WEEK 1 GAME # 1 - # 2 - # 3  CONCORD at GILEAD

Gilead starts the season off sweeping division rival Concord. They win all three games totally different than last year where we had to mash out 6 or 7 runs to win a game. These three games were won by pitching and defense. This included prized rookie Ian Anderson in his first start going 8 1/3 of no hit ball before giving a single and then being taken out of the game.  All games close as Gilead scored a total of 8 runs in the three games but found a way to win all three.

 4/ 4 COG  2  5  0  GGS  3  5  0      
      Z.Plesac (1-0)        M.Foster (0-1)

 4/ 5 COG  0  6  0  GGS  3  5  0      
      K.Gibson (1-0)        R.Porcello (0-1)

 4/ 6 COG  1  2  0  GGS  2  6  1      
      I.Anderson (1-0)      D.Peterson (0-1)

WEEK 1 - GAME # 2  BUSTERS at RICHMOND

The Richmond Banshees easily topped the Buster's Battalions; the final score was 16 to 6.

Richmond took the lead for good in the 5th inning scoring 5 runners on 4 hits. The key offensive moment was provided by Curt Casali who thrilled the crowd when he electrified the crowd with a Grand Slam home run.  Richmond bats were hot in the 5th inning with 5 runs on 4 hits and the 7th inning when they had 8 runs on 4 hits.  Richmond had a total of 14 hits for the game. 

Garrett Richards (1-0) picked up the victory, allowing no runs in 4 innings. Andrew Heaney (0-1) was the loser.  He allowed 3 homeruns in 4 and 1/3 innings of work. 

WEEKS 1 - 2 - 3 - 4  VIRGINIA DESTROYER RESULTS 
NEW MANAGER -  KEITH RIGGS - FIRST BLOCK OF GAMES
(HEY... WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE... IT WILL GET BETTER)

Virginia opens the season against Greensboro taking 2 of 3.

GAME # 1  4-3 Virginia - Laureano drives in winner in 8th.
GAME # 2  5-4 Greensboro - Dickerson has 3 hits and Mullins has a GW triple.
GAME # 3  1-0 Virginia - Dickerson stays hot but Laureano has another GHW in classic pitching duel.

Virginia hosts 2020 League Champion Stanford and quickly finds out that we have a long way to go before we can compete with the champs.

GAME # 1  3-1 Stanford - Tatis 3 run HR provides the winning runs.
GAME # 2  15-2 Stanford - Cruz has 5 rbi's and Virginia realizes they need better hitters.
GAME # 3  4-2 Virginia - Glad to get a win - Laureano has 2 HR's and Milone pitches 6 strong.

Virginia is excited coming off the win against Stanford and is 3-3 as they host Grand Rapids. The happiness quickly left.

GAME # 1  6-4 GR - Pavin Smith wins it in the 10th
GAME # 2  6-3 GR - Knocked Milone out early and collected 13 hits in team effort
GAME # 3  13-2  GR - Reyes goes 5 for 5 with 3 runs and 4 rbi's in rout as GR sweeps the series.

Virginia is now 3-6 and licking the wounds as Wrigley comes to town.

GAME # 1   3-2  Virginia gets a much needed win in a 15 inning game when Cronenworth delivers the winning run with a double.
GAME # 2   7-4 Wrigley - Moore's 3 run HR is the difference
GAME # 3   5-4 Wrigley - Moore drives in 3 more as Wrigley takes 2 of 3.

Virginia ends the month a disappointing 4-8.

WEEK 1  GAME # 3  VOLBEAT GHOST ARCHERS at ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS

This was a very weird Game... at least the start of the Game was weird.

In the top of the 1st Inning... 3 of the first 4 Batters for Volbeat had opportunities for Home Runs. Tommy Lestella crushed the first pitch of the game for a "4-bagger". After one out, Matt Olsen and Ronald Acuna just missed Home Runs and had to settle for back to back Doubles... and a 2-0 Volbeat lead.

When Rocky Mountain came up to bat in the bottom of the 1st inning, Eric Hosmer lead off with a Home Run on a  "6-3" Homer 1-12 shot. Then the second man up for the Oysters, Ryan Mountcastle "got all of it" on a "2-4" solid HR roll to tie the game at 2 runs apiece.

You probably wouldn't have expected it... but after all this excitement... the game turned into a pitching duel. George Springer did blast a Solo Homer in the 6th inning. 

Here's the recap of the game....

Eric Hosmer homered as the Rocky Mountain Oysters defeated the Volbeat Ghost Archers by the score of 4 to 2 at Centennial Field.

Rocky Mountain took the lead for good in the 6th inning plating one baserunner on 2 base hits.  Volbeat had a chance in the 9th but they came up short.

Antonio Senzatela (1-0) allowed 2 runs in 6 innings. Archie Bradley threw 8 pitches for a 1-2-3  7th inning... followed by Chad Green who also didn't give up anything. In fact, he struck out the side... on a total of 12 pitches. Nick Anderson earned his 1st save... in a shakey 9th inning. Although he fanning 3 batters... he gave up 2 hits to the first hitters he faced. Despite losing, DeGrom struckout 9 Rocky Mountain batters in 6 innings. 

"It was a tough one to lose" said Jason Kip "We'll get them next time out."
 

Ghost Archers... 2 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  2  7  1

Oysters.............. 2 0 0  0 0 1   0 1   -  4  7  0

WEEK 2 - McHENRY CYBERMEN vs CHICAGO MOB (Home & Away)

Young Evan travels to his old mans home to play some strat. First was 6 games in our CCBA league. Then Gussomo.

Unfortunately, Evan had to leave after game 4 to deal with an unexpected issue at his home. I played the last two games in our usual way. They were Mob home games anyway. The results of those games will be news to Evan here.

Cybermen take 2 of 3 at McHenry.

Mob wins first game at Chicago.

Mob was winning game 2 of the series 3 - 1 in the 8th. With one out, Wilsson Contreras is plunked. Jake Cave then rolls a BP HR 1 - 6 and gets the roll to tie the game. In the Cyberman 9th, Tim Anderson leads things off with another BP HR 1 - 6 roll and HE gets it. Mob is set down in order in the 9th and it's a come from behind win for McHenry County.

In game 3, Gio Urshela came up with a man on base 3 times, rolled a BP HR 1 - 6  3 times and got the freakin' roll all 3 times! That's 3 HR's and 6 RBI's as the Cyberman upgraded The Mob in game 3. In total, McHenry had 4 BP homers, missing only 1. That's 6 out of 7 BP HR rolls in the last 2 games. Chicago missed their only BP HR opportunity but it would not have mattered.

Makes up for a lot of stuff over the years.

McHenry 12 - 6

Chicago  10 - 5

Stop the Steinberg boys!

 4/10 CHM  5  6  0  MCH 12 16  0    
      T.Lakins (1-1)     G.Canning (1-1)

 4/11 CHM  1  8  0  MCH  6  9  0    
      E.Hernandez (1-1)  J.Brubaker (1-1)

 4/12 CHM  5 10  0  MCH  1  6  0    
      M.King (2-0)       L.Giolito (2-1)

 4/13 MCH  1  6  1  CHM  8 13  0    
      C.Rodon (2-0)      P.Corbin (1-1)

 4/14 MCH  5  9  0  CHM  3  6  2    
      Y.Almonte (2-1)    D.Bard (0-1)

 4/15 MCH 11 14  0  CHM  5  9  0    
      K.Kim (1-0)        G.Canning (1-2)

WEEK 4 # 2 - ALBANY INTERNATIONALS at NORTHWEST OHIO FRANCONIANS

Shortstop Andrelton Simmons had 2 base hits as the NW Ohio Franconians beat the Albany Internationals in 13 innings by a score of 5 to 4.

The game was deadlocked at 4 after nine full innings.  NW Ohio came out on top in the 13th inning.  Mark Canha drew a walk.  Anthony Bemboom stepped into the batter's box. "I know... I know... I know.... everyone wanted to hear me shout my trademark... 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
but unfortunately... Mike Schmidt was not the Batter"...... anyway....he laid down a sacrifice bunt.  Phillip Evans then was walked intentionally.  Rowdy Tellez followed and he stroked a one-base hit to load the bases.  Cavan Biggio stepped into the box and drew a walk giving NW Ohio the win and sending the home town fans into a frenzy.  NW Ohio rapped out 10 hits for the night. 

Internationals.. 2 0 1  0 1 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  0 -  4  9  0

Franconians..... 0 0 3  0 0 0  1 0 0  0 0 0  1 -  5 10  1

Anthony Bass (1-1) was the winner allowing no runs in 2 innings. Burch Smith (0-1) absorbed the loss in relief.  He gave up 1 run and 2 hits in 4 and 1/3 innings.

 

WEEK 8  GAME # 2 - ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS at NORTHWEST FRANCONIANS

The Rocky Mountain Oysters exploded for 11 runs in the 6th inning and had very little trouble at Progressive Field downing the NW Ohio Franconians.  The score was 26 to 5.

Whit Merrifield provided much of the offense.  He doubled plating two runs in the 2nd inning, doubled which brought home a run in the 6th inning and cracked a two-run shot in the 8th inning.  Rocky Mountain kept the scorekeepers busy in the 2nd inning which saw them score 8 runs on 7 hits and the 6th inning when they had 11 runs on 6 hits.  Rocky Mountain finished with 26 hits while NW Ohio ended up with 9. 

Ty Buttrey (2-0) got credit for the victory, pitching 2 and 1/3 innings and allowing no runs. Gio Gonzalez(0-2) ended up with the loss.  He served up 3 gopher balls in 9 innings. 

"I felt great out there tonight" Merrifield said.  "I was seeing the ball perfectly, and I was right on it with my swing".

Oysters............ 3 8 0  0 0 11  0 2 2  - 26 26  1

Franconians..... 0 3 0  0 0  0   0 0 2  -  5  9  0

WEEK 5 GAME # 2  LONG ISLAND HOUNDS at NORTHWEST OHIO FRANCONIANS

Catcher Salvador Perez knocked 3 homeruns and had 5 RBI at Progressive Field as the Long Island Hounds beat the NW Ohio Franconians 14 to 11.

Perez enjoyed a great evening at the plate.  He lofted a three-run bomb in the 1st inning, blasted a solo shot in the 5th inning and hit a bases-empty home run in the 8th inning.  NW Ohio threatened in the 9th but their rally came up short. 

Vince Velasquez (1-3) picked up the victory, allowing 4 runs in 5 innings. Gio Gonzalez (0-1) ended up with the loss.  Long Island knocked him around a bit, as he gave up 7 runs in 4 and 2/3 innings. 

Robert Morelli was just happy to get a win, "We've had such a bad streak of games -- boy, it's great to get the monkey off our back.  Now maybe we can relax a little and play the kind of baseball of which we are capable."

Hounds............ 4 2 0  0 1 1  3 3 0  - 14 17  2

Franconians..... 2 1 0  0 1 0  2 2 3  - 11 12  1

WEEK 9 GAME # 2   VOLBEAT GHOST ARCHERS at NORTHWEST FRANCONIANS

Mark Canha had 2 base hits as the NW Ohio Franconians came back to win one over Volbeat Ghost Archers, 5 to 4.

NW Ohio had the game winning rally in the bottom of the 9th inning scoring 2 runs using 2 hits.  Andrelton Simmons led off the inning for NW Ohio when he slapped a base-hit.  Brett Gardner struck out, unable to help the rally.  One out later, Yasmani Grandal then drew a walk.  Joey Wendle followed and he doubled giving NW Ohio the win much to the delight of the home town crowd. Overall NW Ohio out-hit Volbeat 11 to 5. 

Anthony Bass (2-3) got the win allowing no runs in 1 inning. The loss was charged to Kenley Jansen (0-1) in relief.  He gave up 2 runs and 2 hits in 2/3 of an inning. 

Bob Galvin was all smiles after the ballgame, "It sure was looking pretty dim there for a while, but our guys never gave up - and neither did our fans -they kept cheering us on.  What a sweet win!"

Ghost Archers... 0 0 0  0 3 1  0 0 0  -  4  5  1

Franconians..... 0 0 0  0 2 0  1 0 2  -   5 11  4

WEEK 6 GAME # 1  ALBANY INTERNATIONALS at MICHIGAN MARVELS

48,855 fans were treated to a fine game at Napolean Park as only one run separated the "Son" from the "Father" at game's end.  The Michigan Marvels won by the slimmest of margins, 5 to 4.

Both teams had scored 4 runs after nine full innings.  Michigan won it in the 11th inning.  After an out was recorded, Alex Verdugo drew a walk.  Corey Seager was a strikeout victim, unable to help out.  Dominic Smith then drew a walk.  Wil Myers was up next and he doubled giving Michigan the victory and sending the 48,855 home-town fans home happy.  Michigan won despite being out-hit by Albany 9 hits to 6. 

Drew Pomeranz (1-1) got the win allowing no runs in 1 inning. Trevor May (0-1) took the loss in relief.  He surrendered 1 run and 1 hit in 1/3 of an inning.

Internationals.. 0 0 2  1 0 0  0 1 0  0 0 -  4  9  0

Marvels......... ..0 0 1  0 0 0  1 0 2  0 1 -  5  6  0

WEEK 6 GAME # 2  RICHMOND BANSHEES at NORTHWEST OHIO FRANCONIANS

The Richmond Banshees ended a long winless drought and nipped the NW Ohio Franconians in 11 innings 3 to 2 at Progressive Field in a hard fought contest.

Both teams had scored 2 runs after nine full innings.  Finally, Richmond prevailed in the 11th inning.  Alex Dickerson lined a one-base hit, and an error was also committed.  Donovan Solano followed next and he hit a deep fly scoring the run.  Richmond finished with 8 hits in the victory. 

Diego Castillo (1-2) picked up the victory, allowing no runs in 1 inning. Raisel Iglesias earned his 5th save.  The losing pitcher was Anthony Bass  (1-3) in relief.  It was a tough loss for him as he did not allow an earned run in his 2 innings of work. 

Banshees.......... 1 1 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  0 1 -  3  8  0

Franconians..... 0 0 0  0 0 2  0 0 0  0 0 -  2  6  1

WEEK 5 GAME # 2  GREENSBORO SMOKE at WRIGLEY RAIDERS

Nick Senzel cleared three ducks from a very crowded pond with a grand slam as the Greensboro Smoke outscored the Wrigley Raiders 10 to 9.

Senzel provided much of the offense.  He caught a hold of a bad pitch for a Grand Slam homerun in the 3rd inning and doubled in the 8th inning.  Wrigley scored in 5 different innings, but their shaky pitching kept them from victory. 

Chris Paddack (4-2) was the winner allowing 7 runs in 5 and 2/3 innings. John Curtiss earned the save, his 6th.  Mike Minor (0-2) was tagged with the loss. He allowed 4 homeruns in 2 and 1/3 innings of work. 
 

Smoke........... 2 3 4  0 0 0  0 0 1  - 10 15  1

Raiders.......... 0 2 1  3 0 1  0 0 2  -   9 11  1

WEEK 6 GAME # 3  VOLBEAT GHOST ARCHERS at GILEAD GUNSLINGERS

Jacob Degrom went 5 and one third strong innings at Jericho Hill Park as the Volbeat Ghost Archers beat the Gilead Gunslingers 8 to 0.

Degrom (3-1) contributed a very nicely pitched game.  He surrendered only 1 hit and no walks in 5 and 1/3 innings.  Degrom chalked up 9 strikeouts reducing his ERA from 2.91 to 2.52.  Volbeat banged out 10 hits on the night. 

Kyle Gibson (4-2) ended up with the loss.  He served up 4 gopher balls in 6innings.

Ghost Archers... 0 0 0  2 2 2  0 0 2  -  8 10  0

Gunslingers....... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  0   1  1

WEEK 6 # 1  - CONCORD GRAPE at ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS

Daulton Varsho HIT FOR THE CYCLE and had 3 RBI as the Concord Grape defeated the Rocky Mountain Oysters by the score of 14 to 6 at Centennial Field.

Varsho provided the offensive punch. He doubled in the 2nd inning, smashed a two-run homer in the 5th inning, ripped a one-base hit in the 8th inning and tripled plating a run in the 9th inning.

Concord provided plenty of action in the 5th inning when they had 4 runs on 4 hits and the 9th inning WHEN THEY CLOBBERED ARCHIE BRADLEY with 4 runs on 5 hits.

Offensively, Concord was a juggernaut. They scored in 6 separate innings. The victory went to Matt Foster (1-2) who went 1 and 1/3 innings, allowing no runs. The losing pitcher was Adrian Houser (0-1). He was touched for 8 hits and 2 walks in 4 and 1/3 innings.

LONG ISLAND HOUNDS at WRIGLEY RAIDERS

Zach Eflin reeled off a total of 10 strikeouts as the Long Island Hounds beat the Wrigley Raiders by a score of 7 to 1.

Eflin (1-3) was in control of the game from the outset.  He didn't allow much, just 4 hits and no walks in 7 innings improving his ERA from 2.88 to 2.40. Long Island out-hit Wrigley for the game, 14 hits to 6. 

Mike Minor (0-4) was charged with the loss.  He served up 4 homeruns in his 8 and 1/3 innings.  Eflin didn't realize how many strikeouts he was racking up. When told he had 10 he was obviously surprised, "No kidding? Man, I knew that I had a decent total, but I didn't think I had K'd that many.  Say, that's pretty good, isn't it?"

Hounds.......... 0 0 1  0 0 5  0 0 1  -  7 14  0

Raiders.......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 1 0  -  1   6  0

 

[1]Hounds (7-24)            IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA  SCORESHEET

Z. Eflin WIN (1-3)           7        4    0    0      0   10     0    91     2.40  

P. Valdez                           2        2    1    1      1     0     0    30     4.50  

[1]Totals                           9        6    1    1      1    10     0
 

WEEK 10 - GAME # 3  FENWAY FAITHFUL at  NORTHWEST OHIO FRANCONIANS

Faithful............ 0 0 1   0 0 0  0 0 0  -  1  1  0

Franconians..... 5 2 0  1  1 1  1  x    - 11 14  0

Third baseman Joey Wendle slammed a homerun and had 3 RBI and Justin Dunn held Fenway to 1 hit as the NW Ohio Franconians crushed the pathetic Fenway Faithful 1NW Ohio promptly took the lead in their half of the first when they scored 5 runs on 6 hits.  That was all the offense they were to need.  Offensively, NWOhio was a juggernaut.  They scored in 6 separate innings. 

Dunn (4-6) picked up the complete game victory, allowing 1 run. Frankie Montas (2-4) was the loser.  He pitched 1/3 of an inning giving up 4 hits and1 walk.

WEEK 15 GAME # 3 -  VOLBEAT GHOST ARCHERS at LONG ISLAND HOUNDS

Tommy La Stella had 4 hits and 5 RBI as the Volbeat Ghost Archers smashed the overmatched, floundering, League Door Mat Long Island Hounds, 21 to 2.

La Stella was unconscious all evening.  The Long Island fans hated to see him approaching the batter's box as he just kept delivering base hits! He doubled in the 5th inning, doubled plating a run in the 8th inning, doubled bringing home two baserunners in the 8th inning and doubled plating two runs in the 9th inning.  Volbeat bats were hot in the 8th inning which saw them plate 12 runs on 9 hits and the 9th inning with 5 runs on 3 hits.  Volbeat had 18 hits for the night while Long Island had 9. 

The victory went to Martin Perez (6-6) who went 6 innings, allowing 2 runs. Rowan ("Laugh In") Wick (2-2) was tagged with the loss in relief.  He won the "Fickle Finger of Fate" Award in the game... as he got hit hard, allowing 18 hits and 9 walks in 7 innings. 

Ghost Archers... 0 0 0  1 0 2  11 2 5  - 21 18  0

Hounds.............. 0 2 0  0 0 0  0  0 0  -   2   9  0

WEEK 14 - GAME # 2  STANFORD ROBBER BARONS at ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS

Robber.......... 1 0 0  1 0 2  0 0 0  0 0 0  3 -  7 14  1

Oysters.......... 0 0 0  1 1 1  0 1 0  0 0 0  0 -  4 13  0

Are you kidding me?  A.J. Pollock???  The same Pollock that was a former member of the Piney Creek Palooka's (team name before we became the Rocky Mountain Oysters). The same Pollock that hit 2 Home Runs in 2013 and 8 Home Runs in 2015 for me. Well....  A.J. Pollock ripped 2 homeruns and had 4 RBI (with a SOM card that gives him 48 HR's for the "expanded" Season... really???..... anyway, he helped the Stanford Robber defeat the Rocky Mountain Oysters in 13 innings 7 to 4 at Centennial Field.

The score was knotted at 4 after nine innings.  Finally, Stanford pulled the game out in the 13th inning.  Christian Arroyo led off and got things going when he drew a walk.  Fernando Tatis Jr came next and he ripped a one-base hit.  Pollock then launched a three-run homer.  Stanford banged out 14 hits on the night. 

The victory was credited to Blake Treinen (3-3) who went 2 innings, allowing no runs. Archie Bradley (2-4) ended up with the loss in relief. 

"The ball was jumping off my bat" (no DUH!!) Pollock said.  "I didn't do anything differently, it's the same way I always approach the game." 

If the following song were "re-written" for Pollock.... it probably would go something like this....

Sugartime

The McGuire Sisters

Well...
PED's in the mornin'
PED's in the evenin'
PED's at suppertime
Be my little Steroid Junkie
And Hit Home Runs all the time

WEEK 16 - GAME # 2  SEATTLE PILOTS at CHICAGO MOB

A 3 run homer by Jesus Aguilar stakes Chicago to a 3 - 0 3rd inning lead.

Seattle fights back with a run in the 4th, 2 in the 5th and 1 in the 6th on a wild pitch with 2 outs. It looked bleak for our Boys in Green, down 4 - 3 in the 9th with super closer Edwin Diaz on the bump for The Pilots.

However, with one out, Edward Olivares coaxes a Walk from Diaz. Nick Solak strikes out for Joge Polanco. The roll is 1 - 8. HR 1 - 2 or out. 

The split deck churns for what seems like forever. The result is a 1!!

                                                        

                            Mob wins!! Mob wins!! Mob wins!! Mob wins!!

Fred Turtle races onto the field in his go-cart and leaps onto Polanco's back as he crosses home plate screaming "Hell, ya!  Hell, ya" over and over. 
A buffet featuring boiled shrimp awaits the team in the clubhouse.
  
                                                                                                                                                                              

WEEK 19  GAME # 2   ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS at CHICAGO MOB

Ke'Bryan Hayes gets a 2 out single in the 1st. In the 3rd inning he slugs a 3 run home run on a 1 - 4 roll, a solid blast. In the 6th Hayes rolls a 1 - 5 HR 1-14 or triple. The split is 20 so he has to settle for the triple, scoring later on a base hit. In the 7th, realizing that Ke'Bryan is a double away from the cycle, the roll is 1 - 11, double 1 - 15 or single. Wouldn't you know it, the split is 9 and Ke'Bryan Hayes has hit for the cycle! Haven't had that happen for any of my strat teams in a long time.  Hayes is currently slashing .424/.483/.723 for Chicago. The only real bright spot on the team.

WEEK 24  GAME # 1   VOLBEAT GHOST ARCHERS at ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS

In a close game it was the Volbeat Ghost Archers 4, the Rocky Mountain Oysters 2 in 14 innings at Centennial Field.

The score was tied at 2 after nine. Volbeat won the hard fought contest in the 14th inning.  After two were out Giancarlo Stanton keyed the rally when he drew a walk.  Stanton swiped second base.  Willy Adames then lifted one outof the park for a two run home run.  Volbeat finished with 8 hits in thevictory. 

Lucas Sims (3-3) picked up the victory, allowing no runs in 1 inning. Kenley Jansen gained credit for his 35th save.  The losing pitcher was Chad Green (7-6) in relief.  He surrendered 1 hit and 2 walks in 4 innings. 

Ghost Archers... 0 0 0  0 1 1  0 0 0  0 0 0  0 2 -  4  8  1

Oysters.............. 0 0 0  0 1 0  1 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 -  2  7  0

WEEK 24  GAME # 2   VOLBEAT GHOST ARCHERS at ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS

Trevor Story lofted one into the 'cheap seats' and had 3 RBI as the Rocky Mountain Oysters beat the Volbeat Ghost Archers by a score of 13 to 4.

Rocky Mountain went ahead for good in the 2nd inning scoring 2 runners on 2 hits.  The key offensive moment was provided by Eric Hosmer who made the home-town crowd a happy bunch when he doubled bringing home two baserunners. For the game Rocky Mountain out-hit Volbeat 11 to 6. 

The win was credited to Adrian Houser (5-7) who went 7 innings allowing no runs. The loss was charged to Tyler Glasnow (9-9).  He served up 3 gopher balls in 6 innings. 

Ghost Archers... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 4  -   4  6  0

Oysters.............. 0 2 4  4 1 0  2 0 x  - 13 11  1

WEEK 24  GAME # 3   VOLBEAT GHOST ARCHERS at ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS

Second baseman D.J. Lemahieu went deep and had 3 RBI at Centennial Field as the Volbeat Ghost Archers lost a heartbreaker to Rocky Mountain Oysters by the score of 11 to 9.

Rocky Mountain came through with the game-winning runs in the 9th inning plating 2 runs using 2 hits.  Trevor Story led off and started the rally whenhe doubled.  Yuli Gurriel came next and two times he fouled the ball off as he tried to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Oyster Manager, Jeff Fleischman took the sacrifice bunt play and gave Yuil the green light to swing away. The next pitch was to Gurriel's liking, and he clubbed a two-run home run giving Rocky Mountain the win much to the delight of the home town crowd. 

This was a game of many highs and lows for the home town fans, as the lead kept changing - 5 times in all. 

Nick Anderson (6-1) allowed no runs in 2 innings, and picked up the victory. J.B. Wendelken (1-3) absorbed the loss in relief.
 

Ghost Archers... 4 1 0  0 0 1  3 0 0  -   9 16  1

Oysters.............. 0 0 0  3 3 2  1 0 2  - 11 16  1

WEEK 23  GAME # 3   MISSISSIPPI BIG ORANGE at WRIGLEY RAIDERS

Mike Minor took a no-hitter into the 6th inning as the Wrigley Raiders bested the Mississippi Big Orange 3 to 2 at Wrigley Field.

Jonathan Holder (1-1) slammed the door shut in an excellent relief performance. He didn't give up much, just 1 hit and no walks in 2 innings lowering his ERA from 5.04 to 4.73.  The left-handed Minor had his no-hit bid broken up by Phil Gosselin who doubled with nobody out in the 6th inning.  The Mississippi offense proved no trouble in the 9th. 

Taylor Williams got the save, his 6th.  Stefan Crichton (4-3) took the loss inrelief.  He allowed 2 hits and 1 walk in 1 inning.

Big Orange...... 0 0 0  0 0 2  0 0 0  -  2  6  1

Raiders............. 0 0 0  1 0 0  1 1 x -  3  6  2

WEEK 24  GAME # 2   McHENRY COUNTY CYBERMEN at GOTHAM CITY BATMEN

The Gotham City Batmen enjoyed a blow-out, pounding the McHenry County Cybermen pitchers for 14 runs, while Sonny Gray (9-10)with bullpen support surrendered 3 runs to McHenry County.

Aristides Aquino was spectacular at the plate.  The hometown fans showed their appreciation with a standing ovation his last time at bat.  He stroked a base-hit scoring two baserunners in the 5th inning, doubled plating a run in the 7th inning and launched a three-run homer in the 8th inning.  Gotham City had 12 hits for the night while McHenry County had 5. 

Kwang Hyun Kim (7-4) suffered the loss.  He was not very effective, surrendering 7 runs in 4 and 1/3 innings.  "Everything seemed to click tonight," Aquino said "if it could only be this easy all the time!"

Cybermen........ 0 0 0  0 1 0  0 2 0  -   3  5  1

Batmen............ 3 0 0  0 6 0  1 4 x  - 14 12  0

WEEK 25  GAME # 1   MISSISSIPPI BIG ORANGE at WASHINGTON SENATORS

The Mississippi Big Orange destroyed the league leading Washington Senators by the score of 14 to 3.  (Seems to be a popular score, when you look up at the last game posted in Block # 6)

Robbie Grossman launched 2 homeruns and had 3 RBI as the Mississippi Big Orange man-handled the Washington Senators - the final score was 14 to 3.

Grossman led the offense for Mississippi.  He lofted a solo-blast 'downtown' in the 1st inning and clubbed a two-run home run in the 6th inning.  The Mississippi offense man-handled the Washington pitching staff as they scored in 7 of the 9 innings. 
The victory was credited to Jon Lester(11-11) who went 7 innings, allowing 2 runs. Ryan Weber (10-5) was hit with the loss.  He served up 6 gopher balls in 7 and 2/3 innings. 

"Thankfully we got ourselves a win", Lester said. "It's great to be back on the winning side of things."

Big Orange...... 1 0 0  2 1 5  1 3 1  - 14 18  0

Senators........... 0 1 0  0 1 0  0 0 1  -   3  7  0