White Sox Opening Day Game Recap

The 2009 Ladera Little League baseball season kicked of Saturday afternoon with a thrilling contest between last year's first and second place teams, the Yankess and the White Sox. The Yankees employed stellar starting pitching and aggressive base running to earn a 5-4 victory over the Sox.

Robert Landry took the hill for the Yankees to start the game. After surrendering a lead off walk to White Sox second baseman, Cashion London, Robert settled in to strike out the next 2 White Sox batters. Out 3 of the half inning was recorded by Kelvin Murillo of the Yankees, fielding a broken bat ground ball to third base – throwing to Gary Mccoy at first base.

Veteran, Shane Early got the start on the mound for the White Sox. Shane retired the lead off batter on a weak comebacker to the mound – throwing the Jabril Geter at first base to record the out. The Yankees strung together 3 hits – singles by Kyle Thompson and Jonathan Phelps and a 2 RBI triple by Robert Landry - to take a 2-0 lead. Wiley White Sox catcher, Robert Togia, caught Landry being overly aggressive with his lead off of third and threw to Lawrence Gilliam at third base to record out number 2. Shane settled in to record the final out with a strike out.

The White Sox went quietly in the top of the second as Landry displayed his dominance on the mound, retiring the side on strikes.

Similarly, Shane got on track for the White Sox in the bottom of the second inning, racking up another K, and holding the Yankees scoreless despite the first of 4 White Sox defensive errors. Cash caught a fly ball to shallow right center field to record an out, and Grant Craddolph handled a squibber up the middle to record an unassisted out at second base. At the end of two innings, the score remained Yankees 2, White Sox 0.

Speedy rookie center fielder, Dathan Bailey, got things started for the White Sox by legging out a one out infield single that hugged the third base line. Cash followed with his second walk of the game. Grant stepped to the plate and delivered a 2 RBI triple that hit the right-center field fence to tie the game at 2.

Newcomer, Nathan Moore entered the game for Alonzo Billips in left field in the bottom of the third inning with Malik Cole moving to second base and Cash moving to center field. Shane continued his impressive performance on the mound. The Yankees struck for one run on a single up the middle by Justin and an RBI double by Landry. Malik handled a fly ball to second base and Shane snagged a well hit line drive up the middle to get out of the inning. After three, the Yankees led 3-2.

Landry shut the Sox out in the top of the fourth recording 2 strike outs. Derek Marshall accounted for out number three on a ground ball to first base off of Robert's bat.

In the bottom of the fourth, Jordan Strong replaced Dathan in right field. The White Sox stiffened their defense to hold the Yankees scoreless in the bottom of the fourth. Lawrence handled a tricky bouncer to third base and threw to Jabril at first base for out number one. Shane battled through the third White Sox error of the game to close the inning with two strike outs.

Things got interesting in the top of the fifth inning with a lead off walk by Malik. Landry settled in to record his 10th strikeout of the game. Cash followed with an infield single to Yankee short stop Jibri Walden. Jabril followed with a sharply hit ground ball to third base that was fielded by Jonathan Phelps. Jonathan stepped on third to record the force out at third and was then obstructed on his attempt to double up Cash at second. The umpire made the call and out 3 was awarded to the Yankees.

Shane returned to the mound for his fifth inning of work. Out one was recorded by Grant on a pop fly to short stop. After a walk, the White Sox suffered from it's fourth error of the game when a routine pop fly to third base was dropped as Lawrence and Grant collided – canceling out number 2 of the inning. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Derek Marshall sent a fly ball to right field. White Sox right fielder, Jordan Strong caught the ball and relayed it home. Landry tagged up and scored and Jibri rounded third on the play. White Sox catcher, Robert, attempted to nail Jibri at third but the Sox were unable to convert on the run-down play as Jibri scored. Out three was recorded by Grant throwing to Jabril on a routine ground ball to short stop.

Down 5-2, the White Sox dug deep in the final at bat of the game. Jibri Walden moved to the mound to close the game out for the Yankees. Grant drew a walk to get the rally started. Shane followed with a double to right field to score Grant. Shane was able to move to third base on the throw home by the Yankees. The ball became lodged in the backstop and Shane was awarded home plate to make the score 5-4 Yankees. Lawrence followed and nailed in the noggin by a high inside pitch. Lawrence advanced to second and third on wild pitches to put the tying run on third base with 1 out. Jibri buckled down to get the final two outs and secure the game for the Yankees.

Final score – Yankees 5, White Sox 4

Winning Pitcher: Robert Landry

Losing Pitcher: Shane Early

Save: Jibri Walden