Renegades Take 2 Out of 3 At Punishers Friendly On 4/27

The team played short-handed at the Artesia Punishers friendly (we had several players either out sick or playing soccer). On the positive side, everyone got lots of playing time and we took 2 out of 3 games.

In the first game against the Punishers, we came up short in a 9-8 game that was called at the drop-dead time limit with our squad threatening with bases loaded and only 1 out. Unfortunately we got behind due to some shaky defense early in the game and waited a little too long to start our comeback. The take-home lesson from this game was to not give our opponents extra outs on defense. Tiffany (3 for 3) and Rachel (2 for 3) had good games at the plate.

Against Invasion, we jumped out to an early lead and won 7-4. Lauren H pitched a good game and scattered 5 hits. On offense, Rachel was 2 for 3 (including a home run) and Tiffany was 2 for 3. Jessie had a nice assist in left by throwing a strike to home to cut down a runner, and Naomi finished up her 2nd game behind the plate in brutal heat. This was a good team win.

In the third game against SoCal Mirage, our offense took charge and we banged out 14 hits, including 2 home runs and 3 triples. Tiffany threw really well and gave up no hits in a game called by mercy rule (19-0). Offensive stars included Lauren H (3 for 3), Jessie (2 for 3), Brianna (2 for 3), and Lauren P (2 for 3).

The team continues to show improvement and our pitching has been consistent. We've been talking a lot to our pitchers and catchers about the importance of getting ahead in the count. The coaches have worked up our pitching stats since the beginning of April and they drive home the point about working ahead when pitching. Over the past 5 weeks (19 games), when our pitchers got ahead in the count, we got an out 82% of the time. When our pitchers got behind in the count, we got an out only 38% of the time. We've given our pitchers (and catchers) something to think about!

Keep working hard Renegades -- our record over the last 5 weeks is 15-4.

Coach Dan

Renegades Take 2 out of 3 at Desperados Friendly On 4/20

The team played pretty well this past weekend at the Desperados friendly. Our first game was a 4-1 victory over Desperados, with a nice pitching performance by Amanda and some timely hitting from Tiffany.

Our second game was a tough loss to Irvine Sting (Thomas) 5-4. This game was a good lesson for our players, because we jumped out to an early 4-1 lead on singles by Tiffany and Naomi, followed by a 2-run home run by Sasha. However, after that we relaxed and got satisfied with the 4-1 lead and Sting crept back in, a run here and a run there, and they went ahead in their last at-bat. The last inning was also a good reminder about being alert on the bases and the importance of getting bunts down to move runners along with less than 2 outs.

Our third game was a 6-0 shutout of Bomb Squad. Tiffany again led the hitting with a couple of line shots and Lauren H. came through with a great pitching performance with a 2-hit shutout.

All in all, a good performance in this friendly. The team is playing with more focus recently and they're starting to develop their own identity as a team. Over the last month the team is 13-3. The coaches reminded all the players to continue to work hard in practice and good things will happen! Good job Renegades!

Coach Dan