We’ve been riding a streak of wins all season; since losing our first game we’ve won nine straight. Tonight, we faced our strongest opponents (based on record): the Roseville Nationals. With an 8-2 record, they started the night in 5th place, right behind some guys called the “Ironpigs” who are 9-1. :)

The Nationals were also +71 in run differential – we were at +56, so we knew they could hit. They showed that in the bottom of the first inning, with a couple of ringing singles to the outfield, along with some aggressive baserunning, scoring early. We fought back and forth all game, both teams putting the ball in play and creating runs.

It came down to the top of the 7th; the Nationals had scored a run in the bottom of the 6th to put them up 7-3. We got our first two runners aboard, and Jack came through again with a double to score two runs. 7-5.

We got a runner on a hit batsman, and another hit to score one more, making it 7-6, and Tyler came to the plate needing a single to tie the game, with Jake leading off third. Tyler fouled off several pitches and worked the count full, but the pitcher got one past him for the strikeout to end the game.

It was a fun game and a well-played one; losing is never fun but the guys had their spirits up. There’s no shame in playing hard and losing to a team that’s on top of their game. Another day we’d have come out on top, and maybe we’ll get a chance to get one back in the playoffs.

Final score: 7-6 Nationals.

Season record: 9-2.

Speaking of playoffs, this was the last game that counted for playoff seeding; we have two more games left in the season, but seeds need to be set tonight to provide schedules for games starting next Monday. We were in 4th place starting the night, facing the 5th place team, but with the loss, our positions are reversed – we have the same record, but whether the tiebreaker is run differential or head-to-head record, we lose either way.