Due to rainouts earlier this year the Braves found themselves with four games in four days, and mired in last place at 0-4 to begin the week. The Braves needed to get some region wins if they hoped to get back in the playoff picture.
Instead, the Braves lost all four games by a combined seven runs. Even worse, Bountiful either led or had a winning or tying run in scoring position in the final inning of each game. In each game, it was a defensive error by the Braves which allowed the winning run to score. Friday's loss was no different.
The Titans jumped out to an early 4-0 lead behind a two-run home run by Scott Neff, but Bountiful responded with some offense of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Aaron Dell had a two-RBI double, and the Braves were able to get back three runs.
The Titans took a 10-3 lead after the top of the fourth inning as the middle part of the Titans' batting order continued to have success against Dell, who started the game for the Braves. For the game the 2-5 hitters combined to go 11-14 with 10 RBI, while the 6-9 hitters were a combined 2-16.
After a week of close calls and tough losses it would have been easy for the Braves to give up at that point but the Braves battled back once again. Bountiful exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth aided by some key hits from the bottom of the batting order. Kirk Simmonds and Richard Gaines had back-to-back doubles and the Braves cut the Titans' lead to 10-8.
In the top of the sixth the Titans used a bit of trickery to cushion their advantage. With two outs and men on first and third, and the bottom of the Titans' line-up batting (which had struggled all day), the Titans called for a steal from Neff, who was on first. Neff then purposely slid short of the bag hoping to draw the attention of the Braves' de-fense and avoid being tagged while the runner on third scored. Eric Hunter, who pitched well in relief for the Braves, took the bait and attempted to tag Neff and end the inning, but Hunter slipped just before he could make the tag. Not only was Neff safe, but the Titans were able to score the insurance run from third to make the score 11-8.
The Braves cut the lead to 11-10 in the bottom of the sixth as, once again, the bottom of the Braves' batting order came through with some huge hits. Joe Lalli hit an RBI double and Gaines followed up with another double down the line, but the Braves were once again unable to level the score as the Titans' run in the sixth became more and more important. The Braves had another opportunity to tie or go ahead in the bottom of the seventh with runners in scoring position but Bountiful failed to score, ending the game 11-10. Neff was 4-4 with three RBI for the Titans, while Lalli was 4-4 with two doubles and four RBI for the Braves. Dell also added 3 RBI giving him a team-high 18 RBI for the season.
Now, with the region schedule more than half completed, the Braves find themselves in a big hole. With an 0-8 record and four games back for the final Region 5 playoff spot, the Braves would have to put together a long winning streak to end the season if they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive.
If the Braves hope to make a run, now is the time to do it. The Braves will play Monday against Woods Cross at Franklin Covey field, followed by four consecutive home games as the season winds down.
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