The FC Pilots found their way back into the win column last night at Twin Silo, besting the 3rd place Lightning 10-6 in a game that had the trappings of playoff baseball.  For those keeping score at home your Pilots have upset 4 of the top 5 teams in this uber competitive crown jewel of FCBC league.  And for those keeping score at last night's game (shout out to Coach Jerry) your Pilots showed just how good they can be as a team of talented ballplayers working and battling and competing together.

Execution was the name of the game last night with your Pilots proving that the separation is in the preparation.  Your morning recap ... 

Pilot Bats:  The box score is just a beautiful thing to behold after a win.  Your Pilots cranked 8 hits, worked 4 walks, and wore 2 bruising pitches to keep the bases full and the scoreboard operator busy.  Jayden and Oliver lead the team with 2 hits apiece, and together with Jack R all hit triples to the deepest corners of the manicured outfield.  Henry and Luke chipped in with a few base knocks and Corte, in what was the most memorable at bat of the game, sliced a 2 strike base knock to RF to kick off the game defining top of the 5th inning.  Co-Pilot of the Game Cooper took a high fastball to the letters and earned himself a trip to first the hard, and painful way.  Seeing Coop battle thru one of the more difficult aspects of this great game is a testament to his grit and commitment to his team.

Pilot Arms:  Take a bow Pilot pitchers - take a bow.  Co-Pilot of the Game Jack T spun 3 innings of 5 run ball, keeping an explosive Lightning lineup in the infield and crooked numbers off the scoreboard.  Henry jumped in mid-flight to secure the win and stick the landing with 2 innings of impressive work.  Both Jack T and Henry worked thru walks, sprinkled in Ks, and kept batters off balance by changing pitch speeds and locations.  It is impossible to overstate the pressure of being out there on the mound with the entirety of Twin Silo watching your every move, every pitch, every attempted pick off.  Way to battle boys - way to keep your team in the game.  And a quick shout out to Oliver for his work behind the plate.  This is the second game in a row where Ollie has caught every Pilot pitch back there - protecting the umpire like he was a newborn puppy and still finding time to be in the right place to make a play and end rallies before they start.  So clutch. 

Pilot Gloves:  The FC Pilots threw a big 0 on the scoreboard under the letter E.  Zero errors.  Unbelievable, textbook, sound as a pound sterling defense all the way around the diamond.  Huge shout out to Kevin's heads up glove down all out play at the hot corner in the 4th and 5th innings.  Earning co-Pilot of the Game for his efforts, Kevin flat out made baseball plays by knowing the situation, fielding balls cleanly, putting quick tags on runners, and making letters high across the field tosses to Ben at 1st.  Kevin's final out running a player back to second and then firing a strike over to first will go down as one of the highlights of this amazing season.  Henry was equally as impressive at SS with a highlight reel catch on a screaming line drive to his left to end a bases loaded third inning threat.  Corte and Ben played a perfect 2B and Jayden hoovered up every put out that found its way to first.  The outfield was relatively quiet but set our infield up to make plays and gun down advancing runners thru their quick relays to cut-off.  Awesome job Pilots!

Pilot Baserunning:  16 Pilots littered the basepaths last night - and 10 of the Pilots scored.  Awesome effort out there peeling around the pillows and taking advantage of every opportunity to advance.  We saw 3 Pilots - Jayden, Oliver, and Jack R - turn triples into homers via overthrows.  We saw Corte, Cooper, Carson and Jack T hustle and grind their way to plate runs any way possible.  Relentless - pursuit - of awesome.

Next Up:  The 12-1 PaddleHeads are set to make the trek down i25 to the Choice City this Wednesday the 29th @ Spring Park.  Tis no secret these guys are a great team.  You do not win 12 games in this league without sound defense, aggressive baserunning, and the ability to swing the sticks.  Your FC Pilots remain the only team in this league to upset this powerhouse all season, which means your FC Pilots are really the only team in this league to poke the bear.  Well, the moose.  The bear-moose.  Last night's win proves, again, that we can hang with any team in the league when we execute and play clean Pilots baseball.  First pitch is at 5:45pm - warm ups kick off no later than 4:45pm.  Focus, passion, and high energy are requested.

Pre-Game BP @ The Edge:  Coach Matt has secured some cage time at the Edge for any Pilot looking to get in some additional cuts.  If you're interested, comfortable and able please be equipped with a protective cup and mask.  3:30 to 4:30 before the game on Wednesday.  Thanks Coach for working with the lads and setting them up for success at the plate.

Thanks Pilot parents and families and fans.  Last night sure was special.  We saw effort and ownership from every young man on this team as they left everything they had out there between the foul lines.  Imagine if you could bottle those proud and accomplished smiles at the post-game Pilots circle?!  I have been amazed at the growth of every player on the field and in the dugout.  Pilot baseball does not happen without your commitment to this team - thank you!

Go Pilots!

Coach Chris