The spectators at Friday night’s match-up between the Blazers and Genies were treated to a game filled with solid hitting and some dazzling defensive plays.

When the Rec Baseball League game was over, the Blazers were on top by a score of 19-11.

Genies catcher Cody Allen guards the plate as Blazers base runner John Abney approaches during a game Friday at Youth Sports Inc. The Blazers and Genies play in the Rec Baseball league.

At least that was the best guess of the Blazers’ coaching staff, as the games for the 9- and 10-year-olds are not officially scored. The focus of the league is on having a good time in a non-competitive environment.

Blazers coach John Pfeifer thought his team was where it needed to be at this point in the season.

“I saw a lot of improvement in fielding and our bats continued to be alive,” Pfeifer said.

The Blazers jumped out to a fast start in the top of the first inning. Thomas Foster, Easton Barnes, John Abney and Peter Pottoref all scored to put their team up 4-0.

The Genies’ bats responded in the bottom of the inning. Conner Thellman and Maurice Jacobs singled, then David Lemon sliced a double down the right field line to score Thellman.

Blazers pitcher Chase Besser made a nice play on a ground ball to end the inning.

The offensive and defensive excitement continued in the Blazers’ half of the second inning.

First, Genies shortstop Alex Young fielded a grounder and threw to Kit Rice for a force-out at second base. Then Abney stroked a ball into the outfield to drive in a run.

In the bottom of the frame, Jose Rodriguez and Jacobs both drove in runs. Blazers pitcher Pottoref was struck in the shin by a line drive, but shook it off and stayed in the game.

The top of the third inning featured a well-hit double by Barnes and a nice catch by Genies rightfielder Alex Young.

The Blazers turned a double play in the bottom of the inning. Blazers shortstop David Petr caught a fly ball, then delivered a strike to first base to double off the Genies runner who was still between first and second bases.

Genies second baseman Lemon made a fine play in the top of the fourth inning, fielding a ground ball and having the presence of mind to tag out the Blazers base runner.

The Genies’ bats began to heat up in the bottom of the frame. Clayton Rials and Marcus Jacobs both doubled. Rodriguez followed with a single to score Rials. Blazers first baseman Abney helped slow the Genies’ momentum with some defensive work, taking a ground ball to the bag himself for the second out of the inning.

Not to be outdone, Genies shortstop Cody Stowe had a fine stop of his own in the next inning.

The Genies rallied again in their half of the fifth and final inning. Twins Maurice and Marcus Jacobs had back-to-back hits.

At one point in the inning, there was a head-on collision at first base between Genies’ base runner Cody Allen and Barnes, who was playing first base for the Blazers.

Amazingly, Barnes held on to the ball despite being launched backwards, and jumped up as if nothing had happened. Allen was also fine after the play. The Genies scored five runs in the inning, but the league’s five-run-per-inning limit meant that they wouldn’t have a chance to come back and win.

Despite the score, Genies coach Nathan Young saw some positive things to take away from the game.

“Every kid on the team made contact with the ball,” he said.