With the wind at our backs, the 10U Rattler "Maroon" team took two more victories, at home, from two more Divisional Rivals, including a fantastic come-from-behind win against top-ranked Wellington Warriors.  Friday night's game put the Sunrise Knights in our cross-hairs.  Once the game started, we never looked back as the team took control and never let up until the run-rule ended the game.  Solid performances included good starting pitching from Evan "25" Klugerman (again), good infield defense from Brett Kean at SS - Rafael "Rafa" Amanau at 3B - Richard "Rocket" Labarca at 2B, Tommy "Big Papi" Taborda behind the plate, and Perry Littrell at 1B.  No individual player could be singled out, as everyone had their heads in the game both in the field and in the batting order.

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the top-ranked Wellington Warriors came to town from WPB and, as always, they brought their A-Game.  This is probably one of the best organized and well-run teams in the 10U Division.  The Rattler Coaches were commenting that there were no superstars to point to, which emphasized what an overall strong team they really had.  As expected, it was a hard fought duel, with each team's pitching really dictating play.  John Ham started the game with his usual tenacity and proceeded to control their hitting, including several key strike outs.  Danny Cepeda came into relief and never let them rattle him either.  The Rattler bats were also challenged because the Warriors' pitching was equally as tenacious!  Naturally, that gave rise to a low scoring game.  However, the Rattlers took the early lead (1-0) in the third inning and it wasn't until the fourth and fifth inning when Wellington was able to scored (and manufacture) 2 runs.  As the game went into the bottom of the 6th inning, Danny Cepeda singled into center to get on.  A steal here, a bunt there, and we were now tied 2-2!  With two outs, it was up to Evan "25" Klugerman to get the winning run in and with two strikes on him, he hit the most beautiful blooper to shallow left you'd ever want to see!   Other key hits during the game also came from Perry Littrell and Angel Amadeo, who came into the game late in the fifth inning when he roped a shot down the left field line for a critical clutch hit. 

With that victory, the 10U Ratters "Maroon" continue their winning streak to 5 games and have the lead in the Northern Division with a 7-2 overall record. 

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the top-ranked Wellington Warriors came to town from WPB and, as always, they brought their A-Game.  This is probably one of the best organized and well-run teams in the 10U Division.  The Rattler Coaches were commenting that there were no superstars to point to, which emphasized what an overall strong team they really had.  As expected, it was a hard fought duel, with each team's pitching really dictating play.  John Ham started the game with his usual tenacity and proceeded to control their hitting, including several key strike outs.  Danny Cepeda came into relief and never let them rattle him either.  The Rattler bats were also challenged because the Warriors' pitching was equally as tenacious!  Naturally, that gave rise to a low scoring game.  However, the Rattlers took the early lead (1-0) in the third inning and it wasn't until the fourth and fifth inning when Wellington was able to scored (and manufacture) 2 runs.  As the game went into the bottom of the 6th inning, Danny Cepeda singled into center to get on.  A steal here, a bunt there, and we were now tied 2-2!  With two outs, it was up to Evan "25" Klugerman to get the winning run in and with two strikes on him, he hit the most beautiful blooper to shallow left you'd ever want to see!   Other key hits during the game also came from Perry Littrell and Angel Amadeo, who came into the game late in the fifth inning when he roped a shot down the left field line for a critical clutch hit. 

With that victory, the 10U Ratters "Maroon" continue their winning streak to 5 games and have the lead in the Northern Division with a 7-2 overall record.