Despite turning a triple play, knocking out ten hits, and a strong start from Randy Patton, the short-handed South Oakland Ducks (2-6) lost to first place Bauerstown by a score of 4-3 in Shaler Sunday afternoon. The Grizzlies (9-1) won on a walk off sac fly. This is the second walk off loss for the Ducks this season.

I wasn’t at this game. My daughter had softball. Her team won 16-14.

We still have a lot of games left. If we improve our attendance it will allow us to take advantage of our relief pitchers, which could help us in situations like Sunday. Randy pitched well, but he should not have to face the top of their order for a third time in the seventh inning when we have guys who can come in and close out games. But we can’t pull our shortstop and put him on the mound if we don’t have someone else to play there.

It’s frustrating, but if we can get on a roll, and play well down the stretch we can still make a run. We have the pitching. We’ve lost on the last at bat to the top three teams record wise. Those games are basically a coin flip. I don’t think our record reflects our talent level, but in such a short season there isn’t as much time for the bounces to even out. All the teams in AA are really close talent wise. We have to be able to win close games.

South Oakland plays next on Wednesday night in a rematch against Bauerstown. 9pm Springview Field.