Beaver Times 2009 Edition 17 - Playoffs

With an even 6-6 record the Beavers limped into the playoffs. Luckily, all 4 teams make the playoffs, so it was more a matter of seeding, not IF.

Game one paired us with the Gap Finders. This was our opponent week one of fall, as well as week 4. Our record against these guys was 2-2 (shocking), but as we all know, the playoffs are a new season.

I was called out for the coin flip to determine home team. As the coin spun in the air, I called tails and nailed it. Beavers were to be home team.

The Gap Finders found few gaps in the first and the Beavers held them to 0 runs. There weren't many games this year where that happened in the first inning. Off to a good start. The Beavers came up in the bottom of the first, this time though, it was completely different. To welcome each Beaver to the plate was walk-up music. Some chosen by the individual hitter, some chosen by their teammates. Belle led off to the '70s song Ring My Bell. The umpire was laughing and amazed that we had actually gone through with the music. Maybe that is how Belle walked, doesn't matter, Belle on first. Jake hit second and the theme to Karate Kid escorted him to the plate. He felt the rush and drilled a ball over the left field fence. Theme music working!

Kid walked to the plate with Kid Rock screaming, he doubled. Big John then slowly walked to the plate as the song with the same name played from the bench. Big John, not knowing what his song was going to be could not contain himself and promptly got out. Dupper was next, Mama Said Knock You Out blared, Dupper singled. Sabo then walked to the dish with his Mr. Jones (Counting Crows). Not really sure the significance of this song, but he chose it, and it worked for him this AB - triple. Sonoma edited his song, Down with the Sickness, down to a brief 14 seconds. Almost long enough for his walk to the plate. He lifted a Sac fly to score Sabo. Two outs and Mobilly came to the plate. Since he was not in favor of this activity (music, not softball), we chose for him. Make 'em Say Uhh was chosen for him as he is known for his grunts when hits. It didn't work for him this time. Three outs, but 5 runs scored.

In the second the Gap Finders scored three runs of their own. Beavers led 5-3 for the bottom of the second and the remainder of the walk-up tunes. Santo came to the plate with a little John Fogerty and Centerfield - one out. Rake had to incorporate Beavers somehow, so Wynona's Big Brown Beaver by Primus played while he hit, he was able to reach on an error. P.T. chose 99 Problems but the Bitch Ain't One and used that negativity for good as he singled. The last hitter in the line up was Jimmy-D. Because of his scruffy look at times he has been called Jimmy-C (Christ) and to honor that he chose Personal Jesus. He hit a ball to short. Never would we have expected the SS to try for the play at home, but he did and he threw a perfect strike to the catcher to nail Rake at the dish. Belle then singled in PT for lone run in the inning. 6-3 Beavers.

The third was uneventful for both teams, 1-2-3 each.

Gap Finders added 2 in the 4th and the Beavers came up big again to answer them. 5 hits in a row, including HR by Sonoma and Rake plated 5 runs. Then two outs at the bottom of the order, then the top of the lineup had three straight hits to score another 2 runs. A 7 run outburst. Beavers were up 13-5.

The Gap Finders at this point were done. It was just a matter of time until they were 10-runned. That finally happened in the bottom of the 6th when Big John singled in Jake for the 16th run. Beavers win 16-6 and move on to the Championship game.

Beaver of the game goes to Sabo as he went 3-3 and missed the cycle by only the HR.

For the championship game it was back to the team Robinson, our opponent from the week prior. The Beavers were feeling good and rolled over the lineup from where it ended in the last game. This meant that Dupper was leading off.

Beavers came out as visitors and came out swinging. 5 runs scored in the top of the inning highlighted by a huge homerun by P.T. PT was also pitching well, allowing no runs in the 1st and only 2 in the second. Kid hit a solo shot in the 2nd, Beavers were up 6-2 after 2. In the third the Beavers added another 2 runs; Mobilly and Santo both driving one in.

Then the wheels fell off. Rake grounded a ball to short and the runner was out at second and on the play at first Rake collided with the first baseman who was in the basepath and hit the ground hard. Safe at first, but with a very sore leg. Rake took the brunt of the collision and paid the price. With the leg stiffening up, Big John took rightfield in the bottom half of the inning.

Needless to say, the ball found him, a couple of times. Compound two misplays with many well hit balls in front of and over the outfield the Beavers allowed 12 runs to score. An 8-2 lead was now an 8 - 14 deficit. That was it for the Beavers. Just like the air was sucked out of the Cardinals for the first round of the playoffs, so was it for the Beavers in the last two innings. managing one lone single by Jake the Beavers came in second place with a 19-8 loss.

Beaver of the game has to go to PT for his grand slam. No one saw that coming. It was huge at the time.

So there it is sports fans. Another Beaver season in the books. Beavers ended up 7-7 in the fall league. Some great competition and for the most part, great teams to match up against. There is some talk about getting the team back on the field in November (no, that is not a typo). Fenton offers a wood bat league for 5 weeks. It would be a first for the Beavers to participate in something like that. Stay tuned.

Otherwise, this off season I owe you all information on the annual winter warm up as well as many "Meet The Beavers" entries. I'll try to keep this going over the long 6 months until we start up next season. There has to be something to talk about...

Rake...out
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