Knights Late Rally Falls a Run Short against Express

The Marietta Knights played perhaps their most complete game of the season Monday night but fell 1 run short in a 9-8 loss to the Kennesaw Express at Larry Bell Park. The hard hitting Express came in riding high from their recent USSSA Phiten Challenge Tournament Championship. The Knights trailed 9-2 going into their final at bat but exploded for 6 runs to make it a 9-8 game forcing the Express to bring back their starting pitcher to stop the rally 1 run short. Marietta got another great pitching performance from Robby Bryan who went the distance and only allowed 3 earned runs to go along with 3 strikeouts and 0 walks. For the 2nd game in a row the Knights' defense was outstanding. Garrett Wells got things started with 2 long assists from 3B, each of which Presley Field closed with a big stretch and scoop. Gil Hastings was automatic once again in RF which was key against Kennesaw's big bats. Gil hauled in deep fly balls in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd innings. 

 

The Defensive Play of the Game came with 2 outs in the 4th and a runner on second. The Express hit a hard grounder headed for LF but Jack Rinehimer ranged to his right and made the backhand from his SS position. Knowing that he didn't have a chance at the batter and with his momentum carrying him towards 3B, Jack calmly fired to Garrett who laid the tag on the runner to end the inning. Great play athletically and mentally



Gil Hastings singled and had another huge game
in RF. In a strange turn of events, Gil was not
hit by a pitch in the game.

The Knights also had an unconventional double play via an Infield Fly. With one out and runners on 1st and 2nd Kennesaw hit a high flyball between P and 3B. The ump immediately called IF and the batter was out. But when Marietta let the ball drop, the Express runners took off even though the force was off. Coach Rob started shouting 1, 2 and 3 indiscriminantly. Luckily, Coach Kurt calmly told JD to tag both runners that were now standing on 2B and the inning was over. Coach Rob thinks this was a really great play but he's not certain because he's still not quite sure what happened.

JD Rinehimer and Hunter Williamson led the offense each going 2 for 3. JD scored twice and knocked in 2 while Hunter had 4 RBI's including the big 2 run double in the 5th that made it a 1 run game. In all 6 different Knights scored. It was a great effort by the Knights against a very strong Kennesaw Express ball club. The Knights' coaching staff is very pleased that the boys are playing well going into the NABL tournament this weekend.

Hunter Williamson was 2 for 3 with a Double and 4 RBI's