The Threes Are Wild for Donovan Ferguson in 8-7 Victory

Donovan Ferguson went 3 for 3 with 3 runs batted in while scoring 3 runs to ignite his Jackson Dealerships Coach Pitch Baseball team to victory in the fourth round of post-season tournament play.

Jackson finished the regular season with a 7-9 record, but this was good enough to earn them the #2 seed from the West Division, as well as a first round bye. They lost their first game in the double-elimination tournament to the Little Schoolhouse, 18-6, before bouncing back with victories over D to Z (13-6) and Lorenz (8-7).

Donovan also brought his glove with him to this game. He had 3 putouts and 3 assists from his shortstop position, with the key play coming in the top of the second inning as Jackson pulled off the triple play trifecta. Lorenz's first 2 batters reached safely by hitting singles into left field, bringing up Wyatt Webb. Webb hit a line drive that looked as if it was heading into center field, and both runners took off. Sam Perry, playing the pitcher position, would have no part in conceding the hit, and he snagged the hard hit liner for out number 1. Perry wheeled and fired the ball to first baseman Jacob Spitz, who caught the throw and stepped on first to double up Kayden Rice for out number 2. In the meantime, Donovan Ferguson called for the ball and raced for second when he noticed that Daniel Rayner, who had occupied second base, had not returned to the bag. Rayner sprinted back towards second as first baseman Spitz fired the ball towards Donovan. The southpaw's throw sailed towards the right field side of the bag, and Donovan stretched with all of his might to catch ball while keeping his right foot on the bag. He caught the ball just before Rayner reached second, completely the rare, but exciting, triple play!

It was nice to see the umpire get into very good position to make the call. He was right on top of the play, and I believe he made the correct call. Nobody argued, either, and I doubt there would have been any argument had he ruled the runner safe. It was a very close bang-bang play, but as I said, I believe he made the right call. As it turned out, the play probably ended up being the difference between a win and a loss since the score ended up being a 1 run contest.