This was a Hart team with a different attitude that took the field at Anaheim Canyon today as compared with the one on Saturday that lost 15-7, the most runs scored against Hart since 1985. Tyler Fick now 4-0 was the starting pitcher for Hart. Hart was the Home Team against Canyon\Anaheim so the Comanches batted first. Leadoff batter Brian Dunn led off with a single. After a strikeout, Dunn stole 2nd and 3rd. Then on a swinging strike 3, the ball bounded away from catcher Matt Sreden who recovered and got the runner at first, but Dunn scored, manufacturing a run all by himself.

The 1-0 lead didn't last long. Shane Carlson who has been on fire all season, led off with a ringing double down the left field line. Ryan Peterson sacrificed Carlson to 3rd. Ryan Gagnon hit a "gapper" deep to left center for a double scoring Carlson. After a strikeout, Matt Sreden hit one up the middle for a single scoring Gagnon. Hart led after 1 inning 2-1. Hart made it 3-1 in the 2nd. Donny Williams walked, took 2nd on a sacrifice by Kevin Baker. With 2 out Ryan Pettersen lashed a double deep down the left field line scoring Williams.

In the 4th, Kevin Baker "scalded" a line drive to center that took a wicked bounce over the center fielders head and bounced all the way to the 390 sign in straight away center. By the time they got the ball in towards the infield Kevin had crossed the plate with an inside the park homer. The first homer of his varsity career. Meantime Tyler Fick was cruising along. Canyon batters were having trouble hitting him. 3 times they struck out on nasty pitches in the dirt that bounced away from the catcher Matt Sreden, but in each case Sreden was able to record the out at first. A single by Davis Seiler leading off the 3rd, got him to 3rd on a sacrifice and a wild pitch, but Tyler got a pair of strikeouts to strand him. In the 5th, Tyler Walker lead off with a double, took 3rd on a fielders choice, but Tyler got a strikeout and a comerbacker to end the threat.

With Hart leading 4-1 going into the 6th, the Comanches got a lead off walk by Grant Green. After a strikeout and a lazy fly to left. Tyler faced catcher Mike Brezden a well built 6'2, 170 pounder who struck out his previous 2 times, and quickly got 2 strikes on him. But Brezden then hit a line shot over the wall into East Santa Ana Canyon Road, and the Hart lead was cut to 4-3.

Hart answered back in the bottom of the 6th. With 1 out Donny Williams doubled in the right center field gap. Kevin Baker sacrificed pinch runner Chris Manent to 3rd. Shane Carlson then lined a booming triple over the center fielders head, and Hart had one of the runs back, as Hart now led 5-3.

In the top of the 7th, Donny Williams relieved Tyler Fick and struck out the first batter David Seiler. He then hit the next batter Ryan Haas. Brian Dunn hit an easy fly to left, but Kenny Lusk hit a "dunker single" to right, and the lead run was at the plate. Grant Green then hit a sharp grounder to short gobbled up by Shane Carlson who won a race to the bag to force Lusk, and Hart had a win in the bag. Final Score: Hart 5 - Canyon\Anaheim 3 Hart is now 9-2-1.

Hart had 9 hits, 6 for extra bases (4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer). Shane Carlson was 2 for 4 with a double, and triple. 1 RBI. Shane now has 3 triples on the year. Kevin Baker was 1 for 1, the homer, 1 RBI and 2 sacrifices. Ryan Pettersen was 2 for 3 with a double, 1 RBI Ryan Gagnon was 1 for 3, a double and 1 RBI. Matt Sreden was 2 for 2 with a walk, 1 RBI Donny Williams was 1 for 2, 1 double and a walk. Tyler Fick now 4-0 gave up 3 runs, 2 Earned. He Struck out 8 in 6 innings, walked 1 and hit a batter. Donny Williams got the Save, his 2nd, he struck out 1, gave up 1 hit, and a hit batter.

Hart plays Pleasure Ridge Park, Kentucky at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the conclusion of pool play in the Calibur Motors Tournamnet where all 4 teams in the pool are currently tied at 1-1.

Narrative courtesy of Mike Gaber.