[Kevin T.]

Lost yesterday's game 5-3. Had a 3-2 lead going into the 6th, but gave up 3 in the bottom half to blow it. Went 1 for 3 with a pop-up off a jamjob, ground out to first, and single to center.

The team finally broke through today with a 13-4 win. Our 6 hitter hit 2 home runs in a single inning and our #2 and #3 guys added HRs of their own. I went 1 for 3 with an RBI. RBI double my first at bat, walk my second at bat, struck out swinging in my 3rd at bat, and popped up to second in my last at bat. I fouled a pitch off my foot during my 2nd at bat which was annoying but not that bad. Then, stealing 2nd base, I got nailed in the back with the throw. It wasn't that hard of a throw, but it hit me right on the bone toward the top of my shoulder blade. It hurt like crazy for the rest of the game and obviously affected everything. I didn't try it out throwing the ball hard; I didn't have to in the game and I actually threw the warm up ground balls right handed. It really hurt when I swung the bat too. I can't use it as an excuse for the strikeout, as I just swung at two bad pitches. On the last at bat, my left hand just flew off the bat as soon as I made contact because it hurt. Oh well, ice tonight and take it easy on the shoulder during practice tomorrow. Hopefully, it'll be less of a problem for the game on Saturday.

I've been out of it the past 2 games. I've gone 1 for 3 in both games, which isn't that bad, but I haven't hit the ball well and my at bats haven't been high quality at bats. My two hits have been a soft liner to center and a pop up double that fell in in left. The other times, I have been jammed or chased bad pitches. Facing a very very slow pitcher today really threw off my timing and I never once was comfortable in the box. Yesterday, I stupidly stood way too close to the plate and got jammed on an inside pitch my first at bat. Had to battle with two strikes in my second at bat and ending up fighting off a curveball down to first base. Sometimes it's a curse being able to hit almost any pitch, no matter where it's pitched. While most kids foul off those types of pitches, I'm the guy who puts them into play. Sometimes it works out well and finds a place to land. Other times, it doesn't. I'd rather take my chances on the hits falling in.

I have some work to do in the cage tomorrow. I've got to find that comfort again in the box and get back to what I've been able to do all season long. Hopefully the one coach will be there tomorrow so we can work on it together. If not, I'll find a way.

We're facing a very good team on Saturday, but we know we're capable of being a very good team ourselves. Of our 7 losses, 4 are by 1 run and 2 are by 2 runs. Other than one game, we've played with the top teams in the area and have often held a lead. Hopefully today springs us off on a good run.