4/24/2008 - Devils come out hot against Mustangs but cool down half way.

What started out as a close game between the 2nd placed Mustangs and the Devils did not end that way, since it was once again a game which ended due to the mercy-rule in the 5th inning. The 1st inning didn’t start off too well for the Devils, who allowed 6 runs, 4 of which came after they had made the 2nd out. However despite their defensive errors, the Devils more than made up for it in the bottom of the inning by scoring 7 runs thanks to RBI (Runs Batted In) hits by Robert Mifsud, Silvan Busuttil, and John Farrugia. The Devils also took advantage of 2 walks and 2 hit-by-pitches but ended the inning leaving 3 runners stranded with the bases loaded. The 2nd inning was a quick one, in the top of the inning the Mustangs scored 2 runs in the Devils only errorless inning, however the home team were not able to repeat their 1st inning success and the score remained 8-7. The Mustangs then scored another 4 in the 3rd, however the Devils managed to end the inning on two pop-flies to shortstop and 3rd base. At the bottom of the inning Mustangs pitcher Mark Buttigieg was replaced by Steve Ritchie. The Devils once again scored no runs. After suffering 4 runs in the top of the 4th Giancarlo Tolu was substituted by Silvan Busuttil who ended the inning with 4 pitches. Steve Ritchie then replied by striking out 2 in the bottom of the inning, allowing no hits to once again shut down the Devils offense. The 5th inning turned out to be the last one of the game, after the Mustangs managed to score 6 runs off pitcher Busuttil thanks to hits by most of their line-up. In fact the game stopped at 2 outs, since the 15 run-difference rule came into place when the score became 22-7. Sunday’s game started off as a close one, but in the end it was clear that the team who managed to settle in sooner won the game. Although the Devils wreaked some havoc in the 1st inning, it was not enough to keep them going, had they committed less errors defensively and kept their bats hot after the first inning they might have actually given the Mustangs a run for their money.