Technical difficulties with the lights in right-centerfield delayed the start of the Regional Quarterfinals for roughly 2 hours; however, it was decided that the game would be played without full illumination of the outfield. This obstacle had absolutely no effect on the Rattler outfielders, “Big Mike” Michael Yzaguirre in CF and Isaiah Robledo in RF. The two collected 5 put-outs each with flawless athleticism. Left fielder, Caden Crofts, only had one ball sent his way as the Unicorns’ offense was unable to pull any pitches to LF. The light situation was the beginning of an unlucky string of events that contributed to the defeat along with the inability to get runs across the plate.
The pitching was phenomenal on both sides. Darden Wetherell started on the bump for Reagan and held his composure as the plate umpire refused to call the outside and high ends of the zone. Wetherell persisted and worked hard to allow his defense to shine. Each time the Unicorns had some momentum going with runners on base, Wetherell dug deep and landed pitches that were hit into outs. Wetherell pitched the complete game, facing 23 batters in 6 innings. He recorded 18 outs, striking out 2 and walking 1. He gave up 4 hits and 2 earned runs.
The Rattlers’ defense was nearly flawless and made some amazing plays. The outfield saved multiple runs and Caleb Crider, Jeter Battles, and Caden Roy contributed in the infield. Crider fielded a wicked-hard ground ball at third base in the bottom of the 2nd, completing the throw to Roy at first base, and Battles snagged 2 pop-ups at SS, completing one, over his shoulder on the run into left center. With 1 out and a runner on first, Roy caught the runner off the bag, making the double play on a line drive to first to end the 5th inning.
Despite out-hitting the Unicorns 8-4, the Rattlers could not string hits together when they needed it, and controversial judgement calls by the umpires halted the momentum of the Rattler offense. Robledo continued with his hot bat, going 3-4. Reagan tried to get something started in the top of the 3rd, when Roy singled on a line drive to LF, Battles reached on an error, and Robledo singled on a ball deep in the hole to SS. Unfortunately, no runs were scored. Down 2-0 in the top of the 6th, Elias Leon led off with a line drive single to CF followed by walks from Crider and Roy. The Rattlers appeared to have scored 2 runs when Battles hit a ground ball fielder’s choice to SS. Tre Weaver was out at second on the FC play, Keegan Baldwin had crossed the plate, and Crider had crossed on an errant throw to first base. The runs were called back when the umpire called interference on Weaver (collision with the Unicorn second baseman, impeding the throw to first), causing Battles to be called out at first and negating any runs. In addition to this controversial call, there were more than 2 checked swings that were called strikes on the Rattlers. Reagan scored their only run in the 7th when Robledo led off with a double to LF, Crofts singled on a bunt, and Ryland Rangel drew a walk. Yzaguirre got the RBI with a monster sac fly to CF that nearly cleared the centerfielder, scoring Robledo. Leon drew a walk, and then the game ended on a double play off an unlucky line drive bullet to first base.
The Rattlers take on the Unicorns in game 2 tonight at North East Sports Park at 7 pm. Tickets are available at https://my.hometownticketing.com/agency/77056a82-7b7e-4b1f-8be9-9ebe278e3c43/events/5a1cad11-dba1-44f7-9658-c86ab64db616
COME SUPPORT REAGAN RATTLERS VARSITY BASEBALL TONIGHT!!!
#StrikeEm#Fight98