Liggett came in with men on 1st and 2nd and issued an intentional walk to Hegge to load the bases with 2 outs. His 1st pitch was a ball, then came a swing and miss on Piper's 2nd pitch. He then fouled one down the right field line that the right fielder got a glove on but couldn't hang on (a long run for him that dropped against the fence) then came the hit up the middle past the 2nd baseman to score Buckler and Huff.

 

Close, but not exactly correct.

 

**Mason got the #8 & #9 hitters to start the bottom of the 7th.

**Buckler got the double off Mason on a 1-2 or 0-2 count.

**In comes Liggett and induces a routine grounder to 2B who boots it and throws just late on a bang bang play at 1B. Interesting factor is that, for whatever reason, 1B intially went to his right to field the ball before figuring out it was clearly the 2B's play. That leads to 1B being late to the bag so the throw, the runner and the 1B all arrive at the bag around the same time. Buckler goes to 3rd. (1st & 3rd - 2 out.)

**Intentional walk to #3 batter. (Goes against "the book" to put the winning run in scoring position with 2 outs via intentional walk, but everyone I talked to said Bellevue's #3 hitter had been crushing the ball all day long.) (Bases loaded - 2 out.)

**Clean single to center.

 

In the top of the 5th, HHS scored 2 but could've gotten more:

**Gold leads off w/ a double down the LF line

**Gold moves to 3rd on a WP

**Murray clean single to CF over a drawn in IF (1st. 0 out. 4-4). (NOTE: Bellevue coaches earlier protested that bunt attempt hit batter outside the box. Umpire rules in the box - foul ball.)

**?Rizzo? called out after attempting to SAC pinch runner to 2B. Umpire rules ball hit Rizzo on foot in fair territory. HHS coaches protest it didn't touch him. (1st. 1 out. 4-4)

**I think next batter walks for HHS (can't remember). (1st & 2nd. 1 out. 4-4)

**With Liggett at bat and 2-2 count (apparently), Liggett takes ball 3 and both runners advance as if he was walked. Throw to 3B not in time to get runner. Liggett walked intentionally w/ 3-2 count and 1B open. (Bases loaded. 1 out. 4-4)

**Bellevue P operating from full windup and on 2nd or 3rd pitch, all runners get HUGE jump on suicide squeeze. Runner on 3B is literally 3/4 of the way to home before ball arrives. Dill keeps focus and gets the bunt down as everyone is arriving at the plate. Bellevue P fields and turns to throw to 1B. However, HHS runner on 2B is making huge turn and will try to score when P throws to 1B. P turns and catches runner in rundown and he is eventually tagged out. (1st & 2nd. 2 out. 5-4)

**Bellevue gets last out.

Great win for a great coach!!!!!!!!

Wow. I'm guessing probably not a lot of people would have picked Bellevue to win the district at the start of the season (including yours truly). So apparently this team IS indeed more than capable of playing some good baseball without the world famous Hunter Jones?!? :sssh: Congrats to them and Coach Sanders.

 

 

A bit soon to say that they have not won the district yet, still gotta play Newport today in district final.

When was the last time neither Highlands or Newport Central Catholic represented the 36th District in the regional tournament?

Close, but not exactly correct.

 

**Mason got the #8 & #9 hitters to start the bottom of the 7th.

**Buckler got the double off Mason on a 1-2 or 0-2 count.

**In comes Liggett and induces a routine grounder to 2B who boots it and throws just late on a bang bang play at 1B. Interesting factor is that, for whatever reason, 1B intially went to his right to field the ball before figuring out it was clearly the 2B's play. That leads to 1B being late to the bag so the throw, the runner and the 1B all arrive at the bag around the same time. Buckler goes to 3rd. (1st & 3rd - 2 out.)

**Intentional walk to #3 batter. (Goes against "the book" to put the winning run in scoring position with 2 outs via intentional walk, but everyone I talked to said Bellevue's #3 hitter had been crushing the ball all day long.) (Bases loaded - 2 out.)

**Clean single to center.

 

In the top of the 5th, HHS scored 2 but could've gotten more:

**Gold leads off w/ a double down the LF line

**Gold moves to 3rd on a WP

**Murray clean single to CF over a drawn in IF (1st. 0 out. 4-4). (NOTE: Bellevue coaches earlier protested that bunt attempt hit batter outside the box. Umpire rules in the box - foul ball.)

**?Rizzo? called out after attempting to SAC pinch runner to 2B. Umpire rules ball hit Rizzo on foot in fair territory. HHS coaches protest it didn't touch him. (1st. 1 out. 4-4)

**I think next batter walks for HHS (can't remember). (1st & 2nd. 1 out. 4-4)

**With Liggett at bat and 2-2 count (apparently), Liggett takes ball 3 and both runners advance as if he was walked. Throw to 3B not in time to get runner. Liggett walked intentionally w/ 3-2 count and 1B open. (Bases loaded. 1 out. 4-4)

**Bellevue P operating from full windup and on 2nd or 3rd pitch, all runners get HUGE jump on suicide squeeze. Runner on 3B is literally 3/4 of the way to home before ball arrives. Dill keeps focus and gets the bunt down as everyone is arriving at the plate. Bellevue P fields and turns to throw to 1B. However, HHS runner on 2B is making huge turn and will try to score when P throws to 1B. P turns and catches runner in rundown and he is eventually tagged out. (1st & 2nd. 2 out. 5-4)

**Bellevue gets last out.

 

Better watch out jpa. Keep posting recaps like this & people (like me) are going to expect it!

Better watch out jpa. Keep posting recaps like this & people (like me) are going to expect it!

 

It was much more fun posting the recap from MON night. :( At least this was cathartic to get it out of my system.

Dropped routine fly balls with 2 outs and kicking it around in the infield all with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th decided this one. Fundamentals and execution in the last inning was not present when needed. Congrats to Bellevue for taking advantage of some sloppy baseball by the Birds in the end and pulling out the win.

 

The fly ball to RF with 2 outs was anything but routine -- I was 20' away from it. Not only was the RF heading toward a narrow foul territory (15' from foul line to fence), this is also the area where the mound to warm up is located. As such, RF was negotiating the foul line, the mound and the fence while trying to make the catch. The ball did bounce off the edge of his glove, but it would've been a very good catch if he had made it.

When was the last time neither Highlands or Newport Central Catholic represented the 36th District in the regional tournament?

 

I know that 1982 it was Belleveue (Tarvin p) vs Newport (Atkins or Stamm) for the District Championship. I don't know if that was the last time or not, but I do know it has been a while. Although Highlands was not part of the District back then.

Excellent call goaheadandjump

 

From the Prediction Thread:

 

Originally Posted by goaheadandjump

If there is such a thing as a trap game this is it...............................Foregone conclusion that the winner of Highlands/NCC is going to regional............................... having to use #1 pitcher on monday..................emotional rivalry victory over NCC.

 

Bellevue has two strong veteran pitchers. Who knows how that will be handled............but if Bellevue plays solid defense and Highlands comes out a little flat it could be a very tight game.

Liggett came in with men on 1st and 2nd and issued an intentional walk to Hegge to load the bases with 2 outs. His 1st pitch was a ball, then came a swing and miss on Piper's 2nd pitch. He then fouled one down the right field line that the right fielder got a glove on but couldn't hang on (a long run for him that dropped against the fence) then came the hit up the middle past the 2nd baseman to score Buckler and Huff.

Just curious but why would Highlands intentionally walk a batter to put the winning run in scoring position?

I know that 1982 it was Belleveue (Tarvin p) vs Newport (Atkins or Stamm) for the District Championship. I don't know if that was the last time or not, but I do know it has been a while. Although Highlands was not part of the District back then.

 

I think you might be thinking 1984 or 85'. Although the hard throwing lefthanded Tarvin was unreal so he may have been starting during his Frosh year.

Good job Coach Sanders and boys-truly a "small" school-will be rooting for you to go far!

I think you might be thinking 1984 or 85'. Although the hard throwing lefthanded Tarvin was unreal so he may have been starting during his Frosh year.

 

It was 1983, Bellevue's Steve Hatch hit a 2 run home run in the bottom of the 7th inning to beat then #2 New Cath 3-2. Bellevue then played Newport in the Championship (Tarvin vs. Stamm).

 

Tarvin was either a Frosh or Soph that year, but had a very productive next 2 years at Bellevue who I think was back in the Regions those years.

Congrats Bellevue-keep showing folks that worry about the classes, that it really doesn't matter much if you don't let it.

The fly ball to RF with 2 outs was anything but routine -- I was 20' away from it. Not only was the RF heading toward a narrow foul territory (15' from foul line to fence), this is also the area where the mound to warm up is located. As such, RF was negotiating the foul line, the mound and the fence while trying to make the catch. The ball did bounce off the edge of his glove, but it would've been a very good catch if he had made it.

 

Routine or very good catch, doesnt really matter, lost opportunity for an out. The game of baseball is played on outs allowed. In HS 7 inn a typical game is 21 outs. Anymore and it spells trouble especially when these types of games are played. If it touched the end of his glove as you suggest then it should be caught, just like in football if the ball touches the receivers fingers then it should be caught. JMO and I am certain the same opinion of the HHS coaches.

Either way great win for the Bellevue program and the matchup of two much, much smaller programs in Bell and Npt. Good luck to both teams in the Region.