We played Merrillville tonight at the Indiana Harbor fields.  Beautiful fields.  The boys won this evening 6 - 3.  They are 2 - 0 now.  Their first game was won by forfeit on July 11.  

Pitching was key tonight.  Patrick Arndt broke the opening game jitters by holding the Merrillville boys to 3 runs.  All three runs were given up in the first inning after two outs.  He gave them one more opportunity by walking the bases loaded to start the second.  He settled down smiled and retired the next three hitters each by strikeouts and no runs.  From their the energy was back and the bats came alive.  The boys got four runs in the fourth when Nathan Tilden led off with a walk followed by a towering drive by Garrett Swanson and key hits by Lucas Rhed and Alec Emmons, all of these guys would score.  The bats stayed hot going into the fourth with Grisham smaking a hard ball fielded cleanly but giving life to the kids that followed.  Garritt Slatcoff drove a 2-2 count only his brother could have caught into center field.  This was followed by a perfectly laid bunt by Jeremy Driscoll who beat the throw out.  Rhett Rondinelli had two hits and Nick Andert had the hit which scored the eventual winning run.  Zach Burris and Garrett Swanson pitched in relief and as set up for the closer Nathan Tilden.  Nathan finished the game for the save.  Arndt was credited with the win.  The next game is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.  Saturday, July 18, at Portage Fields off of Central Avenue and Vivian Street.