Last-Game Recap

August 30, 2009: BarnCats versus The Flames

The BarnCats played their third game of the season (and second in one week) against the Flames at Langley HS on August 30. The BarnCats got off to a good start with a 2-0 lead, although we left bases loaded. After two innings, the BarnCats led 7-0. Lisa McCarron made an excellent play at third base, prompting the quote of the game by Robin Gelman: “She sucked it up like a hoova’.” The Flames answered with a great defensive inning. But the BarnCats played excellent defense as well with Lisa Scott making a catch in deep left foul territory. The BarnCats ended the third inning with a strikeout by Gelman and a line drive caught by McCarron only allowing the Flames one run.

After the BarnCats added a run in the top of the fourth inning, Rachel Laufer (at shortstop) threw to Debbie Hoffheimer at first base for the first out. McCarron caught a foul ball at the fence by third and Laufer caught a high pop fly at shortstop.

Susan McCarthy came in to pitch in the bottom of the fourth and got out of the inning with only 5 pitches.

The BarnCats failed to score in the top of the fifth. On defense in the bottom of the fifth, Laufer made a ground out at shortstop throwing to Gelman at first base. Catcher Gaby Richeimer picked off a runner trying to steal second. The BarnCats ended the inning with another ground out to Laufer at shortstop. After two innings, pitcher, McCarthy had only thrown 12 pitches.

The BarnCats scored another run in the top of the sixth when Laufer stole second and, when the throw went into centerfield, Richeimer scored from third. Della Romano came in to pitch in the bottom of the sixth and also started the seventh inning. The Flames scored 3 in the bottom of the sixth. McCarron caught a pop fly to third base. The Flames rallied back and scored 3 runs. Gelman came in to pitch again and struck out a batter and the game ended with a force out at third base to McCarron. The final score was 9-7.

Although the BarnCats have many excellent base runners, including Laufer and Romano, McCarron shined today on the bases.

August 26, 2009: BarnCats versus The Flames

The BarnCats faced the Virginia Flames for the second time this season on August 26 at Nike Park. As always, the game was a close one at first. Della Romano started pitching for the BarnCats. In the first inning, Gaby Richeimer hit a rope off the Flames’ pitcher, Rosie Anderson, but it was caught in centerfield. Rachel Laufer and Romano manufactured the BarnCats’ first run. Diane Sweeney hit a bomb into left center. After two innings the score was 1-0, BarnCats.

The defense played solidly with few errors. In the top of the fourth inning, Flame Jen Hammond hit a double to right centerfield to score the Flames’ first run, tying the game at 1-1. The Flames’ continued to be hot and they brought the score up to 4-1, Flames.

On an attempted safety squeeze, Sue Cross threw down to Laufer, at third base, to get the runner out. The BarnCats’ defense closed down the Flames in the fourth inning with a pop-up to Sweeney at second base. Sweeney led off the fifth inning with a line drive to the outfield. The BarnCats loaded the bases, but were unable to score any runs.

Laufer came in to pitch in the sixth inning. Kelly Spong turned a base hit into a ground out with a swift throw to Debbie Hoffheimer at first base. The Flames had a big seventh inning and won the game 11-5.

The quote of the game goes to Lisa Scott. With bases loaded and a full count she said, “If the pitch is not good, it’s a run. If it is good, it’s two runs.”

August 23, 2009: BarnCats versus The Fury

The BarnCats played the Fury in the second game of a doubleheader on August 23, 2009 at Richard Montgomery High School. Robin Gelman started the game pitching and pitched all 5 innings. BarnCats’ bats started out strong blasting 3 hits and scoring 5 runs in the first inning with a little help from a weak Fury defense. Defensively in the first inning, Gaby Richeimer made a great catch over her head in centerfield. Della Romano made a great defensive play at third base with runners on first and third when she caught the runner on third in a rundown.

In the second inning, Rachel Laufer slammed a beautiful single to earn an RBI. The second inning ended with a score of 7-0, BarnCats.

The BarnCats scored 5 runs again in the third inning on 4 hits. Debbie Hoffheimer hit a rope to right centerfield. Laufer made excellent contact again driving in her fourth RBI of the game (with a total of 7 RBIs for the day).

In the fourth inning, Emily Brundage’s bat lit up and she hit a shot to the outfield and Hoffheimer got her second monster line drive to the outfield. The BarnCats scored only one run for 3 hits. Defensively, Gelman's pitching was solid and the defense behind her was strong. Laufer got a runner forced out at second base with a throw from centerfield.

Richeimer got hit by pitches three times in today’s game.

Although Fury shortstop, Cody Dudley, hit two doubles and kept BarnCat Lisa Scott on her toes in leftfield, it was not enough to keep the BarnCats from ending the game by mercy rule with a 13-3 victory.

The quote of the game came from the home plate umpire when Richeimer stepped out too far in the on deck batter’s circle and the umpire said, “Can you move back? I don’t want you to get hit.”

 

August 23, 2009: BarnCats versus The Boxers

The BarnCats started a doubleheader on August 23, 2009 with a win. They beat the Boxers 11-8. Susan McCarthy pitched 2 2/3 innings and Rachel Laufer relieved her, pitching 3 full innings. Della Romano pitched the last 1 1/3 innings, shutting the game down. The BarnCat energy was high despite the heat and the consistent fielding at shortstop by Lisa McCarron added to the day’s enthusiasm. Other highlights included a 6-4-3 double play involving McCarron, Diane Sweeney and Emily Brundage. Romano picked a runner off second with a throw to McCarron at shortstop. Laufer went 3 for 3 with a walk. Robin Gelman’s bat has been on fire and this game was no exception. Gelman went 2 for 3 with a walk. McCarron scored 3 runs. Catcher, Sue Cross, caught a runner stealing second. The BarnCats refused to rest and carried the excitement into the second game of their doubleheader.

 

August 15, 2009: BarnCats versus The Blues

The BarnCats bested the Blues on August 15, 2009 at Bachman. The game was an offensive battle. The first inning took an hour and a half and the score was 6-3, BarnCats. Susan McCarthy pitched 2 2/3 innings and Rachel Laufer relieved her for the last 4 1/3 innings. Some offensive highlights were that Robin Gelman went 5 for 5 and that Lisa McCarron stole home off Blues catcher Joanne Kruger. The game ended with a score of 21-15.

 

August 9, 2009: BarnCats versus The Fury

The BarnCats lost to the Virginia Fury on August 9, 2009 at Richard Montgomery High School. Although the BarnCats kept the game close, the Fury pulled out an 8-4 win. Stephanie Ciulla made a typically impressive showing as the Fury pitcher. The BarnCats only got 5 hits off the veteran pitcher. Rachel Laufer earned 3 base hits out of 4 at bats and Sue Cross and Robin Gelman each got a base hit. Ciulla walked 5 batters and BarnCat Lisa Hancock walked twice. Four players were hit by pitches: Debbie Hoffheimer, Lisa McCarron, Colleen Shepherd and Gaby Richeimer was hit twice.

 

August 5, 2009: BarnCats versus The Flames

The BarnCats played their first night game under the Langley High School lights on August 5 and earned their first loss of the season to the undefeated Virginia Flames.

The BarnCats kept the game close (4-2 Flames) for 5 innings by scraping out 2 "small-ball" runs against seasoned Flames pitcher, Rosie Anderson, who was having a good night and in spite of some defensive lapses.

The BarnCats only had 2 singles, 1 each from Lisa Scott and Rachel Laufer.

BarnCat pitchers were Susan McCarthy and Robin Gelman. Starter McCarthy pitched 5 innings, walked 1, struck out 1 and gave up 4 runs, 2 earned. She gave up 9 hits, 3 to the hot bat of Flame Laura Brenneman.

The BarnCats are only the second team this season to take the Flames past five innings.

 

July 19, 2009: BarnCats versus The Boxers

The big story of today's game against the Boxers was told on the mound as Robin Gelman threw 90 pitches, 60 for strikes for a 67% strike ratio. Gelman only gave up 5 hits but 3 of them occurred in the 3rd inning when the Boxers scored their 2 runs. After that, it was solid containment in which the last four innings Gelman had to throw only 11.5 pitches per inning.

BarnCats' hitting stars for today were Rachel Laufer, Lisa McCarron and Gaby Richeimer each of whom chipped in with two hits. Emily Brundage got her first hit as a BarnCat and she showed good power with a long foul ball down the left field line just prior to the hit. Kelly Spong swung the bat extremely well, solidly connecting in 3 of her 4 at bats with one hit.

The long hit of the day was supplied by Diane Sweeney who hit the ball over the head of the Boxer's left fielder Brenda Hine for a triple and scored on an interferrance play by Brenda.

The defensive play of the game was Lisa McCarron's stop of a rocket shot hit by A. Grant on a ball that hit the turf and then veered strongly to McCarron's left. Lisa threw to 1B to complete the out. The final score was BarnCats 5, Boxers 2.

 

July 10, 2009: BarnCats versus The Blues

It was a hot day at Richard Montgomery High School on July 12 when the BarnCats beat the Blues 13-1 in five innings. Susan McCarthy pitched all five innings, throwing only 59 pitches. Defensively, the BarnCats played well, making no errors. Lisa McCarron and Della Romano made strong plays at shortstop and third base. Gaby Richeimer made several excellent catches in centerfield.

The BarnCats scored 13 runs on 8 hits. Lisa Hancock and McCarthy both got base hits. Romano, Robin Gelman and Lisa Scott each got 2 base hits, including doubles by Gelman and Romano. Gelman's double was the longest blast of the season so far. Romano led the team with 4 RBIs. Gelman and Scott each earned 2 RBIs.

 

June 28, 2009: BarnCats versus The Fury

BarnCats beat the Fury in their second victory of the season on Sunday, June 28, at Marshall High School. Della Romano took the mound and struck out 10 batters in the 5 innings that she pitched. The BarnCats' defense was strong with Romano showing leadership on the mound. She made a stellar double play, catching an infield fly and then throwing out the runner on first. Lisa McCarron made an outstanding 6-3 play at shortstop. Gaby Richeimer made a breath-taking Willie Mays-style catch in right centerfield. Emily Brundage made her debut with the BarnCats and stunned the crowd with her incredible stretches at first base. Lisa Scott made a perfect throw from rightfield to gun down a runner at second base.

Sue Cross, McCarron, Richeimer and Robin Gelman showed strong bats. Gelman and McCarron each had 3 RBIs. Cross went 2 for 3 and Richeimer went 4 for 5. With an 8-1 BarnCat lead over the Fury, rain threatened in the bottom of the 5th inning. In the same inning, Gelman took the mound and finished the game with an 9-2 win.

 

June 13, 2009: BarnCats versus Boxers

On Saturday, June 13, the BarnCats finally played their season opener and overpowered the Boxers 13-4 at Martin Luther King Park. Although the defense was not its best, there were many offensive highlights. Several of the BarnCats’ batters got their batting averages off to a great start.

Sue Cross, our 2008 batting champion, had two base hits. Gaby Richeimer, in her deput with the Barncats, hit three hits and Diane Sweeney hit 1.000 with four hits. Robin Gelman and Kelly Spong both hit doubles that were deep fly balls to the outfield gap. Della Romano led the team in RBIs with three.

Our pitchers, Susan McCarthy , Romano and Gelman, held the Boxers to only four runs, and Gelman, our closer, was spectacular.