When you fail to execute the fundamentals, you put yourself in a hole.  These failures against Old Mill resulted in the Seahawks dropping a game that was very well within their reach.   Little things turn into huge differences like hitting behind the runner to gain an extra base, sacrificing yourself on a bunt, hustling to beat out a potential double play, watching the base coach for guidance to advance or hold your base.

The 'Hawks began the second inning with a Nick Whiting single.  When Zach Morris dropped a perfect sacrifice bunt, the Old Mill pitcher threw wildly to first.  With runners on first and second with no outs, the Seahawks were poised for a big inning.  After a strike out, Andrew Oliver worked a walk to load the bases when Jesse Holian delivered a sacrifice fly to score Whiting.   But, that's all South River was able to muster, wasting a great opportunity to score a bunch of runs.

Bobby Hite opened the third inning with a double to left but the Seahawks were unable to advance him at all when two simple ground outs to the right side would have scored a run.  In the fifth inning with one out, Ryan Schoenbauer stuck out but hustled to reach first when the ball bounded away from the catcher.  However, Schoenbauer was then thrown out attempting to steal second base without getting a jump.  Bobby Hite followed with a walk and Eric Aumann ripped a single but both were left on base when Josh Rowe struck out.  Three runners reached base in the inning but no runs were scored. 

Finally, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Schoenbauer lined a double to right center to open the inning - the PERFECT beginning to the inning.  All the 'Hawks needed was to advance him to tie the game.  When Bobby Hite crushed a line drive to left center, the Old Mill centerfielder made a terrific play - a back-handed diving catch running away from the plate.  However, once the dust cleared, Schoenbauer remained at second base!  The next hitter, Eric Aumann, rolled out to second base and would have scored Schoenbauer had he tagged up on the previous play.  Without his advancing, Josh Rowe ended the game with a strikeout.

Young players making mistakes continue to hurt the Seahawk chances to win.  With 54 strikeouts in 185 at bats while hitting a paltry .221 with runners in scoring position, the 'Hawks must take advantage of every opportunity to gain a win.  South River outhit and outslugged Old Mill but, in the most important stat of all, didn't outscore them.

Once again, Eric Aumann was fabulous on the hill.  In his fourth complete game, Aumann stuck out five, walked only two, and gave up only five hits.  Only two of Old Mill's runs were earned.  Although Aumann can't seem to catch a break, his ERA continues to shrink. 

On the plus side, Nick Whiting had a single and a double and scored both runs, while Freshman Nick Sia contributed an RBI single in his first varsity plate appearance.