Cissel Saxon Rallies Late But Fall 10-6
Damascus Post 171 prevailed 10-6, in yesterday’s American League action. The loss for Cissel Saxon drops them to 8-5 in summer play.
Photo: Jonathan Bruck / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
In the fourth inning, Damascus' designated hitter Osborne hit a two-RBI triple with two outs putting Damascus up by five.
Photo: Jonathan Bruck / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Frankie Poulos impacted the game from the mound. Despite his efforts, Cissel Saxon couldn't rally to defeat Damascus.
Photo: Jonathan Bruck / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
WHEATON, MD - Damascus survived a sixth and seventh inning rally by Cissel Saxon to prevail, 10-6, in yesterday's American League action. The loss drops Cissel Saxon to 8-5 in summer play.
Manager Scott Dunlap told his players, "At no point of the game we're we out of it."
Cissel Saxon trailed 7-3 going into the bottom of the sixth but took a run back when Brady Bassford scored to bring Cissel Saxon within three. Cissel Saxon might have done more damage if Damascus' man at the hot corner had not made a sliding catch on a ball hit by Taylor Miller to record the first out.
Cissel Saxon also missed an opportunity when Frankie Poulos struck out with runners on and two outs to end the sixth. Poulos said he went down on a good pitch.
In the bottom of the seventh, RJ Hackley and Ricky LaSota scored. Hackley was running for Brandon Grove, who left the game with a minor injury after doubling to lead off the inning. The runs would have brought Cissel Saxon within one, but Damascus added three insurance runs in the top of the frame off of Taylor Miller.
Dunlap was not disappointed in Miller's outing. He encouraged his hurlers to throw more strikes but recognized that players who rarely pitch were being used as pitchers and singled out Miller saying "... especially Taylor Miller, he's out there 'Ks' [the] first guy he faces. Great job, great job! He's out there playing his guts out."
Although Cissel Saxon fell behind 2-0 early, the day looked promising for them after Frankie Poulos drew a walk in the top of the first inning after Charles Brown struck out leading off for Cissel Saxon. Poulos stole second and later third. He went home on a throwing error by the catcher, creating a run all by himself.
Poulos said his manager had given him a green light to run and he was "just trying to get the run in."
Another run scored in an unconventional manner in the bottom of the fifth when Poulos accounted for Cissel Saxon's third run. He struck out, but Brown took home on the passed ball. Brown gave himself the opportunity by stealing third after he doubled.
Poulos impacted the game from the mound. Down 2-1, he came in with runners on first and second with no outs in the second. A runner scored on a throwing error after a sacrifice bunt and Damascus brought another runner home afterwards, but Cissel Saxon was able to limit the damage.
Cissel Saxon did not allow a run in the third despite a threat. In the fourth, Damascus' designated hitter Osborne hit a two-RBI triple with two outs putting Damascus up by five. Poulos said, "I left it up and he got wood on it."
Poulos tried to implement his manager's strategy of throwing strikes twice referencing it when discussing his pitching strategy. First he said that he wanted to "throw strikes and let defense make the plays." Later he reiterated that he tried to "throw strikes and do work. "
Paul Graves answered back for Cissel Saxon with a homerun and Cissel Saxon railed in the sixth and seventh but fell.
Cissel Saxon is scheduled to play Sandy Spring at Shirley Povich Field - Cabin John #1, at 5:30 tonight.
