FBC Defeats the Moose 19-4

FBC evened their season record at 6-6 as they defeated the Moose 19-4.

Global warming had skyrocketed the mercury up to 59 degrees Fahrenheit as the Moose took the field to play FBC in a Kids Pitch Baseball League game in Mattoon, IL on June 4, 2009. Trevor Edwards walked to start things off for FBC, and he promptly stole second and third in the raging heat before coming home to score the first run of the game as Drake Jeffries singled up the middle. Dalton Stephens had an infield single on the first pitch he saw to place runners at first and second. Dalton Armes took first base as he was plunked high on his back from an errant fastball, loading the bases before Jeffries scored from third on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Skyler Hood as FBC took a 2-0 lead. Stephens got the nod as starter for FBC, and the Moose claimed the lead by scoring 4 runs of their own, due in no small part to poor defense by the FBC squad. Alex Munoz grounded to Stephens, but the throw to the bag was missed by first baseman Michael Brown, and Munoz took second. Garrett Jones walked as Munoz advanced to third on a wild pitch. John Rasmussen popped up to Stephens for the first out of the inning, and both runners took off when the ball was hit, so Stephens threw to first in an attempt to double off Jones. The ball was dropped by Brown and Munoz was able to come home safely. Another wild pitch from Stephens put Jones at second base, and he scored when Zack Shores singled into left field. Shores took second on the throw home, and he crossed the plate on a single into right off the bat of Alec Bianco. Grady White hit a sharp liner up the middle, advancing Bianco to third base, and Bianco scored on an error by Michael Brown at first base, giving the Moose a 4-2 lead.

FBC took the lead for good in the top of the second inning as they sent 9 batters to the plate. The big blow of the inning came off the bat of Damien Ferguson, who drove a 3-0 fastball deep into center field for a bases-clearing, 3 run double. Had he not been impeded by not 1, but 2 Moose fielders standing in the baseline, he probably would have had a grand slam, but unfortunately, no defensive obstruction was called.

Donovan Ferguson made his catching debut in the bottom of the third inning, and he did a great job behind the dish. He caught 2 innings of shutout ball as teammate Brayton Sparrow came in relief from the bullpen to shut down the Moose. Donovan did such a good job blocking the ball that the Moose players were not able even to attempt to steal when they reached base safely. Donovan came into the dugout after the third inning had come to a close, very pleased that he had taken 2 foul balls off of his facemask. Brayton Sparrow also reported that he was very happy having Donovan as his catcher. Sparrow also went 2 for 2 with the stick with an RBI and he was hit by a pitch at the plate, so he was awarded the game ball at the close of the contest.

Damien Ferguson came to bat with the bases loaded again in the top of the fifth inning with his first cousin once removed, Grady White, pitching for the Moose. Grady proceeded to plunk Damien on the helmet with a fastball. The pitch hit Damien hard enough that it drove his helmet into the side of his face and neck, leaving a slight bruise. Grady was moved to first base, where he and Damien laughed about the pitch. Damien's mom was overheard to say following the beaning, "Did he lose any teeth?" Damien had 1 and a half permanent teeth get knocked out earlier this year while playing basketball, and he just got the half tooth fixed on June 1. The other tooth that came completely out seems to be doing well as it still continues to be wired in place.

Donovan Ferguson drove in the last run of the game as he drew a bases loaded walk in a very good at-bat in which he saw 10 pitches in the top of the fifth.