Go BCC Blue Jays!: Blue Jays battle in a Barnburner

The Blue Jays competed admirably in a fun and exciting game with the Nationals Sunday, May 4, at Newport Mill Middle School.

Although the game didn't end as we'd hoped, the team put forth an excellent effort versus a technically sound and well coached opponent.

The final score was Nationals 9, Blue Jays 8.

May 4 Game Report

Jake Lang was unexpectedly thrown into a less than ideal situation for his first career pitching appearance, but he stepped up, competed, and held the opponent at bay. Jake struck out a batter and allowed just one run in 1.1 innings of work. Earlier, he flashed the leather, catching a fly ball at 3rd base in the third inning and handling a grounder unassisted at 1st base in the fourth. Offensively, Jake singled in the fourth, scored a run, and registered two RBIs. He's tied for the team lead with six runs batted in this season.

After winning the hitting derby in Saturday's practice, Jack Raymond continued to carry the offensive load in Sunday's game. Jack delivered one of the Blue Jays' two extra-base hits on the day, a double down the left field line to lead off the top of the third. He would later round the bases and score his team's first run. Defensively, Jack continued to play heads-up baseball in right field.

Andre Schnider enjoyed a breakout offensive performance in Week #3 of the BCC Minor League season. Andre smashed a double to left field in the fourth, added a single in the first, and drew a walk. His 2-for-2 day included a run scored and a team high three RBIs. Defensively, Andre enhanced his reputation for reliability on the left side of the infield, cutting off a grounder to the hole and firing a good throw to 1st base for the first out in the bottom of the sixth.

Xander Yu simply continues to impress - with the bat, the glove, the arm, and the brain. In Sunday's game, Xander battled his way through two innings on the mound, allowing no hits and just one run while striking out one. A fundamentally sound fielder, Xander helped his own cause with four assists on come-backers to the mound. His best play began when he caught an infield fly ball and alertly threw to double the runner at 1st base. Batting in the lead-off spot, Xander hit the ball hard, banging singles in the 1st and 5th and adding an RBI.

Gavin Ferguson has base runners thinking twice about trying to score from 2nd base on singles to left field. After throwing out three would-be scorers at the plate in the first two games of the season, Gavin prevented another run from scoring in Game 3, scooping up a grounder in left and heaving a good throw to the plate to hold the runner at 3rd base. Offensively, Gavin drew a walk and scored a run in the top of the fifth.

Sam Berman made consistent contact at the plate, socking a grounder to the right side of the infield that drove in a run in the top of the fifth. Sam is tied for third on the team with four RBIs this season. Defensively, he made a spectacular play from the mound, sprinting, sliding and catching a pop-up along the 1st base line to notch the first out in the bottom of the fifth.

Derek Sappenfield energized his teammates in pregame batting practice when he nearly felled a venerable oak tree in an impressive display of big boy power. In the game, he nearly reached base safely on a well hit ball to the shortstop in the top of the sixth. Defensively, Derek played efficiently at 2nd base and in center field.

Cole Hughes amazed spectators and teammates alike when he executed an unassisted double-play that ended a huge threat in the bottom of the fifth. Playing at shortstop, Cole ranged to his left, nabbed a fly ball, and outraced the runner back to the 2nd base bag to finish the frame. On the mound, Cole pitched a perfect 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fourth, eventually recording three strikeouts and allowing three hits in two innings of work. Offensively, Cole walked and scored in the fourth.

Michael Hardie has established himself as a significant offensive threat after just three games of BCC baseball. In Sunday's contest, he ripped a single in the fourth, drew a walk in the sixth, and scored a run. Possessing both power and contact capability, Michael is one of three Blue Jays to achieve a perfect 1.000 balls in play (BIP) percentage in the first three games of the season. Defensively, Michael played alert baseball at 2nd base and in the outfield.

Will Dash turned in a gutty performance behind the dish, providing an excellent target and making several good stops on pitches in the dirt. He nearly completed a triple play when he caught a throw at the plate and tagged the sliding runner just a split second too late. Will contributed to the offensive onslaught with a base hit in the second and a walk in the fourth.

George Roggie was a little ragged after his early morning game in Germantown, but you wouldn't know it from looking at his production. He squared up a liner to left center in the fourth and followed it with a drive to right center in the sixth. George's 2-hit performance actually reduced his season's batting average to .857, tops on the team. He also scored twice and collected two RBIs. Typically a sure-handed glove man, George assisted on five put-outs at 1st base.

Still Standing

Rare is the weekend when someone witnesses more youth baseball than the head coach. Brian Ferguson managed to accomplish that feat May 2-4. Fortunately, he made time to assist at pregame batting practice and coach at 3rd base for the Blue Jays.

Impressive!

Derrick Raymond performed double duty, as well, coaching at 1st base and taking the photos in Sarah's unanticipated absence. We suspect the photo above is what the kids like to call a "selfie," or something like that.

Thanks, Derrick!

Steve Berman's score book is important because it tells us where the trends are headed. For example, despite finishing on the short end of the line score, the Blue Jays enjoyed their best hitting performance of the season by a wide margin.