This was a game that I never thought would be played. It was cold and drizzly throughout. However the Burroughs field was playable all day. The teams took no infield before the game and it started 15 minutes early since 1 ump was there already. The other Ump showed up in time for a 3:15PM start, and the game was in the 2nd inning.

Neither team scored through the first 3 innings. Tyler Fick was definitely on his game. He mowed down the first 7 batters, 4 by strikeouts, before giving up a long double to opposing pitcher Ian Disiere. A pinch runner for Disiere was promptly picked off second by Fick. Tyler gave up another double, by Bryan Jackson in the 4th. He pitched 6 solid innings giving up 2 hits, striking out 7, allowing NO walks.

In the bottom of the 7th with Hart leading 7-0, Freshman Jason Rehhaut was brought in to finish up. He gave up a run on 2 walks a hit and an error.

The Hart batters who were held to only 5 singles last Tuesday, were hitting the ball hard today, but didn't score until the 4th. Ryan Gagnon led off with a long triple to center. After a strikeout, Matt Sreden hit a sacrifice fly to left center. The Burroughs coaches complained long and loud that Gagnon left 3rd too soon, and "Big Show" Jody Breeden (an old friend of mine) was kicked out of the game.

With 2 out and none on, Hart then scored 5 runs in the inning as the drizzle turned into rain. Tyler Fick walked, Bryan Charnock singled Fick to 3rd. Donny Williams walked loading the bases. Andrew Briggs hit a little popup just behind the mound and 3 players from Burroughs each thought the other was going to catch it. Fick scored easily. Finally the shortstop picked up the ball and threw to first much too late, and Charnock running all the way from 2nd, made a great slide touching the plate with his hand for a 2 RBI single by Briggs. Matt Valaika then walked loading the bases. Shane Carlson beat out an infield single scoring Williams. Ryan Gagnon up for the 2nd time in the inning then lashed a 2 run single to right scoring Briggs and Valaika.

In the top of the 5th, Ian Disiere slipped on the now slick mound and hurt his ankle. Disiere was removed from the game. Special drying soil was spread around the mound and a new pitcher Bryan Jackson came in to pitch. The rain let up to a drizzle again. Matt Sreden singled. Jake Supowit ran for Sreden. With 1 out Charnock singled Supowit to 2nd. Donny Williams walked loading the bases. Ryan Petersen ran for Williams. Kevin Baker walked forcing in Supowit, making the score 7-0. A double play snuffed the chance for another big inning.

Hart improved their record to 5-1-1 (1-1) in the Foothill League. Burroughs fell to 4-3, (0-2) in the Foothill League. Since 1987, Hart has played Burroughs 56 times. 1 game was in a Babe Herman tournament in 1992. Hart is 47-8-1 in those 56 games.

Hart next plays Burbank on Tuesday March 22, 2005 at Hart at 3:15PM.

Narrative courtesy of Mike Gaber.