Sometime it takes just half an inning to change your perspective.
The Fatima Comets could do little right in the first 4 1/2 innings Saturday against the Blue Springs Wildcats in the fifth-place game of the Capital City Invitational at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
Playing their fourth game in less than 48 hours, the Comets were out of experienced pitching and were feeling the effects of playing all those innings. The Wildcats took advantage, sending at least nine batters in to the plate in three different innings on their way to a 19-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.
The Comets would need to score 10 runs in its half of the fifth to extend the game.
Fatima scored nine. And had the potential 10th on third when the final out was recorded as Blue Springs 'held on' for a 19-9 victory.
"We didn't just flop, we didn't lay down," Fatima coach Scott Kilgore said. "We can't give up, even through we're beat up and out of pitching. We still have to compete and fight and they did that in the fifth."
The first five Comets reached base in the fifth. The next two recorded outs before five straight hits made the score 19-9 and had a runner at third.
Gage Bax had two singles, scored twice and drove in two runs in the inning for the Comets.
Josef Keilholz had two singles, scored twice and had an RBI.
Skyler Dickneite had a two-run triple to bring home the final two runs. He also scored once.
Tyler Wolfe and Cole Mertens also drove in runs in the inning.
"This team can score some runs," Kilgore said.
The Comets sent some inexperienced pitchers to the mound Saturday.
"We had the chance to see some kids who don't normally pitch for us go out there and show us what they could do," Kilgore said. "Some of the guys that got to play showed us that they can play at this level."
One of those players was Tony Bock. The third of four Fatima pitchers Saturday, the sophomore provided a pair of good innings on the mound in his first varsity game.
"He made a bit of a statement, he showed he can pitch some in relief for us," Kilgore said.
Blue Springs finished with 20 hits in the game, including a two-run home run to center by Caleb Marquez.
Fatima ended the three-day event with a 1-3 record.
"We would have liked to have finished 2-2 like we have done in the past, but unfortunately that didn't happen," Kilgore said.
Fatima (8-4) will play Tuesday at Eugene.
In the seventh-place game Saturday morning at the Legion Complex, Eureka defeated Lutheran St. Charles 9-5.
Other Capital City Invitational coverage:
Young arm, bats lead Helias past Jefferson City
Struggle in the second inning costs Blair Oaks against Hickman