for an RBI to give the Thunder a 3-1 lead. Up next, Kenny hit an infield single and a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third. Noah had a fielders choice RBI and Jack followed with a single and RBI. James got in on the hit parade with a  L O N G single RBI to move the lead up to 6-1.  Ryan held the Eagles again in the bottom of the second and no runs scored.
     Mercer led off the inning with a single after falling behind 0-2. Ben reached on an error and Mercer moved to third.  Gaines struck out but reached on a wild pitch that got away from the catcher. With Kenny up, another wild pitch allowed Mercer to hustle home for the seventh run. Kenny lined a single up the middle scoring Ben and Gaines. Noah and Jack both had singles and the inning ended with a 9 run lead for the Thunder. In the bottom of the third, the Eagles got only one run and Ben picked off a runner at third to end the inning.
     In the top of the fourth, Mercer again led off with a single, but the Thunder could not get any runs across.  Noah Hammond came on to pitch the bottom half and shut down the Eagles on just eight pitches.  The Thunder scored one run in the fifth on a wild pitch and led 11-2.
     Noah was still on the mound in the bottom half of the fifth, with Max behind the plate.  The first six batters for Wills Park reached and the score was 11-6. Jack Purdy relieved Noah, allowing one more run, but shut down the Eagles with two strikeouts.  The Thunder added two insurance runs in the sixth to run the score to 13-7.  In the last frame for the Eagles, Jack gave up a leadoff single, but then struck out  the next batter. After a walk and a great sliding catch by Beek in left field, the Wills Park baserunner was caught in a run-down and retired for the final out of the game. Thunder win 13-7.


Interesting stats and facts:
- Thunder pounded out 15 hits in the game
- Strong pitching from Ryan (3 inn. 2ER) and Jack (1 2/3 inn. 0ER)
- Nicest bathrooms yet at NYO.
- "Don't look... RUN!"
- 504 miles logged so far.

So long everybody.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E	L
DHYS Thunder	1	5	4	0	1	2	13	15	4	10
Wills Park Eagles	1	0	1	0	5	0	7	6	5	7