On a lovely spring afternoon Tuesday, the Martha’s Vineyard Little League was in full form at a AAA minors showdown in which the Marlins topped the Reds 10-5.
The 3-2 Marlins came off a Saturday loss against the Rays, 14-12, and the 3-2 Reds came off a Mother’s Day smackdown of the Blue Jays, 21-11.
The Marlins were up first, and after an initial walk by Reds starting pitcher Parker Blake, Marlin Wyatt Nicholson had a big hit, but it was deftly caught by the Reds’ Tristan Scott at shortstop. Parker then struck out Lucas Sherman, and caught a big pop-up by Marlin Gunner Graham for the third out.
In the second inning, Reds Parker Blake walked four batters and struck out two. The Marlins scored a run, with one of the walks forcing a run home. Parker showed mental toughness, and was able to hold bases loaded to only one run.
Both teams put in new pitchers in the third inning, Hardy Eville for the Reds and Faith Thigpen for the Marlins. Hardy pitched solidly, and Faith was all business on the mound, with her black anti-reflective streaks under her eyes and very apparent field awareness.
Both teams scored four runs in the third inning. At the top of the inning, Marlin Christian Turner hit a big double that brought home two runs, making the score 6-0 Marlins. With the Reds at bat, dual lefties Henry Redfield and Devonne Saunders both walked, followed by Hardy’s solid base hit which brought Devonne home, making it 6-1 Marlins with one out.
One Red struck out, but then senior team member Adam Miller had a huge hit well into the outfield, giving himself a double and bringing two runners home, and bettering the Reds position to 6-3. Reds Gordon Prescott was then up at bat, and took first base after getting hit with a pitch. Gordon and Adam stole second and third, respectively, and Adam made it home before the third out, bringing the score to 6-4 Marlins.
Things were getting exciting at the top of the fourth, with Reds parents calling out for a big comeback rally. The game crept away a bit more from the Reds, however, when the Marlins quickly got to bases loaded. Under pressure, Reds pitcher Hardy Eville struck out a Marlin, but then Lucas Sherman got a big double and brought three runs in, making the Marlin lead 9-4.
Bottom of the fourth was a tough one for the Reds, with one huge hit by Parker Blake combined with three strikeouts by Faith Thigpen.
Top of the fifth brought Adam Miller to the mound for the Reds, and he kept the Marlins to no runs for their turn at bat.
Bottom of the fifth, Reds were up and were at the top of their lineup. Marlins put Eamon Savard on the mound, Head Coach Steve Savard’s son, and he had good speed over the plate with two quick Reds strikeouts. Adam Miller had another big hit and brought Hardy home, making it 9-5 Marlins.
In the sixth and final inning, Marlins’ Eamon hit a base hit and brought Wyatt Nicholson home, edging the Marlins further up 10-5, which was the final score. After Eamon’s hit, Adam Miller had three strikeouts in a row, totally shutting down the Marlins. Adam raised his arms happily, knowing he had just achieved a personal victory.
“It was a great game,” said Marlins Coach Savard. “I thought we left a lot of runs on the bases early, which was kind of frustrating, but really it was a game about good pitching. Adam [Miller, of the Reds] is quite a pitcher.”
Mr. Savard described the big Marlin plays of the game: “Christen [Turner[ getting the two-RBI single in the third inning was big, and Faith [Thigpen], when she was on the mound, made a play at home and it was a really heads-up play,” said Mr. Savard. “She sort of looked him over, looked away, and tricked him into running home. Lucas [Sherman] had a big three-run double, as well.”
The Reds take on the Marlins in a rematch 4 pm this Saturday, May 16, at Manter Field in West Tisbury.