APEX, NC — Not just any team walks onto Laura Duncan Field #2 and walks away with a victory. The fifth-place Rob’s Reel Sets found that out the hard way last night in front of a bleacher-capacity crowd, losing 16-12 to the Timberland Big Dogs in a thriller that was called after six innings due to time.
With their all-around best outing of the season, the Big Dogs improved to 1-13 on the season and played their way into a tie for last place. With just two regular season games remaining, they still have an outside shot at the 5-seed in the tournament.
“That’s big,” says first baseman Lucas Miller. “No one wants to face Parkers Landscape in that first round.” The 5-seed would play Mamma Mia’s.
Rob’s Reel Sets jumped on top early, scoring five in the top of the first. It looked to be business as usual for The Big Dogs, as three infield grounders turned out to be too much to handle.
Miller didn’t have the reach on two errant throws and the second baseman is scared to get in front of the ball, which allowed the Reel Sets to jump on top 5-0 in the top of the first.
But then the defense settled in, and The Big Dogs got down to business. With the bats hot, they answered with four runs in the bottom of the first, started with a lead off homerun by the short stop, his fifth in the last three games.
“I’m not sure why our most powerful hitter is leading off,” Miller said. “It’s puzzling.” All five of his homeruns during that stretch have come with the bases empty. But then again, the second baseman hasn’t made a play all season and is untouchable.
The Dogs added three more in the third, taking an 8-5 lead into the fourth, hardly comfortable for a team that has led in all of their past five games, only to lose in late innings.
The fourth inning tested their will to win. The Reel Sets had scored five runs to take a 10-8 lead before The Big Dogs recorded their first out; Miller chased a fly ball down the right field line and caught it against the fence.
“I think that the entire team fed off that effort. When I flipped my hat off to get a better eye on it…that was dramatic. They knew we had come to play.” Miller was 3-for-4 and had his third straight error-free game.
The Dogs took an 11-10 lead in the fifth, but it wouldn’t hold. They gave up two in the top of the sixth. Trailing 12-11 and knowing it was likely their last at bat, they rallied, putting together seven consecutive hits/errors to drive the lead to 16-12. With just one out in the bottom of the sixth, the game was over. The Big Dogs stormed the field in triumph.
“Maybe we’re peaking at the right time,” Miller added. “Maybe the slipper will fit for us next week.”