The First National Bank Cal Ripken Baseball League team defeated the Police 9-3 on Monday, June 22, 2009. With the win, First National's record improved to 9-2.
Daniel Ferguson, who had come into the game without striking out all season, went 1 for 3 at the plate with an RBI double, 2 runs scored and 2 strikeouts. Daniel's bat, which had performed so well with him all season, cracked late last week during batting practice, so he had to use some other bats with which he was not yet very familiar in the game. (Mom has subsequently gone Ebaying, and a new bat should arrive any day now, hopefully in time for Daniel to get used to it before the All Star tournament this coming Fourth of July weekend.) Even though Daniel struck out swinging in his first at bat, he did not let that hold him back. He immediately sprinted down the first base line as the ball was not caught by the catcher, and he made it easily onto first safely. He stole second before coming around to score on an RBI double by Payton Hartbank. Daniel also showed how valuable and "heads up" a player he is in the top of the fourth inning. Daniel had doubled home teammate Garion Smyser from second base, bringing up Payton Hartbank. Hartbank lofted a towering popup on the infield, and when the first baseman stumbled making the catch, Daniel took off for third. The first baseman's throw from his knees was late and it just eluded the third baseman's glove, but that was all Daniel needed for him to race home safely. This was even more impressive considering the heat index at the time was sweltering over 100 degrees, and yet Daniel still hustled at all times.
Daniel also pitched 2 solid innings of relief, giving up just 1 unearned run. He lowered his season ERA to 0.53.
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