D-Backs 4/22 Results

April 22nd

D-Backs vs Nationals

W, 14-1

Luke Bowden and Mitchell Houston show grit to combine for a no hitter.

D-Backs struck early in the opening inning and never looked back.  Aiden Ohl lead off the game by crowding the plate and getting into the heads of the Nationals pitcher.  He was hit by a pitch and then the next three batters walked to put them up 1-0.  Mitchell walked up to the plate and knew to take a strike as the pitcher was struggling and watched the first pitch sail by for a strike.  Mitchell wasn't waiting around after that as he knocked the next pitch into left field and by a diving (maybe stumbling) defender.  He rounded the bases and showed off his speed with an inside the park grand slam putting D-Backs up by five.  They weren't done yet as Walker Cunningham singled to center and then later scored on a single by Tyrus Randall.

Luke kept the Nationals at bay with two strikeouts in the opening frame while Christopher Alston continued to make his play for a Gold Glove and made another great play at second to throw out a runner at first.

The second inning was so exciting that batters forgot to swing.  Four walks, a run scored, and a strike out swinging brought the score to 7-0.  

The bottom of the second was all defense as the Nationals #2 hit a grounder to Christopher who made another routine play to get him out.  After a couple walks Luke got it together and struck out the next batter swinging.  After a passed ball sent the runners into scoring position Luke knew he had to make a pitch to preserve the shutout.  He threw an inside fastball that was ripped down the third base line and the speedy batter got out of the box quickly.  Tyrus was ready, snagged the grounder, and made a great throw to first which was caught by Mason Biship for the out and end the threat.

With the Nationals struggling D-Backs were not ready to throw in the towel.  Mitchell, Walker, and Bo Randall all worked walks bringing Tyrus up with bases juiced.  Nationals weren't giving up a long ball and plunked Tyrus right in the head.  After Tyrus picked himself up off the ground he strolled to first glaring at the pitcher, but composed and stayed at first.  After a couple strikeouts and a walk by Gracie Rogers, Aiden was once again beaned in the back.  No benches cleared.  Luke came up with a vengeance and hit a hard line drive to left field scoring Tyrus and Gracie.  Ricky Whetten finished the scoring with a sharp grounder to short scoring Aiden and Luke.  

Mitchell came in the final inning to close it out and had to make things interesting walking the first two batters.  Only a couple wild pitches allowed the Nationals to score, but the next three didn't have a prayer as a struck out two swinging and one looking to end the game.