Saturday, June 12, 2004
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME #1: Yankees (6) - Angels (4)

Sunday, June 13, 2004
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME #2: Yankees (5) - Angels (3)

LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE...

… as the Angels lose back-to-back games to the Yankees and come away with a second place finish in the Mustang championship. Don’t think anyone imagined it ending this way, and have to admit it’s hard to write up this conclusion to a very strong season. But on any given day, anything can happen, and we just didn’t bring our game last weekend.

The first inning proved insurmountable on Saturday, although we rallied in the 6th to make it a game. Chad took the mound, but didn’t have his usual command. Combine that with some uncharacteristic defensive errors, and before the fans got comfortable in their seats it was 6-0. But these were our Angels, and we still believed in their ability to make it happen. Unfortunately, the attitude on field said otherwise and it took a couple innings for several of the players to get back in the game. There were a few bright spots; Jared’s pitching was strong in the middle innings; he and Anthony delivered big hits at opportune moments; and had to appreciate Chad’s quick thinking when he pump faked to first and caught the runner coming down the line from third. It may not have paid off in the end, but a relay of well executed throws exhausted the runner and bet our boys learned a little something in the process. The Yankees played excellent ball, and took the victory, but we took something too … cause sometimes there are lessons that can only be learned in defeat, as evidenced the next afternoon.

On Sunday we saw optimism, much better attitudes, and team pride. Chins were up, even when another big inning took it’s toll. Once again there were a few highlights. Jordan’s reflexes are awesome! Did anyone even see the ball come off the bat when he handled a stinging comebacker to the mound? Adam made a terrific backhanded catch when a pop-up nearly grazed the chainlinks in front of our dugout, and he’s really learned to lay down the tag at third -- did it twice when Alex fired the ball his way. The shortstop cut-off worked to perfection when Alex and Chad gunned it back and forth to mow down a runner at the plate. Alex was a busy guy, having already held off another runner when Jordan tossed one back for an out.

In the 5th inning, Beau bounced one into right field for an RBI, Adam hit him in, and Jared’s infield fly hit the ground allowing him to come in under the tag when Nick laid down a bunt (and beat it out at first), bringing us within a run at 4-3. We left two on base and the Yankees added a run on our passed ball … but we were at the top of our lineup, and this time Angels on and off the field believed it could happen. And it almost did when Alex’s fly ball to center was dropped and Chad was intentionally walked to bring the winning run to the plate. Beau made solid contact but the first baseman was right there to make the play, and our season ended.

One can always say "a clutch hit here", "a routine play there" and it would have been a different ball game. Well, that may be true, but why focus on the "what ifs" when our reality is pretty incredible …a 20-3 record and another year rich in experience. Whether playing, instructing, or encouraging, I think we all leave the ballpark a little more inspired for having been Angels. Thanks for the memories, boys.