Ashland vs Grafton Varsity Softball 5 21 26

001Tina's, Casey Sullivan, Leah Cablerone, Lexi Derry, and Olivia Blanchard will be their designated center fielder. So, I can't help myself right now. I've got to do a dad joke as Krziza steps into the office for her first batter of the game. Already down 2-0. And we saw a lot of falling behind yesterday for Musseris. And I And what do you think is Is that the number one thing for her to get ahead in counts? It has to be today. She's got to get ahead in counts. Um that was That was a killer for her yesterday. Um and you know, it builds your confidence, too, right? When you get ahead in the count. We don't want to see her walking batters, especially early. All right, let's let's see what kind of leash today coach has on

002Nico. Maybe he's going to go to Holly a little bit earlier if the walks become a challenge. As it is a 3-0 count to start, and that's strike one. And it might look like the same home plate umpire as yesterday. He has that same kind of strike call. So, we did have a bit of a tight zone yesterday. So, we'll see if that's the same today. As the 3-1 is low for ball four. So, Krziza will walk to lead off the ball game. To say that was a tight zone yesterday is an understatement. Nico did lose a lot of close pitches. Let's see if the Gators think about trying to test Kyra's arm early here as they get their lead off runner on to start the first. As the left fielder Shayla Tosches will bat

003and lay down a bunt, and it is foul out in front of the plate. So, 0-1 as Musseris gets ahead. And she was taken off the air. So, that was clearly a hit-and-run bunt attempt to try to get the runner over to second base. Let's see if she goes again. Here comes the 0-1. Runner will go. Oh, now she's in a rundown. The throw to second from Kyra is in time. A close play at second base, but a good tag there from Herder and there's one away. Another caught stealing for Caroline Kyra there behind the plate. She actually held the ball a little longer than I think you initially would want her to, but I think she was able to hold that runner up thinking maybe she was going to go back to first. Kyra

004ends up having the arm strength to zip it to second. Herder nice tag and we have one out now. The 0-2 pitch is low here to Tosches and it's a ball and two strikes. It's a pretty close play at second base there. Yeah, I I I do think it was close. We may have been the fortunate recipient of a good call, but we will certainly take it and we'd like to get those runners off. As the 1-2 pitch is bounced in there. And as coach Theresein said yesterday, he pointed out the pitch release point for Usaris seems to just not be getting the ball up in the air enough when delivering. You might be might be letting it go a little bit low, a little bit early as she does roll another one in the

005air and looks like the count's not going to be 3 and 2. The bases are empty. Here comes the 3-2 from Usaris. Swing and a miss. >> [screaming] >> And that is out number two. First strikeout of the day for Usaris. That was a good pitch there. It was a great pitch. She kept that thing low, got her to go chasing a little bit and Clock is able to take that thing around the horn for out number two here early in the first inning. Be great to see if they can go 1-2-3 and get these bats going right away. So with two away, it's Grace Isherwood, the shortstop, who will bat here and she'll foul that That straight back and it's nothing and one. So Ustaris ahead of another hitter here. No balls and one

006strike. Which is where she needs to live, Jacob. Where she needs to live today, all day long. Getting ahead is going to be the key. That baby, that one just missed. >> It just just missed. A little bit low there, so ball and a strike here on Isherwood. They're moving in the in outfield. And that is called strike two. In a completely different outfield from yesterday. We had three seniors in the outfield yesterday and today it's Conners, Maloney, and Sanders left to right. It is indeed Conners, Maloney, and Sanders. Uh we've got a a young a young outfield. Maloney is a junior. Uh Maddie Sanders, uh I believe is a freshman and Sophie Conners is a sophomore if I am correct. I sometimes mess up their classes, [music] but I think I have that one

007accurate. I believe yes, Conners is a sophomore and a freshman as that one is popped up [screaming] in the left field and the catch is made out there by Conners. And Ustaris will have a clean first inning with a strikeout as the Clockers will come to the plate in the first. Yeah, a nice catch there by Sophie. She had a good jump on it, read it nice and early, and made the grab and we get out out of the inning with no harm from that lead-off walk uh with Carrick throwing her out at second base and now we're able to go and see if we can get the bats rolling and you know who's leading off today? Nico Ustaris, who is now batting .597 on the season. Came in yesterday batting .593, had a couple

008hits. And she continues to just get on base and run all over the place. Yeah, Nico manufactured that first run of the game uh getting on base on an infield hit, which was a sharply hit ball and I I would think that 95% of the runners or the batter runners in the Tri-Valley League would have been thrown out on that play. Nico's able to beat it out and then turn two three past balls into the first run of the game for the Clockers as she stole uh all the way around the bases. So, hopefully she can lead it off today with a base hit and get things rolling for the Clockers early. And she'll be followed by Haley Butermann, the second baseman, and then Ava Van Zandt who was behind the plate yesterday. She is

009the designated hitter today. Caroline Kyra in the cleanup spot. Behind the plate, Lorelei Collatz playing third and batting fifth. Ruby Casadian at first base today. Batting sixth, Quinn Herder is at at shortstop. We saw her in center field yesterday. Now, into the infield, batting seventh, Maddie Sanders, the freshman batting eighth, playing right field, and Lexi Maloney is in center field batting ninth. And that is the starting lineup for the Clockers. I'm really interested to see what these what this particular lineup does today. This this may be the fastest lineup the Clockers have put out all season long. As I said, in the middle of the order, it gets a little bit slower, but with one, two, seven, eight, and nine, they have some serious serious runners out there. So, they do tend to play an

010aggressive style on the base paths. Really interested to see what coach Sasso tries to do as we watch Grafton's catcher throw it down to second. Uh does not look like she zipped it down, either. So, we'll see if we can take advantage of that today. And Ava Welch, another left-handed pitcher. The Clockers saw a lefty yesterday. They'll see another one today. They did hit a lefty pretty well yesterday. So, let's hope they have a similar result today against Ava Welch who takes the circle for Grafton. That's a first pitch ball to begin the home half of the first to Usartus who has 37 hits on the season. We'll see if she can get to 40 today before the regular season comes to a close. >> That sure would be an incredible feat for Nico. Having

011a 40-hit season is something that most kids don't even think about being a possibility. I I actually think it's well in reach, especially since they will have one more game. They're automatically in the the tournament, so there's at least one game after this one, but it would be great to see her reach that 40 mark today. As she's quickly ahead in the count, three balls and no strikes. She has walked 14 times this year. It's only three strike outs. I mean, really, when you think about that 37-hit mark, if that really is remarkable considering the goal for most kids is to get 25 hits, right? 25 hits in per year. Once you're over that, that is about as good a season you can possibly have. Nico at 37 now is is just just sensational. She

012works a four-pitch walk. So, speed already on the base paths for the Clockers as Butermann will bat. .392 on the season for her. And Nico will go on the first pitch. The pitch is high and the throw is not close as it rolls down to second base. That is the 18th stolen base for Nico Usartus. Yeah, 18 for 19 Nico is on the year, and I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Sasso tries to take take third here. Uh really early with Nico. I'm not sure if they are going to take care on the base paths today. It is a one-ball, no-strike count to Butermann. That one's upstairs and Usartus will jog down to third, and on two pitches she's already at third, and she's going to come home here as the pitcher the throw from

013the catcher was over the head of Welch. And there you go, Nico Usartus manufactures another run. Yeah, Nico is smart on the base paths, takes advantage of an unfortunate throw by the catcher back to the pitcher. Uh caught Grafton sleeping a little bit and you just you just cannot do that with Nico Yustaress on the bases. As Butera man rips it into right field for a base hit. So, unfortunately, no RBI there as Yustaress came home, but it is a base hit for Butera man back-to-back base runners for the Clockers. Nice piece of opposite field hitting there by Haley, uh taking that thing the other way and now she sets herself up probably for a stolen base in her own of her own with my my friend the RBI machine Ava Vendetti up to plate.

014420 batting average, 32 runs driven in. Butera man will take off. The pitch is a strike and she is in there. With about a half of a slide she It wasn't a close throw again, so that is her third stolen base. She's three for three on the season. I'm surprised to see that Haley only has three stolen bases this year. Um but she's certainly a fast runner as Ava Vendetti >> to short stop. A nice play there by Isherwood and the throw's in time. Butera man will take off for third and she is in there. Another good base running decision from the Clockers. Yeah, really smart base running, aggressive base running by Haley. As soon as that ball left the short stop's hands, she was on route to third and she slides in easily getting

015herself to third base with only one out for a Caroline Kyra to come to the plate here. And 20 RBIs on the season for Kyra. She has another chance here with a runner at third and she'll ground that one to short. Isherwood's only play is at first and it is in time, but Butera man will score. It's an RBI groundout and it's two nothing Clockers. Yeah, Caroline unfortunately grounds out to the short stop there with a little bit a little bit in front of that ball, but does get the runner in from third base. But now we have two outs for the red hot Lorelei Collett. We'll see if she can build off a four-for-four afternoon yesterday. As she'll swing at the first pitch and ground it into center field. Smoked it on the ground,

016and that is a first-pitch base hit. She, again, like you said, seeing beach balls at the plate. Yeah, Lorelei is seeing the ball right now better than anybody else on the team. It's not even close. She is now seven for her last uh nine, I believe. I I just feel like she's playing with such confidence at the plate right now. As Kazadian looks at ball one, that gets by Martinez, and down to second base goes Collett. So, another runner in a scoring position here for the Clockers, and we've seen quite a few passed balls to start. Just seeing a couple of our All-State runners get by us. Nice to see Bella Bella Domestico's brother uh Luca and Sophia Warneski taking a little run around the school, doing a little TBL track practice. Those two are

017two of the top runners in the state, so hoping and wishing them well as they enter the postseason for track. Yeah, [crying] I wouldn't want to race against them, I'd have to say. And that one is upstairs, so it is a three-ball, no-strike count here to Kazadian. I'm interested to see if they give Ruby the green light. Ruby has a lot of power here. Might might want to take a risk here and just just see if she can take a load on one that comes right across the plate for. It's a swing and a miss, so she did have the green light. And it is a three-ball, one-strike count. I don't mind that right there, giving Ruby the green light on that 3-0 with runner in scoring position and two outs. Uh we do need

018to get this runner across, so if giving Ruby the opportunity makes sense. As she'll swing and foul that one back, so the count has gone full as Ava Welch brings it from 3-0 to 3-2. I've said this before about Ruby, when she shortens up that swing, she That's the best she hits, and and she tends to do that with two strikes. So, I'm smelling a hit right now for her. Colette at second and that is a swing and a miss. Dropped by Oh, actually a foul ball. Home plate umpire said she fouled it. Martinez could not hold on. So, Casadian will get a second chance here. >> Yeah, new life for Ruby back there. So, let's see what she can do. So, another 3-2 pitch from Welch and that is a swing and a miss

019as Welch comes back from 3-0 to strike out Casadian but the Clockers scored two in the first and they lead it 2-0. Yeah, and once again, manufacturing runs with great base running. You know, Nikki Eustace is able to take advantage of some bad defensive play by the Gators and then Haley Buterman with a really heads-up base running move to to get to third base on the ground ball to shortstop by Vendetti and then she's able to score on Kyrie's ground out. So, although there was only uh limited hits in that inning, just just Buterman's just Buterman's single, uh they they the Clockers are able to plate two. And they will now go back on defense and have the 4-5-6 part of the lineup for the Gators, Piper Bresnahan, Ava Welch, and Crystal Martinez due up.

020It was a It was a clean first inning for Eustace. We saw a clean first inning yesterday. So, you know, hopefully she can you know, ride the momentum of a clean inning. Yeah, other than that walk, she did look pretty good. She did walk the lead-off batter, which was again her Achilles' heel yesterday. Um but she settled herself down pretty nicely after that after that first batter walked. So, hopefully she's able to come back in the second inning and throw a whole bunch of strikes, let her defense do the work, and let's get out of here clean. As Bresnahan will lead off, she is the third baseman here this afternoon. Not a whole lot of information out there available for the for the Gators. We tried, we did do our homework, we we we did

021some research, couldn't find much of anything on Grafton today besides names. So, normally we try to give you a little bit of background on these hitters, but just not happening today. Unfortunately. >> [cheering] >> Which means we'll get to see everyone for the first time, no prior knowledge of how they play. As that one's popped [screaming] up to first, Kazadian is right there for it, and a one-pitch out for Ursaris. Ruby was camped underneath that, she never even had to move. She was in perfect placement, that ball came right to her. Nice little catch to start the inning for Kazadian. One pitch, one out, and that's exactly what Nico needs. >> [cheering] >> So, with one away, the pitcher Ava Welch, we saw her throw lefty, she bats righty. The pitcher yesterday both threw and

022batted lefty. As that one's low. I have to give a shout out to one of my all-time favorite high school baseball players. My brother was a lefty pitcher who batted righty. Can't say he batted very well, but he did bat righty and throw lefty. I think it's a common [music] place thing for these high school kids. As that one's fouled back, and the count is one and one. I saw something online that the MLB hasn't seen a player, like a position player, throw left or maybe it might have been a pitcher throw lefty and and bat from the right side in quite some time, which I thought was an interesting little fun fact. Well, and and you're not going to find that probably ever again now that we have a DH in in both the

023National League and the American League. But, yeah, that that is a that is a fun fact to see uh that the lefty pitchers would still [music] bat righty. Two balls and one strike here. That one is upstairs as Welch did show bunt for a moment there. Yeah, I'm I'm wondering if she's trying to just sneak on base here. That was a late late show. We'll see if she shows again trying to see if she can catch the the clocker sleeping a little bit. Comes a 3-1 and that one is to the backstop. So, that is the second walk for Ursaris, the one out base runner here for the Gators. Again, we'll see if the Gators try to take advantage of that base runner. It will be interesting to see if they change their tune a

024little bit. They did try to steal early with their lead-off hitter, but she was thrown out at second base. So, we'll see if they try to challenge Kyra behind the plate again. As Crystal Martinez digs in. She shows bunt and pulls it back. That is ball one. She had a little bit of a rough defensive inning in the first inning. So, we'll see if she can use her bat to help the Gators here. Always always tough to be able to come back and and try and get a hit after a tough defensive inning. And she >> She smoked that one foul down the third base line. So, I think she has erased the defensive inning from her memory pretty quick. That thing was smoked. If that was just a couple inches to the right, that

025was potentially a double. Instead, it's a one ball, one strike count here from Ursaris. That's a tomahawk swing into left field. That's a fair ball. That was a pitch up near her head and she serves it into left field for a one out base hit. Yeah, certainly an unorthodox swing on a pitch that was well high, but she was able to take that thing into left field. Uh really no chance for anybody to make a play on that. Conners is able to come and keep the runner to second base though by getting it in nice and quickly, but we've got runners on first and second here. Little bit of trouble. The seventh hitter, Casey Sullivan. It looks Look at her bat over there. It kind of looks like a uh A Bomb Pop, yeah. Yeah,

026got a Bomb Pop bat. Haven't seen that yet this season. The Bomb Pop bat, most Let's hope that she doesn't hit it. Yes. No bombs off the bat there. That's right. >> As that's a swing and a miss. A good pitch from Usariz, and it's a ball and a strike here. The other key here is is you want to try and see if you can keep this force play alive. Be great if they can get the lead runner. Uh also wouldn't be surprised if she does show bunt again. She does. That one's in the dirt, and both runners will take an extra base. Yeah, Kyra was able to keep it in front of her, thankfully, but not able to handle that wild pitch cleanly. So, the both runners do advance on the wild pitch. And

027again, that was something that was a potential problem yesterday. Uh really making the catchers work. Got to Got to make sure that they can get down and keep the ball in front of them, at least. >> Sullivan will attempt a bunt and foul it back. So, it's two balls and two strikes. And now that tying run is at second base in scoring position. So, Usariz, like uh several innings yesterday, will have to play with runners on. Yeah, and she was getting herself out of some jams early yesterday. Let's see if she can do the same thing today. >> And that one's popped up to shortstop, and Herder is there for it. And that's out number two. >> Yeah, just what the doctor ordered ordered right there. A nice little easy pop up. And now you've

028got the force play to first base. Hopefully, you can get out of the inning uh because obviously losing the force all around uh on that wild pitch hurts, but the pop up is what you want in that situation. Let's see if she can get this last out. As Leah Calderon will bat eighth here and swing and miss at the first pitch. And it's nothing and one. I'd be interested to see if Kyra might try to get a little back pick on the over there at third base. Uh she would definitely give her a peek. That runner is taking a decent secondary lead over at third. The 01 is a called strike and it's nothing in two here. Situationally right now, I wouldn't mind her trying so you can so you can face this batter again

029to start the third inning. But let's see what happens. Comes the 02. That one's bounced in there. The runner takes off for the plate and she will score and the big lead does pay off as she scores on a pass ball and it's two to one. Yeah, actually I'm I'm although I'm a catcher's dad, I'm going to say that was a wild pitch. That thing was in the dirt, really tough to get there. So, I think when it's in the dirt, it's not a pass ball, but we we will still got to keep those in front of us if at all possible. Yeah, tying right now at third, but a swing and a miss by Sullivan and that will do it for the top of the second, but the wild pitch allows Grafton to score

030and it's two to one. Yeah, it's unfortunate that Carolyn was not able to get in front of that one. It did sneak by her. Uh and those those are those are tough plays. Uh but when you have a pitcher that has not pitched a whole lot all season long, that stuff is going to happen. Hopefully they can uh not let it become a habit during the rest of this game and the Clockers still do have a two to one lead going into the bottom of the second inning and they got to get the bats going now. And they'll have seven, eight, and nine starting off with Quinn Herder who had a great senior night yesterday and is now above 300 on the season. Yeah, it was great to see Quinn really did step up yesterday

031on senior night. Gave herself a a memory to to hold on to forever knowing that she really put probably her best game of the year together on her senior day. Uh she hit an absolute rocket double that bounced off the base of the fence. And uh Quinn it was seeing the ball better than she's seen it all year. Got herself up over 300 now. Be great to see if she can continue that hot hitting today. She'll be followed by Maddie Sanders and Lexi Maloney, who we did not see at the plate yesterday. So, we'll get our first look at them here. Yeah, so Maddie didn't play yesterday. Lexi only played the field yesterday. Lexi has not got a whole lot of at bats this season. I believe she only has three at bats and she's

032one for three on the year. But again, Lexi's another kid. If she gets on base, she is a threat to steal. She is so fast. Um probably among the three, Nico, Lexi, and Haley are arguably three of the fastest kids in the entire league, I would imagine. Yeah, and she has also walked um a couple times and scored four runs. So, as you can see, in just those three at bats, a couple five plate appearances, four runs scored. So, obviously, the speed is a factor. >> uh I'll keep this area here without >> Sounds perfect. That's uh the speed is a factor. And again, Maddie Sanders, not a ton of at bats this year as as well, only 19 plate appearances, 16 at bats. Uh so, Maddie looking to see if she can get a

033little experience here before they get into the post season [music] play. As Quinn Herder will lead it off at shortstop here this afternoon. It's Ava Welch back on the mound here for Grafton. Here's the first pitch. And that one's popped straight [screaming] up. Who has it? And Welch will make the catch for out number one. Yeah, aggressive aggressive at the plate there was Quinn. I think that she was thinking about yesterday maybe a little bit. She may have over swung just a tad on that. Got underneath it, popped it up. Uh unfortunately, one pitch, one out here in the bottom of the second. Here comes the freshman, Maddie Sanders. She'll take one outside for ball one. [crying] And like you said, only 16 at bats on the season. Does have four RBIs in those 16

034at bats. >> [cheering] >> Here comes the 1-0. That one is through the legs of the catcher [music] and it's two balls and no strikes. If if if the 7-8-9 here can manufacture some base running like we said, this could be a huge problem here for Grafton. And Manny has to understand that working a walk is just as good as a hit in this situation. We just want her on base. As she's ahead 2-0 here, she shows bunt and pulls it back and takes a strike and it's two balls and one strike. Certainly a tactic that the the Clockers have used all year long. They do show bunt a lot when they are well ahead in the count. Uh Sanders does there and pulls back. Here comes the 2-1. That one's upstairs, so a three

035ball one strike count here and we'll see if she is told to just take a pitch here. Yeah, obviously this is the the ultimate hitter's count, 3-1. If she loves it, she's got to take a rip at it. Otherwise, take that walk. And she will look at strike two. So the count is full here to Sanders with Lexi Maloney on deck. Yeah, would have liked to see Manny take a hack at that one, but she may have gotten the take sign. You really don't know. Here comes the 3-2 and that one is ball four. As the ball gets to the backstop there, but she'll stay at first as Maloney comes to the dish. >> Yeah, that's perfect. So so Manny's able to to work the walk, brings up Lexi who can lay a great bunt

036down and potentially be It'll be interesting to see if she shows here with one out in the second. And she will attempt to lay down a bunt, but she'll foul it back. A bit of a high pitch there and it's nothing in one. >> Yeah, I would have loved to have seen Lexi pull back on that one. She She attempted that bunt on a on a high pitch that was way out of the zone. A little bit over aggressive there by Maloney. >> [crying] >> As she's behind in the count, nothing in one. Here comes. Swing and a miss. I think Manny probably could have taken second on that. I'm not sure if the catcher has a strong enough arm to be able to get her with her speed, but nonetheless it is now two

037strikes with the runner on first. Here comes the O2. That one is bounced. Sanders will try to take second and she'll be in there. Another throw that did not reach the bag. So, a runner in a scoring position with one out here for the Clockers. Yeah, they they they need to take advantage of their speed on the base paths. We've been talking about it all game long. I feel like a broken record a bit, but this is the perfect scenario. Catcher who doesn't have an incredibly strong arm and they got speed. As Maroney shoots that one foul and it's remains one and two. Yeah, certainly the best swing of the at bat for Lexi there. Just fouled it off, but if she can get the barrel on that one, that's that's probably a double, especially

038with her wheels. As Welch looks in, here comes the one two pitch. That one is outside. So, two balls and two strikes here on Maroney working a good at bat. Yeah, good to see Lexi take that one. Lexi has a tendency to to get over aggressive at the plate, especially with two strikes on her. So, I think she she had good patience there to take that pitch and and get the count to two and two. Here comes the two two. That one is again a shot foul. Just a tick behind. Yeah, she's fighting hard. Lexi's fighting hard. Now, this is I believe the fifth pitch that was the fifth pitch of the at bat. So, Lexi's working this working this bat pretty well. Here comes the two two again and that is a swing and

039a miss. Good at bat for Maroney, but she does strike out for out number two as the Clockers flip the lineup card back to Usaris. Again, RBI situation here for Nico with Manny on second base. Base hit should bring in a run. Love to see Nico get something happening. As she will shoot that one into left field for a base hit. The wave is on at third. Here comes Sanders to the plate. She will score. Usaris will get in the second base easily. And there you go. She's on base for the second time and it's three to one. >> Yeah, nice RBI single there by Nico and then she's able to second to take second on the throw home. They decided not to cut it off which allowed Nico to then get second base without

040any effort at all. So, this brings up Haley Buterman with the runner in scoring position. Buterman's one for one as she smokes that back to the mound and Well, Wells just stuck her glove out and makes the catch. >> Yeah, Haley got a good piece of that. That came back quick, but the pitcher was able to get the glove out. More of a reaction than anything else, but she was able to make a really good play, fields her position well, and gets out of the inning with very little harm done, only allowing one run in the bottom of the second. But, the bottom of the lineup and then the top come through for the Clockers for another run. We're heading to the third inning here as we will see Usaris back on the mound. Yeah,

041Nico's pitched pretty well so far. She's uh certainly looks like she's getting a little bit more accuracy than yesterday in terms of what she's been doing. She has She has at this point uh thrown 34 pitches, but different than yesterday, 50% of the pitches at this point have been strikes, which is really where she really struggled yesterday. Um still two walks, but we're we're minimizing the damage on the free passes so far. And it seems like coach Sasso makes his bench players uh run out to touch the foul pole and then run back in the middle of an inning, maybe to keep them warm. Yeah, it's something they've been doing all year long. I I've seen a few different uh teams do that. I think it's more of a softball thing than a baseball thing,

042uh but I have seen that happen throughout the year. Um Not necessarily know how the girls feel about it. They're able to just take a little jog out there and they're usually smiling when they're doing it. So, I think it's a it's also probably a team building activity as well. Carri shoots it down a second to get this thing started and we're going to get to the top of the third with a three to one lead for the Clockers. And Usaris will face nine, one, and two at least here for the Gators. It starts off with Lexi Derry, the first baseman, then back up to Kryschinski, and Tosques. So, a lefty at the plate here in Lexi Derry. Yeah, first left first lefty of the game, I believe. Yeah, had one yesterday. That was the

043pitcher, Alexis Cahill. And that one is ball one, close pitch. >> Yeah, I'm not [snorts] quite sure where that one missed. I I just can't seem to figure out this guy's strike zone. Um sometime he'll call strike is called, sometimes it's a ball. I really cannot figure out where the ball is supposed to go with this guy behind the plate. It's a it's like a coin flip. It really is. So, that was a good pitch there, swinging a miss by Derry. So, a ball and a strike here for Usaris. She delivers another one and a swinging a miss. So, a ball and two strikes now. And if you got that first pitch strike, it could have been a strikeout there. >> Yeah, it really should be a strikeout right now. But again, like I said,

044it has been hot we we don't have a great angle, but that first pitch [music] looked like it was about as good as pitch as she's thrown all game. Um it That's the problem, right? When you when you squeeze a kid who hasn't had a ton of pitches, it takes away their their rhythm and their confidence. So, hopefully you can come back now and get strike three. That's at the two-two count here. That one is upstairs. And that is a full count. And she has walked the first batter of both the first two innings she's ahead. So, we're looking to avoid a third straight inning with a lead-off walk. >> Yeah, that should be really unfortunate if she if she gets a walk here. 3-2, swinging a miss. Brought the heater upstairs and daughter to

045swing through it. A few swings and misses in that at-bat and there's one away. >> Yeah, that felt like a ball don't lie moment right there. She was able to come back and and get the strikeout that she deserved. Nico fights back in a in a tough spot and gets that swinging strikeout around the horn and we're ready for the next batter. That's her third strikeout today. She had only three strikeout yesterday in her five innings of work. As that one is grounded third base. Nice play there from Collette and the throw is accurate to Gazadian at first and there's two outs. >> Yeah, Lorelei flashing a little leather over there at third base. Gets the ball out of her glove really quickly. Fires over to Gazadian and we get the second out of the

046inning. So, Krzinski is retired at the top of the lineup and it's back to Shayla Tosches. Who is 0 for 1. She struck out her first time up. Comes the first pitch. That was a early swing. Flail at it and it's nothing in one. Again, getting ahead is the key, right? Getting ahead of these batters is going to be critical for Nico's success. She's ahead 0 and 1 here. And that one just missed upstairs. One ball, one strike. Yeah, a little high little high there by Nico. Um one and one count here. To Who's this? The number two batter? Number two batter, Shayla Tosches. Here comes the 1-1. That's strike. Little bit of a late call there. Again, uh I think he just had to wait to see if it landed heads or tails and

047that's why it took him so long. I hope I don't get in trouble for being critical of the umpire. >> [screaming] >> As the 1-2 pitch is upstairs and away. So, two balls and two strikes here. as Eustace looks for her first 1-2-3 inning in the last two days. Sure would be nice to see if we can get one right now. Here comes. That one is a little blooper. It is going to drop, a fair ball into right field in front of in front of Sanders out there in right field. Didn't get all of it, but she just found a spot on the grass. >> Yeah, a nice a nice little placement there. Just landed fair right in front of us here by about probably 6 in right over the line. So, it does bounce

048in for a single. Second hit for Graf and that one shot. Collette bobbled it, but picked it up and the throw is in time. A beautiful play there by Collette to keep her eye on the ball as it popped out. >> That's a really nice play by Lorelei. That ball came out hot. She gets it on the hop, bounces in her glove. She's able to keep control, make a nice throw over to Casadian for the third out of the inning. That's the second assist of the inning there for Lorelei, who's matching her hot hitting with a pretty good glove so far today. She's doing it all. They call it a five-tool player. We'll we'll we'll we'll we'll we'll give her at least a couple tools right now. She she certainly has been playing well. The

049way that she's hitting the ball and and if if you can have somebody making good plays on hot shots over there at third base, then you could be in good shape. And it's a really a tough position to play specifically in softball because that ball comes at you really hot sometimes. I think it's probably one of the more dangerous positions to play in all of sports. Definitely is. It's the hot corner for a reason. Clockers will have 3-4-5, the heart of the lineup due up. Ava Vendetti, Caroline Kyra, and then we'll see Lorelei Collette with the bat. As Vendetti so far today is over one. We saw Kyra have an RBI ground out her first time up. And Carlette had that single on the first pitch she saw. Yeah, I mean really nice if we

050can get these two going. They they have been two of the better hitters throughout the season. Um Both have have have slowed down a little bit these last five games. So, if we can get them rolling again uh in into the into the tournament. Love to see them start catching fire. Maybe they'll get a little bit of that juice from Lorelei and um get this thing rolling because they both are hitting well over 400 at this point. Uh but we we want to want to get them back hot. So, a 3-1 lead as we begin the home half of the third here. Ava Welch back on the mound for the Gators. First pitch is a ground ball to third. A nice play there by Bresnahan and the throw is low [screaming] and it was not

051scooped. Vendetti will take second base as the throw got by. [screaming] It was a bit of a low throw and a tough play there at first base for Derry. Yeah, Vendetti reaches on the error by the third baseman from Grafton and she gets over to second base. Uh but again, we talked about this yesterday. The fact that the the Clockers do consistently make contact is why they do get on base so much. And you take advantage of of an error and reaching on an error but it's not great for your average. It's certainly something that you want to do because you you you got your base runner here and she's going to try and take third. The throw there from Martinez gets into left field and Vendetti gets up and she will score. So, she

052manufactures herself a run as well and it is 4-1 Clockers. Yeah, again again the Clockers are taking advantage of some poor defense by the Gators. Uh Vendetti reaches on an error, is able to take second, takes third on a pass ball, and then is able to take home on an error by by catcher on the throw. So, again, just um manufacturing runs is how they've done this so far today. And the Clockers didn't even need a hit to get that run. They only needed one batter. So, two balls and no strikes here to Kyra. With that RBI groundout her first time up, and now she's ahead three balls and no strikes here. And we'll see if she has the red light or the green light here. Yeah, I would hope that she's got the red

053light here. I'm sure she probably wants the green light, but I think that taking a walk here is probably what you should do. Kyra's showing bunt. She'll pull it back and will take ball four as that one bounces in there. So, back-to-back base runners, the error and then the walk, and that'll set up Lorelei Collett here with a runner on. Yeah, and they're going to be putting in a runner for Kyra. That's what they have done all season long when she is behind the plate. You get the courtesy runner for the catcher. Not sure exactly who that's going to be. It looks like Jordan It might be Jordan Meckler, junior Jordan Meckler making her Is that Jordan Meckler or is that Ali Wilson? Number 13. >> I have as Emma Van Buskirk. I don't think

054that's Emma Van Buskirk. So, it looks looks like we don't have a number Ali Wilson. >> Ali Wilson. So, Ali Wilson is getting in to run for Caroline Kyra. Sophomore Ali Wilson >> [crying] >> Here's the first pitch to Collett. She smokes it into the gap in left center field. It goes all the way to the fence. Wilson's getting the wave at third. Collett is in the second. Here comes the throw to the plate. Wilson will score standing up. It's an RBI double for Lorelei Collett. She's two for two on two pitches. Yeah, Lorelei Collett, we get we get we just can't stop talking about it right now. She laces another one dead center, absolute rocket to the fence. She gets a pitch to look at and she takes advantage. RBI double. Yeah! As Kazadian

055takes the ball, that one was dropped there by Martinez and down to third base goes Collette as that one gets into the outfield. She'll get up and try to score and there will be no play at the plate. 6 to 1 Clockers as the errors and bad play behind the plate continue for the Gators and another run off of a pass ball and throwing error. Yeah, unfortunate situation for the Gators right now. Uh, that was the hardest hit ball of the day, which is an RBI. >> As Casadian will ground one in the left field for a base hit. So, she has her first hit of the afternoon. That throw gets by the second baseman, but she'll stay at first. Yeah, Ruby hits a nice shot on the ground. Ball was hit really hard to

056the left field, easy single for her. Uh, which brings up Quinn Herder. We saw her a little bit too aggressive the first time up, popped it up to the mound. We'll see if she has a better at bat here as Casadian will take off. Martinez's throw is not in time. Casadian will go in standing up with the stolen base. That is her second steal of the year. She's two for two. And still nobody out here for the Clockers as they already have two runners in and a runner in scoring position here. And that one gets by as well as Casadian will head to third. So, it seems like it's a guarantee when a Clocker gets on first base, they'll end up at third in the in the next at bat. Yeah, right now the Clockers

057are doing exactly what they need to do in this game. We talked about the power rankings. The Clockers right now are ranked number 29. They really need to win this game by five. >> As that one by Herder is popped up down the right field line and is foul. Seemed like it curved there at the last moment, but it luckily was not caught. She'll get another opportunity. Yeah, as I was saying Jacob, the the goal today is to win this game by five. You can only get points for five runs or more. Um, that's the maximum. Any more than that doesn't matter. So, if they win by five or they win by 15, it doesn't make a difference. But, right now the Clockers do have that five-run lead, and they need to do that against

058a team that doesn't have a really strong strength of schedule to hopefully not hurt their power ranking. They do lead by five now, looking to score another here. Tsutsui to Herder. Swing and a miss. She was out in front of the off-speed, and that is out number one. That nifty little pitch there. She got her fooled, and and and did get She did get Quinn reaching way ahead of that one on the off-speed pitch. And that's that's a tough thing to do. That's a good pitch there. It's Maddie Sanders will line one into right field for a base hit, just out of the reach of Sullivan. Kazadi and scores from third in a first-pitch RBI single from Maddie Sanders. >> Yeah, love to see that out of Maddie. She hasn't had a whole lot of

059bats this year. I believe that's what, hit number four or five for her on the season. Yeah, number three. Hit number three. Hit number three for Maddie in the season, knocks in an RBI, getting her confidence up if in case she's getting called up for the postseason play. As Maloney attempts to lay down a bunt and can't pull it back, so that's strike one. We've seen a couple times Maloney try to lay down a bunt on a pitch that was not really buntable. Yeah, like she's a little over aggressive there on that bunt. Love to see her swing the bat here to actually, you know, get herself on base via swing. She did show bunt for a quick second, but does pull it back, so one ball, one strike. Ico Ustariz waits on deck. She's

060been on base twice in two plate appearances. Here comes the 1-1. A late bunt attempt, and it'll go foul, so now she'll have to swing in a two-strike count. Yeah, she It's almost like she's trying for that swinging bunt, certainly not a sac bunt. Looks like Lexi is trying to place that late bunt down. Right now hasn't had luck with it. Uh maybe she should swing the stick [music] here and put one right up the middle. Comes the one-two. She did attempt to bunt again, pulls it back, and it's two balls and two strikes. Sanders on at first. Only one out here for the Clockers. Two-two, and that is a foul ball. That's going to >> And that is strike three. She When you bunt with two strikes, it needs to be a fair ball.

061Uh any foul ball on a bunt with two strikes is an out. That is a strikeout there for Welch. That's back-to-back Ks. Yeah, I I interesting interesting uh strategy that to have Lexi continue to bunt. Not sure if that was something that she was doing on her own or if that was from Coach Sasso. But with two strikes, you don't [crying] typically see a running batter still trying to get the bunt down. It ends up causing a strikeout cuz she was not able to put it [crying] in fair territory. So, Nico Starace will bat next. Had an RBI her last time up. That one's ball one. An RBI single. She walked her first time up. She's also scored a run. Yeah, Nico's looking looking for one right on the middle here. See if she can

062drive when they're playing her very shallow. That one is in the center field. That is struck well, and it's over the head of the two outfielders. That's going to leave Starace on for Sanders at third. Uh Starace is heading for third. She'll stop there, and the run scores. It is an RBI triple for Nico Starace, and it's 8-1 Clockers. Yeah, that that was a very good hit by Nico, and it was exactly what she needed cuz as I said, the outfield was not giving her the respect that she deserves. They were really shallow on that, and she puts it over their head, and that was an easy stand-up triple for her with her speed. That's a foul ball there off the bat of Buterman. And if she reaches, Ava Vendetti will come up for the

063second time this inning and the Clockers will bat around. They did that yesterday as well. Yeah, they had that one inning where they where they put up a bunch of runs and they're doing the same thing here in the third. As Butermann grounds it to second base. Nice play there from Sullivan and the throw is in time. So, the Clockers will leave a runner stranded at third, but they end up scoring five in the home half of the third and it's eight to one as we head to the fourth. Yeah, really productive inning there by the Clockers taking advantage of some poor defensive play, but you know, a huge triple by Nico is an RBI. Maddie Sanders gets an RBI single. Uh Laura-like Collette again keeps keeps hitting the ball hot. She So, her double

064was huge. Ruby Kazanjian with a single. So, they they hit the ball. They took advantage of some poor defense and next thing you know, it's an eight to one lead here and I think things might be fairly safe here up seven as long as Nico can continue pounding the strike zone. Yeah, and she has looked good. Three innings. She did give up a run, but it is not earned and she has three strikeouts. Only two walks and I believe we saw 10 yesterday, so definitely looking like an improvement here just the next day. Yeah, that's what we've talked about, right? She has to keep the ball in the zone. She has done that. She's thrown over 50% strikes right now, which she did not do yesterday. Um limiting the amount of opportunities for base runners

065for Grafton today and they they played good defense behind her, right? Laura-like Collette makes two really nice plays in the last inning to help out and that's what Nico just needs to let her defense do. As it looks like we'll have the four, five, six spot here for for Gators as they'll lead off with Piper Bresnahan, the third baseman. She's 0 for 1 so far this afternoon. It'll be Bresnahan, the pitcher Welch, and then the catcher Martinez. And we'll see if Isauris she didn't have She was close to the 1-2-3 inning last inning. We'll see if she can get that here. Yeah, it'd be great It'd be great to have a quick inning get these bats right back to it. First pitch is rolled in there for ball one to Bresnahan. The key The key

066last inning was that Nico was ahead of the count almost every single time. Um let's see if she can fight back here after being down early in this one. Here comes the 1-0. That's a fly ball deep out to left field [screaming] and a nice grab out there from Conners and there's one away. Yeah, looked like Sophie may have misread that from the jump, but then she's able to track back and end up making a nice play. Um Good play out there in left field by Sophie Conners. That's her second catch of the day. She looks She looks good out there right now playing left field for the Clockers. And for Isauris, that's a two-pitch out number one. So, that's big. Here comes Welch. That's a shot in the left field. Conners on her way

067back and she can't get that. It'll roll up near the fence and into second base goes Ava Welch, the pitcher, with a one-out double. Good swing. Yeah, there was no catching that one. That was roped well over Sophie's head. She does a nice job to limit it to only a double. Um she tracks it pretty well and is able to get it in. Quinn Herter zips it over to Lorelei to make sure that there was no advance to third. Um but we got her in scoring position now. For Crystal Martinez, catcher, who's 1 for 1. As down to third base goes Welch and she is in there. That ball gets away, but Welch will hold up there at third base. Yeah, Kyra not able to handle that ball that was in the dirt and then

068the the quick quick re- reaction by the base runner able to get to third. Luckily, the ball did not bounce out of play when couldn't quite handle the throw down. So, we do have a runner on third here with one out. A 1-0 count here. That one is upstairs. Two balls and no strikes here on the catcher Martinez. Again, here's where we get to limit those wild pitches. Going to make sure everything stays in front cuz you don't want to give up another soft run. 2-0, that one a good stop by Kyra behind the plate on a pitch that bounced, but it is a 3-0 count here. Yeah, again, the key is is keep that ball in front of you right now. Um anytime it bounces, just going to throw your body in front of

069it if you can. Nice little scoop on that one. So, here comes the 3-0 from Nico. It's a tomahawk swing. Back to the mound, Usarris will go to the plate. Kyra fields it and gets the out. Great decision-making by Usarris to realize the runner was breaking for the plate, and they get the out there and a little bit of some tough base running for the Gators. >> Yeah, really over aggressive base running by the Gators. Yeah, Nico makes a nice play. That ball came right back to her. I think she was shocked to see that runner was going. She does make a good throw to Kyra who gets the tag down, and we get an out at the plate. And we have two down now with a runner only on first. Casey Sullivan will bat.

070She's 0 for 1. Ground ball to third. Collette's been busy, and the throw is in time. Another great play from Lorelei Collette on defense, and the Clockers will retire the side. >> Yeah, really. That is the third assist of the day for Lorelei Collette. She makes another good play over there. And this is nifty fielding that happened in this inning by by the Clockers. They get had base runner early, but they're able to come back and get an out at the plate. A nice play by Lorelei Collett and no harm done. Bottom of the fourth, 8-1, and we've got some good hitters coming up to the plate. Yeah, Nico Ustares has gone four strong innings so far. We'll see if she goes maybe all the way today. We'll see if they want to use Cashin

071again to get ready to for the post season. Yeah, it'd be interesting to see what coach decides to do. I mean, you hate to take you hate to take a pitcher out who is throwing really well, but it would also be beneficial for them to get Holly some more innings. Um one thing that we probably should be aware of at this point is there is a 12-run mercy rule in the MIAA. So, if the Clockers are up by 12 after five innings, this game is going to come to a quick end. Right now, they're only up by seven, but if they have another big inning like they did last inning, we could have this game end faster than you think. So, I'm sure right now he's probably thinking about that with his coaches as he's

072actually talking with pitching coach Pam Curtis. I wonder if they're discussing whether or not to give Nico another inning. Yeah, that's definitely something to keep in mind. We'll let you know if it looks like obviously this inning is an inning you look at, you know, if they do end up scoring those five runs to get to a 12-run lead, we'll see if they uh Ustares to try to get the last three outs or if they go to Cashin. Yeah, the goal the goal here has to be to try and put five across if you can. I mean, it'd be nice to be able to get themselves out of here with with a a quick mercy game. Um if they can somehow manage to to scoot five runs across in this fifth in this bottom of

073the fourth and then get three quick ones uh to start the fifth. Um but, you know, also this this is a beauty in playing a full seven, right? Get more at bats, get people more experience. Um so, we'll see how coach Sasso plays this one out and and maybe Grafton will not even allow that to happen, right? You never know. Some good defense and some good pitching could could shut could shut the Clockers offense down here. Exactly, anything could happen. Clocker sent nine batters to the plate last inning. Ava Vendetti led off the third inning, she'll lead off the fourth, and she smokes it out to left field, way back there, and it's down off the base of the fence. She is in the second base standing up with a double. She just missed a

074four-bagger there. Yeah, really nice to see Ava get a hold of that one. She needed that one. That was a great hit. That was way over the left fielder's head. One hops to the fence for another easy stand-up double. I believe that might be Ava's 10th double of the season. Uh she's up there in the league leaders in doubles, clearly leads the Clockers. She's She's been hitting doubles all year along. Here comes Kyra. Walked last time. RBI groundout her first time. That one bounces in there, but a good stop behind the plate by Martinez. So, the Clockers quickly another runner into scoring position on the first pitch of the inning. They've been all over the first pitch. Really like to see Kyra get a hold of one here. That one's upstairs. Two balls, no strikes.

075>> 2-0 right now. She just walked. I know I I get I have a scouting report here. She's got a tendency to get a little aggressive after a walk. Wants to hit the hit the ball. Hopefully, she doesn't swing at a bad pitch to take herself out of this at-bat. Here comes the 2-0. That one's popped up down the right field line, twisting foul. Another one close down this right field line. Yeah, just foul. Kyra waits on it, takes it the opposite way, just foul on the on the first base side. That would have been an easy score for Vendetti, even maybe potentially [music] two if she was able to get that down fair. Nevertheless, we've got a 2-1 count. Here comes the pitch from Welch. Kyra again down the right field line. This one's

076well foul off the shed down here. I thought that thing was coming aimed at our camera over here on the first baseline. Glad that it did not hit it. It looked like it had a a an aim point for it. So, hopefully Caroline can straighten this thing out with two strikes. I don't think you want a bill in the mail for a camera. No, certainly don't. Again, we talked about it. Two strike count here for Caroline. Uh let's see if she can put her bat in the ball and keep her streak alive. Yeah, now a full count here. Here comes the 3-2. That one is into center field. Muscled down for a base hit. Vendetti gets the wave around third. She will come home to score the ninth Clockers run this afternoon. An RBI single

077from Caroline. That's her second run batted in this afternoon. Yeah, Caroline's able to get that one, like you said, muscled out to right center field. Nice piece of hitting with two strikes on her. And um she has proven to be a really tough out this year. Uh especially with two strikes. So, good RBI. Bringing up the hottest hitter in the Tri-Valley League right now. Lorelei >> Lorelei Collett. She's already got a single and a double. >> [screaming] >> And that one's a high fly deep center field. That one's BACK AND IT'S GONE. >> [cheering] >> The third home run in two days for Lorelei Collett. A two-run shot. That is her fourth home run of the season. And again, a triple [screaming] shy of a cycle here as it's 11-1. Lorelei Collett is just absolutely

078mashing the ball right now. The show that she's putting on is just been sensational. I can't say enough about this kid. She's so hot. I think they might want to check her shoes to see if her feet are on fire right now because she just can't stop hitting the ball. She's absolutely mashing it. And you know what's great, too, is is she didn't start the season off that hot, right? She struggled a little bit midway through the year where she had a streak where she had a bunch of games where she was hitless. And then out of nowhere, the the the switch has been flipped and she is probably one of the hardest outs in the state right now. Lorelei is just on fire. Yeah, I would not want to be a pitcher facing her

079in any game right now in this part of the season. It seems like she's playing on rookie mode right now. It just seems [laughter] like it it seems like like we said, a beach ball and she's just she's just playing like in the backyard. Yeah, three home runs in two days. I Again, she is a triple short of the cycle. I have a feeling that she might not get another at-bat today, which would be unfortunate for her. But a three-for-three day, a two-run home run a four-for-four yesterday with with two home runs, two-for-four the day before with two opposite field triples. I mean, just Lorelei is is just on fire. I really hope she continues this into the postseason because if they can have bats like that going, it could it could potentially, you know,

080help boost them to a couple of victories in postseason play. Yeah, and we'd love to see that. As again, like we said yesterday, this is the first time they've made the state tournament since 2011 and Lorelei Collett came into yesterday with just one home run on the season, impressive, but is currently with four here today. >> Yeah, she ties she ties with Starace for the team lead now with with four. Both are up probably in the in the um top five in the Tri-Valley League. I know Zoe Levine over in Hockinson has several home runs as well. I mean, I think maybe Liana De Nubio and Florio have a few too. So, they are absolutely in in the top five or six in home runs in the entire Tri-Valley League. So, something to be said

081for these this power the Clockers are bringing. This inning is not over. A new pitcher though for the Gators to face Ruby Kazadian who will ground that one foul down the third baseline. It is number 18, Shayla Tosches, who will take the mound to face with nobody out. So, she's basically coming into a fresh inning here against Kazadian, Herder, and Sanders. That one is high and deep to center, but it will be right to the center fielder, Blanchard. Good swing from Kazadian, but it is out number one. Yeah, gets the gets the out coming in. Shayla Tosches coming in from left field, gets the out on Ruby who does put a good barrel on it. Just can't quite get it over the center fielder. So, that's the first out of the inning. As that is

082a pop up in the shallow right field and the catch is made [screaming] by Calderone. And two pitches here for Tosches and two outs. Leah Calderone with a nifty little basket catch there. She brings it in and gets out number two on the pop fly from Herder. So, Maddie Sanders will bat next. She had an RBI single her last time up as she takes a ball. She's also scored a couple times. So, the bottom of the lineup with Maddie Sanders has been providing today as well. Yeah, and and Grafton really needs this out here because it is dangerously close to that 12 run lead we were talking about. They they are up down 10 right now. The Clockers have a 10 run lead, 11 to one. So, it very likely could be going to a

083complete fifth inning if the Clockers cannot get a couple more across. And now Taskis is ahead here one and two on Sanders. Here comes a foul ball there. Looking to get on base for the third time in three plate appearances. We've seen a few Clockers get on base all times, Desaurus and Collette as well. Yeah, man, he's had a good day so far walking a nice opposite field hit. Here comes the one two. It's a ground ball hard to short and it's under the glove of [screaming] Isherwood and in the left field. So, we'll see what they call that, most likely an error. Yeah, I'm I'm going to assume that that's going to go down as an error. It was hit pretty hot, but it did go through her legs. Generally, when the ball goes

084through the fielder's legs, that would be called an error and the official score does say uh that Sanders reaches on the error by the shortstop. But, she's on base for the third time today. She is indeed on base. Here comes Lexi Maloney. She has struck out both times. Last time it was on a bunt with two strikes. So, we'll see if they let her and maybe unwind and swing a little bit here. >> Yeah, I I up 11 to 1 uh with two outs here, I would suspect that she's going to be swinging the bat, especially since she [music] hasn't had luck getting the bunts down earlier. She is ahead in the count two balls and no strikes. Sanders on first base. Lexi is another one of those kids that she's she's reaching base if

085she gets the ball on the ground. She is going to beat out just about any ground ball to the infield that there is. There's not too many uh infielders in this league or in the you know on this team that can get the ball out of their glove fast enough to get her. This is a big pitch for Taskis, three and 0. And that's a strike. She does not want to have to go back to that top of the lineup where we could see a mercy here even with two outs. Yeah, Maloney took all the way there. Walks goes to hit here with two outs and Nico coming up. As she shoots that one into right for a base hit. So, she won't even need to beat that one up, but the throw comes back

086to second and [screaming] Sanders just barely gets in. Good awareness out in right by Calderon. Yeah, Maddie looked like she was heading over to third. I think Ashley, if she had continued to go, she may have made it. Made the decision to stop and almost got thrown out on a really nice play by the right fielder Calderon. But, we've got first and second here with Ustaris up, hoping to get two more across. And she'll foul that one away on the first pitch. That 13th run, which is the magic number for a 12-run lead, is on first base. Yeah, and again, it is only the fourth inning, so they do have to play at minimum the first half of the fifth um to see what happens if they are able to get Lexi Maloney to cross

087home plate. Ball on a strike here on Ustaris. Two for two, she's also walked. That's a ground ball that is foul down the third base line, and she's now in the hole one and two. Nico also a really tough strikeout. Nico's only struck out less than a handful of times this year. I think maybe either two or three times all season long. So, another kid who can really put the bat in the ball and put it in play uh especially with two strikes. She's a great hitter. That's a line drive over the head of the second baseman and into right field. A run will come to the plate. Sanders scores. Maloney down to third base. That's the fourth time reaching for Ustaris, and she brings home her second RBI, or sorry, third RBI. Yeah, that's

088her third RBI of the day. What's that's going to be three for three with Nico with a walk. Another fantastic day. Now, she's probably going to be over 600 for the season. And that one gets by and Merloni will come to the plate and she is safe. And down to third base goes Eustace. Great heads up base running from her. And that is the 13th run there for the Clockers. So, they are in mercy range now. Yeah, that's that magic that's that magic number 13 that they were looking for. Um, I I would be shocked if they don't try to plate a couple more. I have seen coach Sasso take a third out this year when things are getting a little out of hand. He's showing a lot of class. Um, but I don't think

089it's a spot to do that just yet. Try to get a couple more. I would be surprised if he does it, but we'll we'll see. I'd love to see Ava at least get another at bat here if Haley can get on. As it is a two ball no strike count here to Butera. That one is shot to shortstop and it gets through by Isherwood and a run scores as Eustace will plate her second run. She gets her second run of the day. It's an RBI single there for Butera men and it's now 14 to one Clockers. Yeah, and here comes Venditti looking for her second hit of the day. And the Clockers have batted around this inning. As that one gets to the backstop and Butera men will take second and round and hold up

090there. So, almost batted around last inning in the third. They will bat around officially here in the fourth. Yeah, again obviously that 12 run lead is huge. Be nice to get a little bit more of a cushion so you can end this game after after four and a half if that all possible. >> will roll that to the pitcher's mound and the throw hit her in the leg. Hopefully she's all right. She'll get up to go to second. Butera men scores and Venditti will get there. And she's grabbing at that right like calf there. I hope she's all right. I think the pitcher might have threw it off her. Yeah, I think she's going to be fine. The ball was thrown and hit her, but she was in foul territory. So, if she was in

091fair territory, she may have been called out, but she was where she was supposed to be. Uh ball did come off her leg. She's a catcher, she's tough. Yeah. Uh no problem at all. I think coach might get her maybe run for her. Ava doesn't look thrilled about that, but what what's the sense? Uh why won't get somebody in for a little bit a little bit of action here. That looks like number seven. Is that Sierra Mullins, I believe? That is Sierra Mullins, correct. The sophomore. >> Yeah. Yeah, sophomore Sierra Mullins coming in to uh run for Ava Vendetti, and and Kyra gets her second at bat of the inning. Mullins is two for two on steals, so we'll watch that as Kyra will foul that one to the dugout. She is one for two,

092a couple RBIs, and a walk for Kyra. 15 to one Clockers, bottom of the fourth. There are two outs here. Here comes the 0-1. That is upstairs from Tuskus, and a ball and a strike. And we will wait and see if we get to see Lorelei Collette bat again here. Sure would be nice to get her one more. Kyra smokes it into center field, but right at the center fielder, Blanchard, who makes the catch. That was a rocket, but unfortunately, nothing to show for. Yeah, second rocket in two days that's been right at a center fielder for Kyra. Unfortunately, she's not able to put one into a gap. Uh and she makes the third out of the inning, so we do not get to see Lorelei Collette come up again and try and chase that

093cycle down. Um but we are now at a 15 to one lead as the Clockers uh essentially put this thing away in the bottom of the fourth if they can get three quick outs here in the top of the fifth. It will be Nico Usaris who will look to close it out, get a win on the mound which she unfortunately didn't get yesterday, got the no decision, but she'll look for that here and hopefully a big 14-run win to cap off a great regular season for the Clockers. Yeah, and what's interesting is they're at they put up 15 runs in this is it could be their 15th win. So, 15 runs in this game for their 15th win of the season. Um you know, 15 and five this year. I think it's I obviously we're

094getting ahead of ourselves a little bit. I think it's safe to say that this one is well in hand. Um but 15 and five um to to end this season after going six and 13 the year before and 0 and 20 two years ago. What a tremendous turnaround for this Clocker program. Yeah, and I don't know the statistics behind it, but that might be one of the you know, the best turnarounds in a in a couple years that we've seen out of you know, any team and maybe any sport in the Tri-Valley League. It's a very impressive few years here for Coach Lasso. Yeah, this is Coach Lasso's first year. Yeah, it's first year. And we got some substitutes in here. Senior Taylor Couch is in and as the new right fielder and Ella Dickinson

095is behind home plate uh catching now for Nico in the fifth. Here comes the first pitch. That's a pop up >> [screaming] >> in the shallow center field. The catch is made. A nice call off there from Sanders. And that is out number one. Two outs away from a win. >> You know, that's a really good play by Maddie Sanders taking charge out there in center field. That's her job to take charge. She calls off Couch who's in right field. The both of them are going for it, but Maddie does do her job and is absolutely her ball. She makes a nice catch to make the first out. Here comes the nine hole hitter, Derry. Lexi Derry picks the ball in the dirt. She is 0 for 1 >> [music] >> with a strikeout so

096far. So, the top of the lineup in Krzinski on deck. Bases empty, one away here. As Usaurus will deliver the 1-0. That's a line drive into right or left center field. That's down for a base hit in front of Sanders. Wyatt turned around first, but [screaming] a wise decision by Derry to head back. Yeah, Manning does a good job getting over to that ball. That would That definitely found a gap. There was no chance they were going to catch it, but Manning does play it really well, gets it in, holds holds the runner to first base. And Krzinski will bat 0 for 1 with a walk at the top of the lineup. Runner on first here. That one upstairs. We'll see if they try to test Dickinson behind the plate. So, we we talked about

097Ella Dickinson into catch. I failed to mention that that moved Kyra over to first cuz Caroline was catching. She moved over to first base. So, that's another defensive change that was made. As Kazadian not on the field, that's a ball that gets by Dickinson and down to second base goes Derry easily. So, a runner in a scoring position here, but with that 14-run lead, one run will not prevent a mercy here. Yeah, they they they do need to play the few. Um so, right now they're up 14. So, they're going to have to play three. That one is off the glove of Dickinson. So, Derry will get down to third base. It's now a 3-0 count here to the lead-off Krzinski. Now, what what are the things that Ella does uh bring as a strength

098behind the plate is she is a very good uh blocker. So, if she can keep the ball in front of her, they should be able to save this runner from scoring. Comes a 3-0. That one popped up. So, Krzizaulski had the green light there on the 3-0, and it's 3 and 1. It'd be nice to see if Nico can get another strikeout here. Yeah, three strikeouts today. That one is fouled away. So, she battles back from 3-0. It's [music] now 3 and 2. Yeah, Nico has had a battle a couple times, but absolutely a better performance today than yesterday, especially being around the plate. Limited her walks. So, it'd be great to see if she can get out of this one with a complete game. As that one will be ball four, so Krzizaulski will

099walk for the second time. But, yesterday she did pitch five full innings and was over 100 pitches. Today, only 64 pitches here with one away in the fifth. Yeah, a completely different outing for her today. As you just saw, Elefante gets a really nice stop there on that ball that was rolling to keep the runner from advancing to third. Shayla Tuskus will take a strike. One for two, has struck out. Now on the mound. After starting in left. >> I'm interested to see what the what the play is here if they try to steal second base. Coach Sasso has been pretty aggressive with runners [music] on first and third allowing his uh It's not going to matter. That one gets by as Derry will score and down to second base goes Krzizaulski. So, it is

100a 15 to two game here. And only one away here for the Gators. Yeah, as I was saying, coach has been pretty aggressive allowing his catchers to try to throw runners out with a runner on third base, uh but didn't get to see what was going to happen there with the with the wild pitch. As it's now two balls and a strike here on Tuskus. And the lead has just gone to 13. So, two more runners across and we're going to get to see Lorelei Collette. >> And we will. So, we'll There's some some positives and negatives if a couple more runs scoring as it's now a three ball and one strike out. >> Yeah, I know obviously I want this game to end with a with a victory, but I certainly wouldn't mind having

101the opportunity to see Lorelei come to plate one more time if we could get that wish. As that one is upstairs. Krzcenski will take third and a walk by Tosches. So, runners on the corners here. And that fourth run is on base now to keep this game going with one away as Grace Isherwood, the shortstop, will bat here over two on the afternoon. Yeah, now we we potentially get to see what what coach Sasso decides to do with the runner on first and third. First pitch, that's a ground ball to third base. Collette will throw to the plate, but the runner did not break. >> [cheering and applause] >> So, we'll see how they rule that. It might be an error. Yeah, that So, I I'm not sure exactly how that was going to get

102Maybe a fielder's fielder's choice, but certainly a bit of a mental lapse there by Lorelei with the runner in front of her throwing home when you can get the easy out at first. Now, that loads the bases. They do have a force play at the plate. As Piper Bresnehan lines it into left center field. That is down and [screaming] that will get their fourth run in. >> [cheering] >> They'll hold up the runner at third base on a two RBI double from from Piper Bresnehan and it is now 15 to four. Yeah, so we were going to get have to move into the bottom of the fifth inning now. Um good piece of hitting there with the bases loaded for for Grafton with only one out and runners on second and third. You hate to

103see this happen because they've fallen asleep a little bit here right now. Talkers. They got They got a little I think they got a little complacent being up by so many runs. Um you know misplay there on the ground ball to collect should be two outs right now and the bases are loaded and they get a big hit for the double and now it's second and third with only one out and they can get a couple runs across. >> [screaming] >> And lucky for them, even though they were lazy at being up 14, they're still up 11 runs. So that's a good stop, as you said, by Dickinson behind the plate, but it is ball one here as Ava Welch, who's now in center field after pitching, is at the plate. >> [cheering] >> One

104for one, walk and a run scored, and it's now two and 0 to her. Yeah, and Nico might be getting a little frustrated here. This is one of those situations where she's got to settle herself down, just throw strikes, understand that they do have a still a 11-run lead and and just let her defense do the work. As it is now three balls and no strikes and has a chance to load the bases here if she does issue a free pass. She's only walked four this afternoon, but behind three and 0 here, she'll need to battle back again. Here it comes. That one is ball four. Good stop behind the plate by Dickinson. The bases are loaded here with only one away as Crystal Martinez, the catcher, will come to the plate. Yeah, good opportunity

105here now for a ground ball. We We were trying to manifest this yesterday with the bases loaded and one out. Nice to see if we can get a ground ball right back to the pitcher for a little 1-2-3 double play. That's what I'm ordering up. As that is inside of Martinez, she is one for two with a single against Eustace this afternoon. And unfortunately Nico falls behind here with the bases loaded. Nowhere to put her. That's a strike. It's Isherwood on third, Bresnehan Bresnehan on second, and Welch on at first. Nowhere to put the batter Martinez. Here comes the 1-1. Outside, two balls and a strike here. Casey Sullivan would bat next. Casey Sullivan with our favorite bat on the on-deck circle, but let's worry about getting Martinez right now. As the 2-1 is grounded

106by Kyra into right field. One run scores. They're going to send Bresnehan to the plate. Welch will head into third, and don't look away, folks. It's 15 to 6 now. Yeah, it's a hot shot there. Just just out the outstretched reach of Kyra. Goes into right field, and they plate another run. And runners on the corners, so they might not be done here with only one away as Sullivan will bat. She'll try to bunt, but it goes right by her bat, and it's nothing in one. Yeah, that's a two-run single, actually. So, that 11-run lead is now to nine. Uh so, the clockers are going to have some work to do because they the the mercy rule is now well out of reach. It is indeed. They would need at this moment three runs to

107make it a 12-run game again, and then they would also have to finish off another or actually no, they could win it in the fifth in the bottom of the fifth. >> Yeah, they could win it in the bottom of the fifth, but at this point, we're just talking about getting out of this inning because they're still only one out with runners on first and third, and the the Gators are not not going quietly. And I feel like I jinxed Mustaras with the pitch count. It is now up to 82 here with only one away in the fifth. Here comes the 2-1. Sullivan will ground that one to basically no-man's land and Herder will just have to put a fork in it. Another run comes to the plate on an infield base hit for Sullivan

108and it is 15 to 7 Clockers. Yeah, this is just one of those innings. The Clockers seem to have one of these innings almost every other game and you've you've got to be able to get out of these situations where the ball is just finding bad spots, not necessarily making plays, couple couple big hits. Uh and you know, it's it's unfortunate because this game was definitely one that was ripe to be done with and now now they're going to really have to if they worked it out for them up because it's only an eight-run game. Yeah, and barring a double play, the Gators will bat around in this inning as Calderone is the only batter who hasn't batted yet and she's up at the plate behind 0 and 1 here. So, the Clockers batted around

109in the bottom of the fourth and then in the top of the fifth, the Gators on the verge of doing just that as it's a ball and a strike now. Yep. First and second here with only one out. Here comes the 1-1. That one's fouled back. So, she is ahead here with Calderone who is 0 for 2 with a strikeout so far this afternoon. Trying to get her here. 1-2 for Mustaras. That one bounces there. Good stop by Dickinson again. Two balls and two strikes now. Yeah, this becomes a pretty big pitch right now and trying to put her away. Here comes the 2-2 home. That is ball three. The count is full. So, we did see Holly Cashin warming up moments ago. I wouldn't be surprised if Nico get lets up a free pass

110here if we see Holly come in to try and close out this fifth. Here comes the 3-2 and it is ball four. That is the sixth walk issued by Ustaris and now the bases are loaded. Martinez, Sullivan, and Calderon. Traffic on the bases and we will see coach Lasso come out here. Coach Sasso. >> Sasso, oh my god. I was thinking of Ted Lasso there. Coach Coach Lasso is certainly a positive positive guy. Coach Sasso is also incredibly positive guy. Uh that But right now we've got to believe. We do. [laughter] We do need to believe. >> to believe. >> We need to believe. We need to believe that they can get out of this one. It's a really tough jam. And it also looks like Ella Dickinson is getting subbed out as well. So,

111uh Ella is going back to the bench. Ruby Casadean is putting the catcher's equipment on. She's going behind the dish. And Holly Cashin is coming in. Um I I Sorry. a mask go flying. I'm not sure who exactly that belonged to. >> was might have been Quinn Herder's glove. I think she might be going to the outfield again. I I don't >> was Quinn Herder's mask. >> mask. >> It was her mask. So, looks like Quinn is going into center field. Maddie's probably moving over to left. Nico is going to get over to shortstop. So, some defensive shifts. And we will see Cashin making her sixth appearance. She got a win yesterday, 2-0 on the season. In 15 innings pitched, and she will attempt to get out of this bases loaded jam with only one

112away here. And not trying to project a home run, but it would make it only a four-run game. Wow, that's a scary proposition right now. Going going from what was a 14-run lead to only an eight-run lead with a bases loaded and only one out. This is a really important spot here for Holly. You just come in and just throw strikes. They've got to get an out here. They've They've got the opportunity to make an easy out on the bases in the infield. You got a force play all around. It's another defensive substitution is being made by coach Sasso as he brings Lexi Maloney back into the outfield, substituting out Taylor Kotch, who had come in to play right. Uh so, around around defensively here, I'm going to give you a quick rundown. So, Kazanjian

113is in to catch. Eustace goes over to shortstop, which moves Herder into the outfield. It looks like she's lined up to play center. Maddie Sanders moves from center field over to left field. Lexi Maloney comes in off the bench uh to go over to right field in place of Kotch. Uh so, a number of substitutions that were made and Holly Cashin is pitching. Uh Kyra is still playing first base. Buterman remains at second, and Collette is over to third. I believe at this point in the game, the only people who are in the same position that they started uh are Haley Buterman at second base and Lorelei Clodfelter It is exactly right. It is a lot of moving pieces here, but hopefully it benefits the Clockers on defense and we will see Lexi Derry, the

114number nine hitter who led off this inning with a base hit. She will lead or lead it off against Holly Cashin, her first batter she'll see. With the bases loaded and one out nowhere to put her. Yeah, Cashin brings a little bit of velocity here. Let's see what she can do against the nine hitter. Maybe induce a ground ball and get out of this thing. That would be huge. The first pitch is upstairs for ball one, so she starts off behind here. You get a real strong arm behind the plate now, too, with with the um, now fourth catcher that we've seen in two days. Uh, we yesterday we saw Ava Vendetti. We saw Caroline Cairo start this game. We saw Ella Dickinson come in and now Ruby Casadian makes the fourth catcher we've seen

115in two days. There is a plethora of catchers on this Clockers team. >> That's never a bad thing, but that is lined into left field, a fair ball. One run scores and they will go station to station as coming home is Martinez. Sullivan gets down to third. And that is another knock here for the Gators. It is 15 to eight and the bases remain loaded. It is the top of the lineup will bat again here with Katherine Krizinski. Yeah, so I think the Clockers really got complacent and that's coming back to haunt them. This is a good lesson for them to learn. Uh, you know, again, a young team. I think they they they knew they were up 14 and they played like they were up 14 so far in this inning. They've got to

116now be able to flip that switch back on and get the second and third out, get out of this inning and get their bats going to see if we can end this game in the sixth. As it is a ball and a strike here on Krzizinski. Here comes the 1-1. That's a strike. So, she is back ahead here, one ball, two strikes. This would be huge to get a strikeout here. Yeah, it would really be big. It'd be good big for Holly's confidence, too. Um again, she pitched well yesterday when she came in in relief, got got them the win. Swing and a miss for a strike three. Went fishing there, came up empty, and there's two away. Yeah, a really big strikeout there by Holly Cash. Now, we've got two outs, stopped the bleeding

117a little bit. >> [crying] >> Uh easy play now in the infield if there is a ground ball, you get to go any bag, uh or maybe induce a pop fly to get out of this thing. Shayla Tosches will bat and take on just outside, one for two with a walk. And they would need five runs in the bottom half of the fifth to end it in five. Currently, Tosches ground ball, nice play by Buterman, she'll step on the bag there. Well done, and that will finally put an end to the top of the fifth. Yeah, a nifty little backhanded play by Haley, showing a little bit of range, making a really smart play, knowing that that was taking her towards second base. All she's going to do is step from the bag, get out

118of that inning with the third out of of the inning. But, man, that was a tough one to watch. A really, really long inning for the the Grafton Gators who took what was a 14 to one lead by the Clockers, and now, I'm sorry, 15 to one lead by the Clockers, and now it is 15 to eight, a a really tremendous inning by Grafton, and you know, this is this is a a ball game to a certain extent. >> It certainly is and it was exactly how we entered the bottom of the fourth inning. It was a seven run lead for the Clockers and they scored seven runs, but then Grafton matches it. So now back to a seven run lead and all the Clockers need is five runs and we will get to see

119Lorelei Collett come back to the plate. That's definitely a positive of getting to play another half inning here. Yeah, it certainly is a positive to get to play this this next half of the inning to see what Lorelei can do and I guess the other positive to look at is is everybody else gets some additional at bats, right? But you know, you the the game should still be in hand when you're up seven, but you never know because if you have another inning like that one, anything can happen. The way the Clockers have been hitting so far today, they've been hitting the ball well. They have 13 hits for their 15 runs and they have plated a run in every inning so far. So hopefully that trend continues and I have a good feeling that

120this lead off hitter is going to get on base. And a triple would give her the cycle. We did see a two home run game yesterday instead of a triple, so maybe we'll get another one of those. She's three for three, three RBIs, she scored two runs and she continues to be red hot with the bat. She's also played some good defense. And here we go. Yeah, she's got to be stepping up to the plate with a boatload of confidence right now. What I don't want to see out of Lorelei is her over swing. That's the one thing that you know, can happen to a kid who is maybe a little over confident, but I have a feeling the way she's hitting right now, anything can happen. First pitch, that's a ground ball to third.

121And that is a fair ball? No, it's foul ball. It's foul ball. I actually think that she she did over swing a little bit on that. So I want her to settle herself back down because she's got a brand new life. That was a a ground ball to third, a foul ball. Certainly not what she has been doing. That 0-1 pitch is upstairs from Tosques. Here comes the 1-1. That's out of here. THAT'S GONE. >> TO LEFT CENTER and she has done it again. That is her longest one we've seen. It is another two home run day for Lorelei Collett, an identical stat line to yesterday. What exactly is >> [cheering] >> this kid eating because I hope they can give it to everybody else. Unbelievable. We're talking about four home runs in two days.

122Another two home run day for Lorelei Collett. I'm trying to think of a nifty nickname that we can give this kid because she is automatic right now. She hasn't gotten out in her last seven appearances. As Kazadian rips one foul and yeah, that one ain't ain't played a pitch. She's four for four today. >> She is four for four. Eight straight hits for Lorelei. As I still haven't seen the fans who went to go find that ball come back yet, so might be deep into the woods out there. That one was looked like her longest one we've seen for sure. >> Yeah, absolutely and that was out of here in a hurry. The exit velocity on that and then Ruby rips one. >> ropes one into left field down for a base hit. So, she

123follows up the home run with her second hit of the afternoon. So, the Clockers are back in business with the bats here. Man oh man, I can't stop thinking about the the hot bat of Collett and then Ruby does come back and laces one into left field. Uh hopefully this inning can and can get us a few more runs right now with something brewing. No outs uh for Quinn Herder. Colette looks like she's well on her way to getting a What's the What's it called? What's the sandwich for the offensive player? >> Oh yeah, that's the King Kong. >> Kong sandwich. Yeah, that's I mean it's kind of one of those things where there's even a doubt about it. >> No. I think she deserves the sandwich voucher, too. >> [laughter] >> I mean two

124in a row. Wow, what a day for her. Just an impressive impressive showing. Really happy for her. As Maddie Sanders digs in and takes a ball, that was Quinn Herder who bloops one to the second baseman Sullivan who made a nice catch. So we have only one out here, runner on first base. Sanders pops that one up. The first baseman and the second baseman look at that ball. Kazadian does not know if it's fair. The ball comes to the pitcher and then down to second base and she is out. They only needed a force out there and Kazadian just didn't know if it was a fair ball or not. Yeah, really unfortunate. They caught Ruby sleeping a little bit there at first base. You got to keep your eye on that ball to see it.

125She just didn't didn't move and that ball drops in and she gets tagged, you know, called out in the force at second base. An unfortunate base running mistake there by the Clockers. So as that one gets away from the catcher Martinez and down to second base will go Sanders. Lexi Maloney at the dish. Started over two with two strikeouts but had a nice single the other way last time. Yeah. Like Like to see Lexi get an on again here. Head one and oh, she tries to bunt there. That's a good one. Maloney will beat the throw to first base. A bang-bang play over there but she has her second hit today. It was close. >> I that was close. Again, I thought I thought If I'm the head coach of Grafton, I'm looking for instant

126replay on that. I think that Lexi was thrown out at first base, but we get we get a fortunate call by the base umpire who is in a tough spot over there on the other side of the field. As Eustace grounds that one to third, a nice play there by Bresnahan, and she gets it over in time. So, the Clockers do get one run on the homer, but it is only an eight-run game, and we will play a sixth inning here. Yeah, we will we will play a a full sixth inning. This thing is going to go at least six because the Clockers have an eight-run lead, and Grafton is looking to see if they can, you know, cause a little damage here. But good news that in the bottom of the sixth inning, we

127will get to see we potentially get to see Lorelei Collett. She is due up fourth, so one base runner would give her her fifth at bat. And maybe a three-home run game? Is that too much to ask for? >> what? That would be absolutely incredible. I I I I would love to see it happen, and what would be really fun is if Butermann, Vendetti, and Kyra could all get on base for her because what a what a sensational way to top off the season for her to end maybe with a four-bagger with three on for the old grand slam. It is a walk-off in it it's own way. You know, not to to mercy. A walk-off to mercy. That would be so pretty cool for her. >> Yeah, that would be that would be great.

128And if we can manifest that to happen, because they right now have an eight-run lead. They It looks like we got a substitution coming in. At first Caroline Kyra is going out. Ava Vendetti is going in for her, uh, is interesting. Now, Cairo will still have her fourth spot in the lineup, correct? Is that how that works or >> so. I I do I do think so. I think that she will still be allowed to hit, but that's why I was saying that's interesting because Ava is also batting. So, Yeah, but oh, Ava's the designated player. She's the designated player. Yes, Ava's the designated player. That So, it is Yeah, so Cairo still will be able to hit. As Holly Cashin throws ball one to begin the sixth inning facing Grace Isherwood, who's one for

129three so far this afternoon. As Cashin looks for a scoreless inning here. Here comes the 1-0. It's a ground ball to shortstop and it gets off the foot there of Ustaris and in the center field. So, most likely an error there for the Clockers. That's only their first error today if it goes down as one. >> You know what, Jacob? I'm not sure if that's going to be an error. That ball was hit hard. That that thing came right shot out at her. The official score may give that a single. I I would really think about that. I think that that ball was It did. Tough tough score today. I'm not sure who that is, but that You know, it could have gone either way. As that one's grounded to the third. Collette gets one.

130Buttermans throw to first is not in time, but a great job by Collette to get the lead runner for out number one. Yeah, that's her fourth assist of the day, uh, for Lorelei. And again, I mean, she she might be sweeping the awards today. Uh, she might be sweeping the awards with with the offensive and defensive player of the game, uh, as she makes a really nice play to get the lead runner at second. Just can't turn it in time for [music] the double play. This one away. That's a good off-speed for strike one as the number five hitter Ava Welch, who started on the mound is now in center, will bat. She is one for one, has walked twice and scored twice. So, here comes the 0-1. That's a swing and a miss and

131a good stop behind the plate by Kazanjian on a ball that could have got by. >> Yeah, really nice scoop there by Ruby being able to save that one from going by. Keep that runner on first base. Got got down on that low. Makes a really nice stop on the on a low pitch. Here comes the 0-2 from Cashin. That is strike three looking. Good morning, good afternoon, and good night. That's a really nice pitch. She had her fooled all the way. Holly puts that right by her for a a strikeout and the second out of the inning. Uh and the Clockers look like they've refound themselves a little bit this inning. Certainly looks a lot cleaner as Crystal Martinez will bat. She's two for three. And she'll take one low. That one bounces in

132front of Kazanjian. The runner takes off. It's a good throw. A hard one, but it will not get Breslohan Breslohan. So, that is a runner in the scoring position with two outs here for the Gators. >> Yeah, Ruby had no shot at her at second base there. Good good block keep in front of her, but absolutely no chance even with uh a really strong arm. That's a big wave and a miss there by Martinez. >> She saw Laura Lies' father walk by. He He He He can't believe it either. This is just an unbelievable showing by her. Uh we can't wait to see her get up again. That one is low. Two balls and a strike. So, two balls and one strike on Martinez. That one is grounded there to third base. Collette charges. Here's

133the throw and it's in time to first base. A nice stretch by Vendetti to get out number three in the top of the sixth. And we will head to the bottom of the sixth. The Clockers need four runs for a mercy here in the final game of the regular season and we'll get to see a good part of their lineup as it's Butera man, Vendetti and Kyra and if any of those batters reach we will get to see Lorelei Collette for the fifth time today. A chance for her third home run this afternoon. But a good inning from Cashin on the mound and Tosches will pitch another inning here for Grafton. Five runs given up in two innings here for Tosches but only one of them earned. Hasn't walked anyone and doesn't have a strikeout

134either. Six hits for Ashland against her and they would need four runs to try to win this in six innings and finish the season at 15 and five. Butera man on the afternoon is two for four. Couple runs scored has also driven in a run. Has made a couple nice plays at second base as well. And she'll look to get this inning going here. So what a treat it would be if we would get a walk-off grand slam for the mercy if the bases can be loaded for Lorelei Collette. But it's up to the three in front of her. Butera man digs in. >> Here comes the first pitch. That one is outside for ball one. Butermann ahead in the count here is the 1-0. That one is popped up back behind the plate and

135giving a look is Martinez, but it is out of play. And it's one ball and one strike. Mr. Mr. Cairo will return to the broadcast shortly. Here's the 1-1. Butermann grounds that one past the dive of the third baseman. That was a sliding stop at short. Butermann will get back to first base and that's an infield single. It wasn't a dive by the third baseman. It was actually the slide at shortstop by Grace Isherwood. It was a nice play and she got up and threw as quick as she could. But it was not in time. It's a three-hit afternoon for Butermann. As Vendetti will take one low. Good job from Haley. Now on at first base, Vendetti's one for four so far this afternoon. Cairo on deck. Here comes the 1-0 pitch. That's a ground

136ball. Shortstop Isherwood will go to first base in time. Down to third base goes Butermann and good base running again from the Clockers. Butermann takes an extra base and she is now at third with one away. And Caroline Cairo will dig in next. Cairo's one for three, couple RBIs and a walk so far this afternoon. Butermann's at third with one away. Cairo takes one low. Good stop from Martinez. So Butermann led off the inning with an infield single. And then the ground out from Vendetti. Butera with good base running gets down to third. Here's the 1-0 to Kyra. That one is smoked. It would have touched at third base and the dive back to the bag by Bresnahan will end the sixth inning. A batter before we got to see Lorelei Collette. And the clockers

137go quickly. Well, that's unfortunate. Sometimes when when you're just trying to buy a hit and that you know, Caroline absolutely smoked that ball down the third base line and that was a heck of a play. That's one of the best defensive plays I've seen all season. Sets up Haley in absolute no man's land and she gets doubled off at third to end the the bottom of the sixth and now it's 16 to 8 and we don't get to see Lorelei unless the miracle happens and they put a hit on the board. We do not want that to happen at this point. >> at least five runs for this win, like you said, to get those points. We talked about it earlier, the hot corner. That's why they call it that and that ball was roped

138and unfortunately, Caroline has had a couple hard hits like that the last couple days, which she just has no In the box score, you can't see it result in anything. >> Yeah, it's really unfortunate that that the Caroline has been the unlucky recipient. They're probably the three balls that she's hit the hardest in the last two two games have all um made outs. So, uh not good for the batting average, uh but got to stay positive and just keep swinging the bat because the ball is coming off the bat pretty good. Yeah, and Holly Cashin has pitched 1 and 2/3, only one hit, no runs, no walks, two strikeouts. She will look to finish it off here. Against 7-8-9. Yes, it is 7-8-9. Here comes the first pitch. That one is fouled back. Casey Sullivan

139will lead it off. It is the same defensive alignment as it was in the last inning with Vendetti uh coming in at first base. Sanders, Herder, and Maloney out the outfield. Butera remains at second. Collette remains at third. Eustace at short and the battery of Cashin to Kazanjian. >> [screaming] >> That was a called strike there. So, quickly ahead nothing in two of Sullivan. That one's fried into center [screaming] field. Herder goes back and she makes the catch. Good job by Herder to settle under that fly ball and a quick out number one here. Nice job there by Quinn tracking that ball down. Got the first out. I had really liked to see the way Lexi Maloney sprinted over there to back her up just in case something crazy happened. Nice job by the junior

140getting over there to help out her friend in center. As there is one away. That was a swing and a miss there by Leah Collarone who is 0 for 2 walking a strikeout so far. Another batter getting ahead here for Cashin. And that one just missed. A ball and a strike. >> I sure would like to know where that one missed, Jacob. I I know I've been a little bit critical of the man in blue behind the dish today, but I I just have no idea why that one wasn't a strike. Uh must be the bad vantage point that we have. And that one's grounded to third. Collette fields it and the throw is in time at first base. And two quick outs for Cashin here. They are one out away from a win. And

141that's uh Lorelei's fifth infield assist of the day over there at third. Uh she's had six six total chances. Um I believe that one that we were questioning went down as a fielder's choice. So it wasn't indeed given an error on that. So she's had a clean day over at third to go along with that day. That was lined to second and Butera makes the catch and the game is over. The Clockers take it 16 to eight. An offensive explosion again. They come out alive despite a rocky, what was it, fourth inning and a huge huge win in the final game of the regular season. 15 and five is how they finish. What an incredible season for these girls. A regular season that gives them 15 wins. I can't even imagine that these girls thought

142that this was going to happen coming in with a brand new head coach, coming off a season where they only won six and the the the play of Lorelei Collette on the last two games has been absolutely magical. Let's hope that she continues the hot hitting into the playoffs. And what an opportunity for these girls right now, right? They are 15 and five. They they end the regular season with an eight-run lead eight-run win over Grafton without their best pitcher. You know, Nico Eustace gives a a good performance. Holly Cashin comes in in relief and now they're on to the state tournament. Yeah, it is absolutely huge and they have a lot in front of them, you know. Now the regular season's in the past. You wait for that bracket to come out. You've got

143your opponent and then basically I believe end of next week is when the state tournament starts for both baseball and softball. So, it's right to work. Yeah, they'll be anxiously awaiting tomorrow's power rankings. They're going to come out around 11:00 a.m. The Clockers coming into uh the day were the number 29 team in Division 2. Um have to imagine that they won't drop to 30 with today's win, but anything is possible as the as the Gators do not necessarily have a great power ranking themselves. So, they did what they were supposed to do. They needed to win this game by five, and they did. They won two games this week um after the after the Tuesday power rankings came out. So, I would be shocked if they fell below the 29, but I would also

144be surprised if they moved up to 28 in the rankings, which right now lines them up to have a battle against a really good Lincoln high school team. >> [screaming] >> Indeed, and you know, any team you play in the postseason, it's going to be a challenge. It you know, no offense to the last two teams they played, but they weren't the greatest on paper. So, you're going to be playing teams that, you know, most likely had an above .500 record. You might not have fit You might not have faced them in in the regular season. So, it's going to be a lot of new opponents that they might have to face, and they have to adjust, get the scouting report, and you know, do do the best with what they got. Yeah, you know,

145Jacob, there is an outside shot that they might play against a familiar opponent based on wherever these final rankings end up. Wayland is out there, and uh if Wayland does indeed end up finishing .500, uh they have two more games this week, one against I believe Holliston. Uh if Wayland indeed does uh make the tournament, they could end up having a second match-up against the Clockers in the tournament. So, that's the only way they could possibly see a an opponent that they faced earlier in the year. Otherwise, I would expect them to have to take on a team that they haven't seen. And that, you know, always presents a challenge. Everybody is coming for you in a state tournament game. Yeah, and a lot of these players are playing their best ball right now, and

146that definitely helps when you're going into the postseason. When your bats are hot and you can get momentum, it's it's huge. And as you said, Wayland, they did beat them five to four earlier in April. So, that is a team that they have faced, but again, even if you do play them, you win that game, you're going to the whole tournament, you're going to be facing teams that you're not familiar with, that don't play, maybe even teams that you play. So, common opponents. So, it's it's definitely tough once you get towards the later rounds of the state tournament. >> Yeah, it's it's going to it's going to be tough sledding the rest of the way, but I think the one thing that these these teams needs to remember is the future is incredibly bright for

147this program, no matter what happens in the state tournament. Obviously, we'd love to see them try and make a run, but the turnaround has been sensational. They are a really young team. They have been powered by their young players. When you think about what they have done so far this year. Bella Domestico, a freshman, led the way the entire way for the pitching staff. Unfortunately, she's out right now, could potentially miss the postseason play. Even Dedi leading the team in RBIs, she's a freshman. Laura Like Collette, you can't say enough about her. She's clearly our player of the game today. She's the offensive player of the game and the defensive player of the game with with her with her assists over there at third base. She is only a sophomore. Nikki Eustace probably up over

148600 average right now. She is only a sophomore. Haley Buttermilk, I think he pitched him with three hits today. She is only a sophomore. She's starting at second base. Then you've got, you know, Caroline Kyra who's had a great season hitting the ball. She's a junior. Ruby Casadei had a ton of power. She's had a good season at the plate. She's hitting well over 300. She's only a junior. This this team is is ripe for the future. So, no matter what happens in this tournament, I'm excited to see what happens. Yeah, it seems like it's they're just breaking the surface of some of the potential with these players. And like you said, it's the first year for coach Sasso, and already, you know, a huge huge I guess you could say surprise considering the way

149they've played the last, you know, what, 13 years, 14 years. So, it's it's huge to go 15 and 5. And even if you do, you know, not make it out of the postseason or make it in the postseason very far, I still think that this season is certainly a win going 15 and 5 and and making the state tournament. That's a win in itself. >> Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely, yes. So, and it has been a pleasure to watch them play. And it has been a pleasure to do this with you. I'm so glad that we were able to do it one more time. Who knows, maybe if they're hosting a playoff game, we'll get to do a third game. Jacob, it really has been great. I've enjoyed this opportunity. I think it's time to to close

150this thing out. Yeah, well, it was a pleasure to do it with you a couple days in a row. Some great great softball, a lot of offense, a lot of home runs. It's been a pleasure to be with you. And the Clockers will take the final game of the season 16 to 8 from the Grafton Gators here from Ashland High School. They finished the regular season 15 and 5, and they'll await their power rankings in that bracket coming out next week. So, we'll say so long from Ashland High School. Ashland Clockers get a big win. A big win, indeed. Thank you for joining us today. Have a good night.