Rain Delays Win

     Kennesaw- The Thunder travelled to Adams Park to take on the Acworth White team on a hot, sunny afternoon.  The boys looked sharp in the gold uniforms and came out swinging in the first.  For the first time all season, more than one player was sporting the "old school" look with socks showing to the knees. Max and Noah joined Mercer rocking the socks. It was 88˚  when the first pitch was thrown at 4:58 EDT. Kenny started things with a single to right. The Acworth pitcher balked the runner over and Mercer hit the ball to the right side to move Kenny to third. Jack and Max followed with RBI singles and after a another balk and wild pitch, the Thunder had a 3-0 lead heading to the bottom of the first.  The first four runners reached for the White team and 2 quick runs were scored. After a fly out to Hammond in center and pop to the pitcher Kenny Andrews, a wild pitch plated a third run for the Acworth team. Ben "Gunnner" Thilo caught the runner sleeping at third and picked him off for the third out of the first frame. Throughout the first inning, the wind picked up from the north and dark clouds ominously appeared.

 

     JJ led off the second with a solid single and after yet another balk and wild pitch, ended up a third. Ben followed with an RBI single and moved over to second on a wild pitch. Gaines moved the runner over to third. As Mercer stepped into the box, a strike of lightning close by halted the game with one out and runners on the corners. 

     The one hour and 40 minute rain/lightning delay ended at 8:25 and the temperature had dropped 20˚ .

Mercer stepped up to the plate with a controversial 0-1 count and hit a grounder to first and picked up an RBI. Jack followed with a double to double up the Acworth White 6-3. The bottom of the second started with a solid single up the middle for Acworth. A balk and a bunt moved the runner to third and that runner scored on an E2.  A single and back-to-back doubles put the White up 7-6. Mercer made a nice catch in left and almost doubled up the runner at first. The inning ended with a nice play by Gaines at second, throwing out the runner just in time.

     Acworth made a pitching change and a tall, goggled side-armer warmed up on the mound. The Thunder were able to tie up the game at 7, but a devastating curve ball struck out the side. Gnats came out in the bottom of the third, tormenting the field ump and several players, but new pitcher Connor Mashman was throwing darts. A walk and a single led to a run, but more stellar defense by Gaines and a strike out to end the inning on a full count had the Thunder rumbling.

     In the fourth, Gaines reached on an error and Kenny followed with a single. A wild pitch moved the runners up and Mercer hit a smash to third, scoring Gaines and the Thunder had tied it at 8. Jack followed up with an RBI single to give the Thunder a one run lead. Heading to the last half inning, Mashman took control of the game. He struck out two and the last batter hit a swinging bunt that Max pounced on and threw out the runner to seal the win for the Thunder. 

Interesting stats and facts:

-Jack Purdy was 3-3 with 2 singles, a double and 3 RBI

-Mercer Buechner had 2 RBI's without the benefit of a hit

-Thunder pitchers (Andrews, Mashman) issued only 3 walks

-Errors were few and far between at 2! Way to go Thunder!

-Six balks were called in the game

-Smoking is only allowed in the parking area at Adams Park

-372 miles logged so far

So long everybody.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E	L
DHYS Thunder	3	3	1	2			9	9	2	6
Acworth White	3	4	1	0			8	9	3	5