MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—One had to be there to know the "c'mon" reference but regardless, the 2011 Red/Black series was captured by Team Black 9-6 in the deciding game. Team Black was able to ride the pitching of Kevin Youst and fend off a ninth inning rally by Team Red.
When the smoke cleared after the rally, the celebration began. The joy of not having to deal with equipment in the spring overtook the joy of finally finishing a four-hour game. The game might as well been a fundraiser nicknamed the "walk-a-thon" as both teams combined to walk eighteen batters.
Umpire-in-chief Marc Pavao had this to say about the free passes: "The boys might not have been prepared for the 'Major League' type strike zone but it was the same one as in game four. Too much nibbling going on and not enough challenging. However, the way both teams were swinging the bat, I can see how some pitchers tried to be too fine. Overall, it was a tremendous series, one of the best in my tenure here."
Both teams went back and forth in the first five innings, but it was Team Black who took advantage of walks to score multiple runs in the third and fifth innings. Team Black's pitching staff did a remarkable job limiting any Team Red rallies by making big pitches and limiting their free passes in the early innings.
Black’s Sheehan Planas reached second base to start the second inning on an outfield error. James Young made that mistake pay by plating Planas with an RBI single.
Team Red answered in the bottom half when Andy Ruiz deposited a high fastball into the left field parking lot but Team Black answered right back with two runs in the top of the third inning essentially setting the tone. With one out, three straight walks loaded the bases. Connor Oliveri and Joel Bellot followed with a sacrifice fly and base hit respectively to put Team Black back ahead 3-1.
Team Red countered in the bottom of the fourth when Danny Bettancourt scored on a Tyler Kinley base hit. Team Black went ahead for good by responding in the fifth with two more runs, taking advantage of two more free passes. The patient approaches by Bellot and Jesus Garcia set up RBI singles by Zack Jackson and Lyndon Coleman. The game coasted along from there with only one more run being scored in the eighth until the crazy ninth inning rolled around.
With one out in the top of the ninth, Coleman ripped a single. Planas roped an opposite-field, RBI double off the left field fence scoring Coleman. The hits continued when Young scored Planas with a single and the fireworks ended when Young scored on a Oliveri sacrifice fly to right field.
Things looked to be all but over after the top half but Team Red had a little more fight left in them. After a walk and a hit by pitch started the inning, reliever Matt Garlock settled down and limited the damage, getting the final three outs and not concerning himself with the baserunners. Two runs scored that half but the title was secured as the final batter flew out to right field to end the five-game series.
Team Black manager, Brad McAllister had this to say: "It was a tough-played series. Both teams battled and fought their hearts out. They left everything out on the field. I give my respect to the Red squad, but it was obvious that the better team won."
Team Red manager, TJ Mullins also commented on the series: "I thought we battled. We came out sluggish in game two and three but we showed a lot of heart forcing a game five. We left it on the field. We just came up a little short."
The Barry boys wrapped up the fall team practice season with game five and will jump back into individual practice, weight training, and conditioning until the week before finals. From that point on, after the holidays, the squad will prepare for approximately a month before starting the season. The 2012 schedule will be posted shortly on-line.