FOLLOW THE 2014 MARIETTA KNIGHTS AT OUR NEW 2014 BLOG

The Knights are back with a great lineup at 13U in 2014. Follow this link to the 2014 Knights blog.
http://mariettaknightsbaseball2014.blogspot.com/

Dramatic Come from Behind Win in Atlanta Braves Classic Highlights Knights Final 2013 Tourney!

Home of the Braves: The Marietta Knights walk out onto the beautiful grass at Turner Field

The Marietta Knights delivered a thrilling come from behind bracket win Sunday against the Bucks Baseball Club in the Atlanta Braves Baseball Classic at Wills Park in Alpharetta, Georgia. The Knights trailed 7-5 with just 8 minutes remaining in the time limit and the home Bucks at bat. Cal Hughes got a strike out, a pop to Presley Field at first and a pop to himself to end the inning. 2 minutes left meant the Knights would get the one more inning they needed.

Cal Hughes hit a 2 out, 2 run game tying single
and got the win on the mound against the Bucks

Big Game Hunter Williamson led off the final inning with a monstrous double to left field. Walks to Garrett Wells and Gil Hastings along with 2 strike outs and the bases were loaded with 2 outs, the Knights still down 7-5 and Cal at the plate. Cal ripped a 1-1 pitch into right field that scored Hunter and Garrett and the game was tied at 7 a piece. Austin Schubert was hit by a pitch and the bases were loaded once again for Presley Field. It was time for a little less conversation and a little more action. Presley blasted a double to the right field fence that cleared the bases and suddenly the Knights held a commanding 10-7 lead.

Marietta called on Austin Hansell to close it out. The Bucks managed 2 base runners but the Knights defense remained disciplined and focused on getting outs. Garrett hauled in a pop fly at 3B. JD Rinehimer caught a fly in CF and finally Hunter fielded a grounder at second and tossed it to Presley to complete the exciting 10-8 win. Cal got the win and Austin got the save. Presley blew up going 3 for 3 with 2 doubles, 4 RBI's and 2 runs scored. Gil went 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored and Jack Rinehimer added a triple.

Once again the Atlanta Braves put on a great tournament. In addition to bringing in top teams from all over the Southeast, the Braves gave all the players and coaches tickets to Braves vs. Marlins games Saturday night and the boys got to parade around the field at Turner Field before the game. The Knights also got a team photo with Braves starter Alex Wood.



Hunter was sharp on the mound in 2 appearances.

The Knights got a tough draw in the tourney facing the Middle Georgia Tigers and the Team Miken Wolfpack, both top 5 teams, in pool play. The upset win over the Bucks set up a rematch with Team Miken. It's always intimidating when you play a team sponsored by a really expensive bat maker, but the boys played them tough both times before bowing out of the tourney.

In addition to the great win, there were a lot of positives the Knights are excited to take into the 2014 season. Gil continued his offensive tear hitting .750 on the weekend with 3 runs and 3 stolen bases. He also drew an intentional walk. Gil and Presley were both great at 1B recording 7 and 6 putouts apiece. Hunter had 5 assists and 2 putouts and Luke Martin was great behind the plate including a caught stealing. Hunter and Austin both threw better than 60% strikes to balls ratio.

New Knight Austin Schubert had a big double in a real game at
Wills Park and several big drives in the fake game at Turner Field

Jack, Garrett and Gil patrol the OF at the Taco Mac park at Turner
Field.

Follow the Knights Cooperstown Run on Twitter!

The Marietta Knights in the Opening Ceremonies at Cooperstown Dreams Park

The Marietta Knights will be live tweeting and sharing photos of their trip to Cooperstown, NY via @mariettaknights on Twitter! Coach Rob plans to update the blog with a Cooperstown Report when the boys return home next week. twitter.com

Knights Sweep Double Header from Mt. Paran Spartans

Battery Brothers - Jack Rinehimer delivers a strike to big brother JD Rinehimer
 

The Marietta Knights had a good day on Saturday taking both games of a double header against the Mt Paran Spartans at Mt Paran North Church Park. It was a homecoming for Hunter, Garrett and Isaac who grew up playing at Mt. Paran and Mason who also spent a couple of seasons there. Coaches Rob, Pete and Charlie were also excited to see several of their former players in the opposite dugout.

Game 1

Austin Hansell struck out 3 in 3 innings on the mound.

The Knights looked strong right away as they jumped to a 4-0 lead in the top of the 1st thanks to hits from JD Rinehimer, Mason Doyle and Austin Hansell and a sacrifice fly by Gil Hastings. Austin was very sharp in his first action on the mound since injuring his hand. He struck out 3 and only allowed 2 runs on 2 hits in 3 innings of work. Austin also delivered the defensive play of the game from the mound. With a runner on 2nd, Austin fielded a hard comebacker and caught the baserunner between 2nd and 3rd. He executed the play perfectly running directly at the runner with the ball cocked and ready and as the runner broke for 3rd he made the throw to Hunter who applied the tag.

Garrett Wells delivered the game winning
hit in his return to Mt. Paran Park

RBI singles by Mason and George Krivsky pushed the lead to 6-2 in the top of the 4th and the Knights seemed to be in control. But Mt. Paran's Scott Baker kept Knights hitters off balance while the Spartans chipped away at the lead and tied things up at 6-6 when Nathan Jenkins crossed the plate. The tension was brutal in the top of the 6th when the Knights had no one on with 2 outs in a 6-6 tie. JD got things started again with a single and then stole 2nd and 3rd. Mason walked and stole second to set the stage for the homecoming play of the day as Garrett Wells blasted a 2 out, 2 run single into rcf. Gil Hastings followed up with a monstrous triple to bring Garrett home and Austin singled to knock in Gil. Austin came home on an error and suddenly the Knights had breathing room again with an 11-6 lead. Jack Rinehimer ended the drama with a 3 up 3 down 6th while pitching to his brother JD. Jack struck out 4 in 3 innings and JD was great at Catcher after being forced into a duty behind the plate due to injuries. It was a great family moment as JD squeezed strike three from Jack to finish off the 11-6 win.


Game 2
It looked like the Knights may be in for another dogfight as Mt Paran jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st. But the Knights offense picked up right where it left off with a 5 run first thanks to hits from Mason, Garrett, Gil, Jack and George. The Knights used a triple from Presley Field and a double from Mason to put up another 5 in the second and they never looked back in cruising to a 15-8 victory.

Hunter and Presley hustle off the field after a 1 to 3 putout ended the 3rd.

Big Game Hunter Williamson, who was strong defensively all day, had his homecoming moment after he took the mound in the 3rd inning. Hunter needed only 21 pitches to shut down Mt. Paran  in the 3rd and 4th innings giving up just 1 unearned run and striking out 1. He also had an assist from the mound. There were 2 Defensive Efforts of the Game. Mason Doyle made a great catch on a low line drive to short and doubled off the runner at first thanks to a great stretch and scoop from Presley Field. The other defensive effort was Austin Hansell throwing out 2 runners trying to steal in the game.



Mason Doyle reached base each of the 7
times he batted Saturday and scored 5 times.

Mason Doyle had a huge day in his return to the park. He had 5 assists and 5 putouts from short stop and reached base every time he went to bat. Mason was 3 for 3 with 5 runs, 4 RBI's, 5 steals and he walked 4 times. Garrett Wells was 3 for 6 with 5 RBI's, JD Rinehimer 4 for 5 with 5 runs, Gil Hammer Hastings was 4 for 6 with 4 RBI's and Austin Hook Hansell was 4 for 5 with 3 RBI's. It was a beautiful day at the park and it's always a little nicer when you can put two wins in the book.

Marietta Knights to take on Georgia Warriors & North Georgia Outlaws in First Round of NABL Tournament

The 2013 Marietta Knights head into the NABL Tournament This Weekend Looking for Victories

The matchups were announced today for the opening round of play in the 2nd Annual North Atlanta Baseball League Tournament to be held at Rock Creek Park in Dawsonville, Georgia. The Knights will open with a rematch against the Georgia Warriors before taking on the North Georgia Outlaws. Marietta split a double header with the Warriors earlier in the season. The Knights are excited to finally get to play the Gerry Manelli's Outlaws squad as both of their previous attempts to play were rained out.

Marietta will be without Will "The Thrill" Nelson for the NABL tourney after placing him on the Disabled List with a broken thumb. Will took a pitch awkwardly to his glove hand before the first game of Saturday's double header with the North Forsyth Bandits. Clearly in pain, Will insisted he could play and caught 4 innings in the first game. Coach Rob finally took him out after he was run over and took a cleat to the face in that first game even though Will looked at Coach, covered in dirt, and said "I'm good, I can catch." Will came back in the second game to pitch 6 innings to get the win in a 1 hit shutout. After his thumb worsened over night, Will find out Monday that he had played two great games with a broken thumb. The Knights will have to do without Will's big bat, arm and leadership behind the plate for the NABL tournament but hope to get him back in time for their trip to Cooperstown.

Express Steam Past Knights

Austin Hansell makes a nice stop in the dirt

The Kennesaw Express travelled a few miles South to Larry Bell Park in Marietta Monday night and the Knights got caught on the tracks in the 13-1 loss. The Express hit the ball hard all night and seemed to put the barrels of their bats on every Knights' fastball, curve and change-up. In 1898 Wee Willie Keeler advised hitters to "hit it where they ain't." All these years later that advice still held true for Kennesaw as nice throws by Knights' pitchers continued to find open spots of grass in the outfield or scream between infielders. The Knights lone run came on a sacrifice fly by Garrett Wells that scored Mason Doyle. The Knights will regroup and try to return to their recent strong play as they head into the NABL Tournament this weekend in Dawsonville.

Isaac Zefo Holds down Left Field

Knights' Will Nelson Throws 1 hitter in 6-0 shutout of North Forsyth Bandits

Will Neslson threw a complete game 1 hit shutout.

The Marietta Knights got a nearly perfect performance on the mound from Will Nelson and their defense finally showed their true potential in a brilliant 6-0 victory over the North Forsyth Bandits at Bennett Park in Cumming, Georgia on Saturday. Will threw a full 6 inning complete game shut out in just 51 pitches. This was especially remarkable considering the umpire committed to a dinner plate sized strike zone and that Will took a cleat to the face in the first half of the double header. The Bandits managed just three baserunners in the contest on their 1 hit, 1 walk and the Knights committed just one error.

Marietta's offense came up big as well as they put up 5 runs in the 2nd. Fresh off the disabled list, Austin "Hook" Hansell came up with a huge 2 run single down the right field line to get the Knights rolling. After Jack Rinehimer drew a bases loaded walk, JD Rinehimer followed up with another 2 run single and the Knights were in business. Mason Doyle was 3 for 3 with 3 stolen bases and he scored a run on Will's 5th inning single.

It's impossible to pick out one play so the Defensive Effort of the Game goes to the team. The Knights successfully executed another run down in the 2nd when Will caught a Bandits' runner off of 2B, threw to Garrett Wells at 3B, who threw to Cal Hughes at 2B who threw back to Mason who applied the tag at 3rd. Garrett then stole a double in the 3rd on a running catch of a fly ball to left field. Hunter Williamson caught back to back flyballs at 2B in the 4th. The Knights never let up and delivered an exciting double play in the 6th. Will fielded a come backer at the mound, looked the runner back at second and threw to George Krivsky for the out at 1B. The runner broke for 3rd and George took a step and made a perfect throw to Hunter who applied the tag to the sliding runner. Gil Hastings closed out the victory 2 pitches later with a beautiful sliding catch on a flare down the right field line.



The Knights enjoy a game of Pepper between games.

It was another great team victory for the Knights. The only downsides for Coach Rob were that he had already used up all of his Willie Nelson references after Will had a game winning hit a few weeks ago and that he had to endure a celebration concert by George, Gil and Hunter on the long ride back to Marietta. Although a storm moved in just after the game ended, Coach Rob is fighting off a Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain reference because the Bandits are a great group of kids and they win so many games that they handled the loss just fine.

The Bandits took game 1 of the double header 11-7. Garrett Wells threw 2 shutout innings with 3 strikeouts. The Defensive Play of the Game was another run down between JD, playing Catcher for the first time this season because of injuries, and Hunter at 3B. JD threw to Hunter who gave chase and returned the throw. Hunter realized no one had fallen in behind him at 3rd so he backed back into place and took one more throw from JD and tagged the runner out. The offensive highlight of the game was a bases loaded, bases clearing double by Hammer Hastings. Gil is consistently hitting the ball very hard. Hunter added a 2 run single and Will and George had an RBI each. Mason Doyle was 4 for 4 on the day with 7 stolen bases.

The Loveliest Fan Club in the NABL somehow managed to get covered in even more red clay than their big brothers.