This was the second game of the day for Fairfax under the blazing hot sun and the game was at a different location, Henrico High School. The final game for Fairfax saw a few new faces in the starting line up with Brandon Spoone pitching with Steven MacDougall and Cory Wever in the outfield. In his first starting appearance during this tournament, Spoone had to endure an ever changing strike zone. Ignoring the pressure of two outs and bases loaded, he went to work throwing great ground ball pitches allowing his defense to help him handle the Winchester challenge. The first inning ended with neither team getting a hit or scoring.

The first hit of the game for Fairfax was from a single by Murphy Luatua. Unfortunately, he was never able to score as Fairfax just could not put anything together. In the bottom of the second, Spoone matched the Winchester pitcher by allowing only one hit. Unfortunatley, this batter went on to score Winchester’s first run thanks to a sacrifice fly. The second inning ended with Winchester up 1 to 0.

In the third inning, Ryan Wever scores for Fairfax after getting on base with a walk. The Winchester crew was not prepared, as Wever easily stole second and third base. He made it home on a single by Mr. Reliable, Matt Taylor. Despite working the count and the pitcher, that was all Fairfax was able to string together that inning. The bottom of the third, Winchester scored 3 runs. Spoone was working hard but his arm was giving him some trouble. He signaled to Manager Brooks and, after a quick discussion, Brooks signals for second basemanMatt Taylor to take over. Taylor immediately got the next two batters out but the umpire changed the zone again - finding a pitch he liked was almost impossible. Brooks goes to the bullpen and taps David Grayson. Grayson pitched the first game of the tournament and, with a few days of rest, was available for a few innings. David quickly gets out number three, but Winchester has done some damage and they are up 4 to 1 over Fairfax.

In the fourth inning each team adds another run to their tally. Fairfax began their scoring drive as Luatua gets on base with a walk and then works his way home courtesy of a fielder’s choice by Ryan Michael and a single by David Grayson. Ironically, the only run scored by Winchester that inning was due to a walk as well. The fourth inning ends with a score of 5 to 2, Winchester.

Filthy Fifth

The fifth inning is when Fairfax traditionally seems to come alive. First to bat is Casey Sutton with a shot down the third base line and is easily on base. Moving him around is Matt Taylor with an infield single. Up next is Patrick Gidders who has a single to centerfield - Fairfax is on a roll! The fans and players are pumped and Fairfax is gaining momentum. Then a highly controversial call at the plate bursts the bubble. Gidder’s ball was hit deep enough to centerfield that Sutton rounded third and headed for home. As Sutton rockets toward home plate, the catcher (about 5 inches taller and 70 pounds heavier) steps in and tries to block the plate. Too late to slide - Sutton speeds to the plate, knocking the catcher out of the way, avoiding a tag and was safe… or not? The umpire calls him out. Brooks protests. The official ruling was that Sutton is out because he did not slide. Interesting, but Babe Ruth plays according to Major League rules - sliding is not a requirement at home plate. Brooks protested and the umpire decides the runner was out because Winchester made the tag. Really.

[pause for everyone to completely digest the moment]

The revised call stands and there are no do-overs in baseball OR crying! Matt Taylor battled across the bases and successfully scored boosting Fairfax to 3 runs. Winchester matches that run and the fifth inning ends with a score of 6 to 3.

Fairfax ekes out another run in the sixth inning again with a walk by Ryan Michael and an RBI double by David Grayson. Ryan Wever hit a beautiful triple that inning, but never got the opportunity to score. As Fairfax moves back to defense, Grayson finds the pitch the umpire likes and quickly gets out of the inning without allowing Winchester a single run. At the end of the sixth, the score is 6 to 4 Winchester.

In the final at-bat for Fairfax, our favorites manage to get runners on base but cannot get anyone across the plate. The game ends with a final score of 6 to 4 to complete the 2008 season for the Fairfax Tournament Team. It is interesting to note that the Winchester team found themselves in the championship game against the Manassas Knights. The two teams that defeated Fairfax were the first and second place teams in the entire tournament. It is also notable that Fairfax held the Manassas crew to their fewest runs in any of their tournament games. Looking back, our Fairfax team was the toughest competition for the eventual state champs. Perhaps next year…