Express Notes:
In the second game of a back-to-back weekend set, the NOLL AAA Express fell just short of another come-from-behind victory, falling to the NOLL AAA Naturals 6-5 at Golden Gate Academy.

Liam D was on the hill for the Locomotives to start the game, and he delivered two innings of scoreless ball, striking out three and walking just one. The southpaw showed his control of the zone, locating 24 of his 32 pitches for strikes. Not to be out-done, Sommers D-N came in to pitch the third, and the soft-tossing righty got out of the inning needing just nine pitches, eight of which went for strikes, and yielding just one run. Sommers was helped by a nice play at shortstop by Kiran K.

The Naturals' hurlers, though, matched the Express on the mound, shutting out the Iron Horses through three innings, striking out six in the process.

Down 1-0 in the top of the fourth, the Express got on the board in a blast. After a two-out walk to Sam W-S and a sharp single by Sommers D-N, Tyler J unloaded on a ball to center field, driving in two. He scored on a single by Aidan D one batter later to make it 3-1.

It didn't stay 3-1 for long, though, as the Naturals came out swinging in the fourth against Erik W, putting up a five spot on the strength of a number of well-hit balls. Coach Brook said after the game, 'Erik was pitching well - throwing hard and hitting the zone for the most part - the Naturals were just swinging the bat well. Erik was great, and I know he'll bounce back.'

Down 6-3, the Express put up two in the top of the fifth on a single by Erik, a walk by Kiran and singles by Liam and Sam. A walk to Sommers loaded the bases, but the Express couldn't push any more runs across.

Down by a run entering the bottom of the fifth and needing to keep it close, The Express gave the ball to Alex N for his first outing of the year. Backed by some nice defense by Sommers at second base and Jonah L at shortstop, Alex delivered a 13 pitch inning, which he punctuated with a called strike three for out number three. 'I was very impressed with Alex out there today,' said coach Brook. 'For his first time pitching this season, he showed a lot of poise, and he was throwing strikes.'

The Express entered the top of the sixth needing a run to tie the game, but it was not to be for the Diesels. Aidan, Alex, and Cole E each hit the ball hard, but the Naturals infield stood firm, delivering the home team a 1-2-3 inning and the 6-5 victory.

After the game, no one on was hanging his head on the Express sideline, though. 'A tough, well played game - you win some, you lose some,' said Coach Brook. 'We're on to the Bats next weekend.'