At the conclusion of game #3 the group traveled to see the PRBAHS. Game #4 was again against the PRBAHS, this time against the 18 team, but only after a player and coaches lunch at the school. Game #4 was at a different field in Caguas but it also seemed to have some historical significance. There were plaques in the stands celebrating championship teams of old, two of which Alex Cora played on in his youth ('85 and '86). The PRBAHS pitchers in this game threw a lot of heat, had good change-ups, and some good breaking pitches too. The GAB bats were pretty silent but their defense was solid with the 
score 2-0 after four innings of play. Alex Cave pitched a complete game for the GAB. It seemed almost all of the PRBAHS players batted left (there were a few righties) which gave Dallas Mickey and Nick Moretti a workout on the right side of the infield. Alex's stuff had the PRBAHS players somewhat off-balance as not much went out to Larry Pagano in right field all day. That changed in the bottom of the 5th when the GAB surrendered a two run wood bat home run over the right field fence to bolster their lead to 4-0. Not content to leave our final game shut-out, Chris Hacker got on base when the PRBAHS secondbaseman 
booted a ball. A lucky balk call moved Hack to 2B setting the stage for a Kevin Sadoski RBI double to the Right-Center gap. But that was all the GAB had that day. The defense held solid for the bottom of the 6th but the PRBAHS put the GAB down in order in the top of the 7th for a final score of 4-1. Looking back, the GAB went 1-3 over the trip but seemed to play pretty competively in all the games. Our bats weren't as lively as we might have liked but this was the first time facing live pitching for many of the players since Fall Ball. I do have to say the kids had fun and enjoyed all the games, regardless of what the scoreboard said at the end.
score 2-0 after four innings of play. Alex Cave pitched a complete game for the GAB. It seemed almost all of the PRBAHS players batted left (there were a few righties) which gave Dallas Mickey and Nick Moretti a workout on the right side of the infield. Alex's stuff had the PRBAHS players somewhat off-balance as not much went out to Larry Pagano in right field all day. That changed in the bottom of the 5th when the GAB surrendered a two run wood bat home run over the right field fence to bolster their lead to 4-0. Not content to leave our final game shut-out, Chris Hacker got on base when the PRBAHS secondbaseman 
booted a ball. A lucky balk call moved Hack to 2B setting the stage for a Kevin Sadoski RBI double to the Right-Center gap. But that was all the GAB had that day. The defense held solid for the bottom of the 6th but the PRBAHS put the GAB down in order in the top of the 7th for a final score of 4-1. Looking back, the GAB went 1-3 over the trip but seemed to play pretty competively in all the games. Our bats weren't as lively as we might have liked but this was the first time facing live pitching for many of the players since Fall Ball. I do have to say the kids had fun and enjoyed all the games, regardless of what the scoreboard said at the end.
Bunt single to start the game, throwing error and two groundball outs and GAB was down 2-0.
ReplyDeletePRBAHS players were way up in the box and still couldn't time AC's breaking stuff. PRBAH's home run came off a 3-0 count. AC got the fastball a little up. Just before the pitch the PRBAH player asked Berroa what he should do. Berroa replied "Do what you want to do!". Needless to say the PRBAH player had a big smile after hitting it over the right field fence. Word is he's a potential 1st round pick.
On my way to coach 3rd base in the 2nd inning the home plate umpire stopped me. He didn't know any English but made it be known that he wanted to look at my shoes? I guess he liked them. I don't know if he understood me but I told him they were Nike Air MVP's brand new for our trip:-)
Lunch at the high school was interesting. A tradition Puerto Rican meal - rice and beans with hot dogs, peaches and choice of either regular milk or chocolate milk (in a bag). Berroa ate with the team.
Families had to fend for themselves during lunch. Mr. Ramos helped navigate through a local menu at a nearby restaurant. Mofungo was the food of choice.