With a Rebel Yell, She Cried More, More, More.

Game 5- June11, 2024

Hurtin' Units vs. The Rusty Rebels.

Hurtin' Units lose 14-12

Team Record – 2-3-0

Coventry Park (C#3) – After a short stint at Keogh Park the Hurtin' Units find ourselves back at Coventry for a battle with the only undefeated team in the league. The Rebels look very strong this season and since draft day they look like the team to beat. I remember standing at the tables, in the legion, thinking that they had one of the best teams following the draft. The Rebels are going to be a tough team this season and it will take some strong defence and timely hitting for teams to get in the win column.

The Hurtin' Units played the Rebels twice last season and we split the wins with one apiece. On May 23rd, 2023 the Hurtin' Units defeated the Rebels by a score 21-11 and the Rebels defeated the Units on August 18^th, 2023 by a score of 10-8. I was surprised to see that we beat the Rebels by such a high score, considering the Units had a 5-18-1 record in 2023. We were not a good team in 2023. Last season, the Units even lost a game by a score of 17-0 to the Master Batters on August 10^th, 2023. I can't remember a team ever being shut out in our league, I know it has happened, but I can't recall any games with a shut out.

The Hurtin' Units have 2 tough games this week, the Rusty Rebels on Tuesday night at Coventry and then the Tap Masters on Wednesday night at Keogh. These are the top two teams in the league.

The weather was actually good for this game, the temperature was around 19 degrees and there was a cool breeze, definitely a jacket night if you were sitting in the stands.

At game time, the Units had 9 of the regular team players, we were missing Steve, Cookie and Kevin. I called for a sub, and the sub-controller was scrambling trying to find us someone, I asked Mike O and then Cal S. they both were okay to sub if we needed them, but then I got a text saying we had Shaun C. Hughie wasn't happy about this, but when is he ever. Thanks go out to Mike and Cal, being available if we needed them. Lisa was the scorekeeper, not sure of the umpire's name, but he did a good job.

For the second game in a row, our new red bat has been missing, the first time it was in the Tap Masters bag and last night I don't know where it disappeared to, I think it's possessed or like the Littlest Hobo.

Jamie likes to say the Units do their best work when we have 2 outs, I think he may be on to something. In the top of the first inning, the Rebels sent 6 batters up and scored 2 runs. In the bottom of the inning, the Units sent 8 batters to the plate, the first 2 batters got out, and the next 6 batters would put 3 runs on the board.

I the second inning, the Rebels went down 1,2,3, and in the bottom of the inning the Units went through the order and scored another 5 runs.

In the third inning, the Rebels would send 5 guys to the plate and score another run. The Units would go down 1,2,3. In the fourth inning, the Rebels went down quickly, 4 batters up, 3 outs. In the bottom the Units would get the first 2 batters out (Jamie theory) and then score 2 more runs. The score after 4 complete inning was 10-3 for the Units.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Rebels offense would come to life. Billy (sub) would get on, Steve would hit a single and then Ian would hit a left field homerun that hit the top of the fence and went over for 3 runs. Whitten would then start another wave of baseman, Mark M. would hit a single and then Steve?? would crush another homerun over the right field fence for 3 more runs. Robin would start the next wave, followed by Brad, Hugh, and Ingo, one more run would score and that was a seven run inning. The game was tied.

In the bottom of the inning, Alex and Brandon would both score on an in the park home-run from Brandon. The Units would take the lead again.

In the top of the sixth, the Rebels would not go away, they sent 7 batters up and 4 runs would come around to score. In the bottom, the Units went down fast and furious, 4 batters, 3 outs.

In the top of the seventh, the Unit's defence was solid, the Rebels went down 1,2,3. In the bottom, the last kick at the can, for all the marbles, Jimmer got out on a fly to RCF, Shaun would hit a single, Alex would also hit a single, the tying run was on base and only one out, Brandon would foul out and Jamie would also get out. The REBELS win 14-12.

All in all, we had a decent night and our defence looked really good. We had the Rebels up against the ropes multiple times, but just couldn't land the knock out punch. Great game Units.

The Hurtin' Units next game is June 12th vs.The Tap Masters.