The Red Wings put their spring training preparation to the test Monday night against a very tough River Cats squad. The Cats, with their punishing lineup, gold glove defense, and shut-down pitching, pose a formidable challenge for any AA ball club and probably even a few AAA clubs.
Red Wings starting pitcher Jack was equal to the challenge, though. Taking the hill in the first inning, he quickly got down to business, and retired the side in order. The Red Wings were able to patch together a run in their half of the first. Eric worked a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position when Tom worked the count full, fouled two off, and then took ball four. Three batters later, Will smashed a single into left field that brought Eric in. Wings 1, Cats 0.
Jack retired the side in order again in the second, this time striking out two and inducing a third to pop up to the mound. Jack had a blazing fastball working for him and he was able to command it well all evening.
Josh and Micah both worked full-count walks to start the second inning. Next up was Drew, fresh off a two-hit performance two days earlier during the Wings final spring training game. Drew worked a 2-2 count and then fouled off the next pitch to stay alive. It was a hard-fought battle, but Drew just missed a fastball low in the zone for strike three. Alejandro then hit a hard shot up the middle that somehow ended up in the pitcher's glove. With two outs in the bottom of the second, Parker launched a fastball into left field to load the bases, but despite all the fireworks, the Wings were not quite able to capitalize, and the score would remain 1-0, Wings.
Jack returned to the hill for the third inning and once again retired the side in order, culminating three perfect innings for the Red Wings and putting them in good position to build on their lead in the bottom of the third. He had good defensive support from first baseman Sam who handled a screamer up the first base line and stepped on the bag for the unassisted out.
The third inning would prove decisive for the Red Wings. With two outs, Tom rocketed a line drive into right center that was good for a double. Jack drove Tom in with a single to left. Wings 2, Cats 0. Sam then singled to right. With Sam at first and Jack at third, Will hit an absolute bomb to deep left center that was good for a bases-clearing triple. 4-0, Wings. Up next was Noah, who had just put in three solid innings behind the plate catching Jack. Noah took two strikes and then launched the third into left field for a single, driving in Will and putting the Wings up by 5. Josh then hit a shot to left field and advanced to third with some heads-up baserunning on a single by Micah, who had been swinging a hot bat during all of April and who appears ready for more of the same in May. The Wings would produce 5 runs during the inning, all with two outs, to put them up 6-1.
With three stellar innings under his belt, Jack would hand the game over to Eric in the fourth. Eric picked up exactly where Jack left off, retiring three of the next four batters with consistently dominant stuff. Kenneth helped the cause with some nifty glovework at second base when a shot up the middle bounced off of Eric's glove. Kenneth charged it, scooped it, turned, and was able to make the throw on target to get the runner out at first.
We all knew it was only a matter of time, and sure enough the River Cats came roaring back in the fifth. The top of their order produced 3 runs before the Wings could record an out. Thankfully, Wings closer Will settled in and took control before the damage got any worse, and he was able to hold them to 3.
It was 6-3 Wings to start the bottom of the fifth inning, and tension was mounting in the Red Wings' dugout. An insurance run would certainly provide some peace of mind, and that insurance run came in the person of Alex, who had just put on a clinic at shortstop the previous inning with a laser throw from deep in the hole to beat the runner at first by half a step. Kenneth led off the inning and was hit by a fastball up and in. He was able to make the trip to first base but was unsure if he could run. The manager called into the dugout for Alex, who had demonstrated very good speed throughout spring training. Alex would eventually come around to score with two outs and provide the Wings with a 4-run cushion to carry into the final inning.
Will took the mound in the top of the sixth. Cool and efficient, he struck out three of five batters he faced and sealed the Red Wings' first victory of the season.
Tonight's game ball went to Jack, who pitched three perfect innings for us, contributed an RBI single, and scored a run.
It was an impressive team effort on all fronts, with consistently effective pitching, very productive work at the plate, and solid defense from from the first pitch to the final out. The coaches have been very pleased with the team's hard work throughout spring training, and we are glad to see it start to pay off with good quality baseball during this first week of the regular season.
We look forward to our next challenge, the Bulls, who we will face on Wednesday evening at Newman.
