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Great game at Cosby today. Packed stands, well played game all the way to the end. In fact there was really only one miscue in the game, JR made it, and that broke a tie game open for Cosby to win.

It'd been a while since I'd been there and I'd forgotten how much deeper the fences are at Cosby than most places. 324' down the lines and 374' to center. That came into play as both teams hit some deep shots that would've been homers at most fields, that went for outs or doubles instead today. But it worked both ways, so I don't know that it affected the outcome.

JR broke on top when Mac Caples drove a deep RBI double to left center in the top of the 1st. That ball likely would've cleared the fences at JR's home field, but in this case it was only good for one run. From there, Garrett Birnbaum settled in and didn't give up anything more until Collin Lawless lined a 2-out RBI single in the 5th to make it 2-1.

I forget how Cosby got its first run, around the 3d inning. Jack Roberts was in hot water off and on all day but for the most part wriggled out of it.

Cosby relievers Carpenter and -- help me somebody, the guy who finished was a freshman lefty who really showed decent stuff and tremendous poise for a freshman in closing out a W -- let nothing in over the last 2+ innings. Cosby fielding was flawless.

Bottom of 6th, Christian Hamlett led off with a shot to CF that everyone thought was gone, but Michael Trentham made a leaping catch to reel it in. I don't think it would've cleared the fence after all, but had it bounced free, probably good for a triple. But that didn't let Roberts escape. Ultimately he had 1st & 3rd with 2 outs, got a soft grounder to right of SS, SS got a late jump on the ball -- didn't see it off the bat or something -- and ended up having to eat it while the tying run scored. After several fouls to heighten the tension, the next batter (need some help from others as to who did what here) hit a soft grounder that was fielded cleanly, the home crowd sighed with disappointment, but then the ball was thrown away to let 2 runs come across.

The freshman lefty closed it out from there and Cosby had the win simply by being the team that played completely flawless baseball on the day.

Great game to watch, if you weren't there, sorry you missed it! Cosby is still a young school but the friendly rivalry with James River continues to produce games worth making the time to go see. Probably 2, maybe even 3 more matchups coming between these two this season.
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Yes a great game. Midlo, I'll try to fill in some of the details.

Cosby scored their first run in the 2nd inning. Garret Birnbaum lead off with a walk. James Sink followed with a bunt down the first base line moving Birnbaum over to 2nd. Michael Carpenter hit the next pitch off the right field wall and Birnbaum scored. Carpenter was left stranded at 2nd.

The third pitcher for Cosby was left handed freshman Hunter Williams who had moved over from first base. Williams was the eventual wining pitcher. From what I heard replacing Carpenter was a situational move to face the lefty dominant part of the JR batting lineup.

In the Cosby half of the sixth Hamlett lead off the inning with the shot to dead center that Trentham caught of the wall. As I have seen him do many times, Trentham got a great jump on contact and timed his leap perfectly. Williams followed with a pop up deep to the second baseman. Then Cosby found a little two out thunder. Luke Lowry walked. Tim Perry singled to right and Lowry kept rolling around 2nd and ended up at third. Then it was Birnbaum with the soft ground ball in the hole for an infield single. Lowry scored and Perry moved to 2nd. The game is now tied 2-2. James Sink hit the soft roller and as Midlo described correctly brought a moan from the home crowd; but, the throw was in the dirt and both Perry and Birnbaum scored. Cosby moans turned to cheers. Evan Plumley followed with a single to right. Kirby then came in for relief of Roberts and got a strike out to end the inning.

Two fine teams played a tense game in front of a great crowd. I am sure both squads can't wait for their next matchup.
i managed to get there and I am sure glad I did.
The atmosphere was awesome and it was as good a high school game as you will see

I think coming in Cosby was the clear underdog but you could tell nobody told any
of their players that.

They seem to have a core of leadership on the field that is battle tested as a part of last years Regional Championship team.

Hope I get to see the next game these two play.
"The third pitcher for Cosby was left handed freshman Hunter Williams who had moved over from first base. "

Cosby is always loaded, even backlogged, with talent.

For any kid to start as a freshman, that tells you something. To start at first base -- usually a position where any number of big slugger types are vying to play -- tells you a lot.

And then the way the kid came in to a one-run game for first place in the district and was completely in charge ....

I have a feeling we may be hearing more about this kid the next few years.

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