After a rainout of the games scheduled for May 12th, the games scheduled for May 19th were not looking too possible either. Rainy day, followed by rainy day finally gave way for 2 straight days of sunshine. Somehow the ground soaked up all of the inches of rain and the field was in great shape for the double header on the 19th.
The night's opponent was another new team; the Bucks. The Bucks entered the night 2-2 in the young season, the Beavers were off to a 3-1 start. Two no-shows for the Beavers left the club with 2 less pitching options as Big John and PT both were out. The Beavers were the visiting team in the 1st game and came out flat. Going down 1-2-3 in the first and trying to put something together in the 2nd. With runners on first and second Gee singled to left center (virtually hitting it to the opposite field for Gee) Mobilly was then gunned down at the plate as he did not have a good jump on the hit. Luckily The Bucks were not ripping the cover off the ball either. After 2 innings it was 0-0 and quite the sleeper.
Tanner led off the 3rd with a single and it appeared he might be stranded there when the bottom of the order could not move him around, then the top of the order began to hit. Deuce lifted a ground-rule double down the hill and Sabo singled them both in for a 2-0 lead. Mobilly, on the mound, kept the Bucks bats silent with another shutout inning in the third as he switched from side to side of the rubber and varying his pitching style with nearly every pitch.
Mobilly led off the 2nd with a double which prompted a "way to pick up your base running" from the Beavers bench. He was moved the third by Dupper and driven home by a Sacrifice fly by Rake for a 3-0 lead. The Bucks started to take advantage of the Beavers slow start. They chased around 2 runs in the bottom of the 4th. This game was way to close for what it should be on paper. But, since we play on dirt and grass, that did not matter.
In the 5th Tanner got on base again with a double and scored on a singe by Santo. Going into the 6th it was a too-close-for-comfort 4-2. Then something changed. It's hard to say what triggers a huge change in momentum. Maybe the beer was kicking in. Maybe the Beavers were just beginning to forget their 9 to 5 and start relaxing, maybe everyone just needed a swing or two to get ready for the night...but it was time to hit.
The Beavers batted all 11 guys in the 6th. A barrage of singles and doubles. Singles by Sabo, Kid, Mobilly, Rake and Jimmy-D. Doubles by Gee (now being called Glee by Kid), Tanner and Santo. Most of the inning was made possible by a mental mistake by the Bucks SS. A grounder up the middle with Rake on first. The SS bobbled the ball temporarily, but still had time to beat Rake to 2nd by a step opted to just throw to first for the PO. The first baseman expected the FC and second and was no where near 1st. That E opened the flood gates for 4 additional runs in that inning for a total of 6.
After the Bucks scored one of their own in the 6th, the Beavers kept the hitting up in the 7th. Hitting around was not enough in this frame. The first 8 hitters all reached base safely. Singles by Sabo and Kid were chased around by a HR by Mobilly. A triple by Dupper was scored easily on a HR by Rake. Singles by Belle, Glee, Tanner and Deuce were then plated by doubles by Kid and Mobilly (his 6th RBI in 2 innings). Dupper then tripled for the 2nd time in one inning (maybe a Beaver record). Rake then drove home Dupper again, this time with a single. At the end of 6 and 1/2 the Beavers were now up 23-4.
Dupper took the hill to close out the game and allowed 3 runs, but not nearly enough to make this game interesting in the box score.
Beaver of the game goes to Mobilly for his 5-5, 6RBI, 2 doubles, 1 HR and 6 innings of 3-run pitching. Honorable mention goes to Rake 3-4, 5 RBI, 1 HR and Tanner 4-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI.
Effort of the game goes to Gee who while playing first base came in on a low looping foul ball. Determined to at least make the play look like it was close, Gee dove headlong for the ball (basically after the ball landed). Missing the catch, but providing plenty of entertainment.
Game two started slow. The first inning there was nothing happening for either team. Again a goose-egg for the Bucks in the 2nd inning. For the Beavers Sabo led off with a single, Kid did the same...and with the entire bench harassing Mobilly about his ridiculously tall black socks Mobilly shut the peanut gallery up with his 2nd HR of the night. Some of the comments which were caught were "does Michelle know you have her knee highs on?", "Michelle will be pissed that you are stretching out her stockings" and "Your mascara is running too". Good times. Good job in answering, Mobilly. Beavers were up 3-0.
The Bucks cut the lead to 3-2 helped by the juggling error by Rake at 2nd base. A potential DP ball was hit to SS, on the flip to 2nd Rake bobbled the ball, not once, not twice, probably at least 3 times plus. Similar to a hacky sack...but falling to the ground in the end.
The game would not be close for long. For the 3rd time in the 2 games the Beavers batted around. Again the 1st 8 Beavers reached base. Primarily singles and doubles...the Beavers were slowing up on the bases and not taking the extra base as this was becoming a blow out quickly. Beavers went out to take different positions in the field. At times it looked like a little league practice with everyone playing out of position. At this time, the team was relaxed and in control. Then the Beavers are like this, they are hard to beat...and sometimes hard to score upon.
The Bucks scored one lone run in the 4th and the Beavers hit around for the 4th time in the 4th. Singles, doubles, errors (which were mounting for the Bucks) kept scoring more Beavers. Perfectos for the night belonged to Santo (3-3), Kid (3-3) and Dupper (3-3).
The game was called by the mercy rule after 4 innings at 17-3.
Due to performance under pressure of the bench, I will award Mobilly the Beaver of the Game for game 2 as well. (2-3, HR, 4 RBI and reached on an error).
Play of the game happened against the Beavers in the 4th inning. Santo led off with a single, Jimmy-D then grounded a ball to the 3rd baseman. He threw to second for the FC, but the ball deflected off his glove and went to the SS who was backing up the throw. The SS, then threw back to the 2nd baseman to still force out the pokey Santo. So if you are scoring at home that out was recorded 5-4-6-4 FC.
Next game is May 26th at 8pm vs. Ivey-Selkirk. This team took the year off last year and seem to be formidable again this year. It should be a good match up and hopefully the Beavers will show up and hit like the did in the 2nd half of both of these games.
beaverball.blogspot.com
Monday, May 24, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition III
Hola! Y la bienvenida a cinco de mayo de béisbol.
Fittingly on Cinco de Mayo the Beavers played Team USA. It was another amazing night for softball. Temperatures covering in the upper 60's. Only thing that was working against us was a high wind blowing in from left field. More on that in a bit.
To celebrate our friends to the south the game beer was Corona Light and Tecate...mmm, cerveza! Oh, and don't forget the lime juice for good measure. While chips and salsa would have been a nice accompaniment, we stuck with the liquid-only diet for the games.
Belled spelled Tanner in this game as Tanner came down with some unexplainable eye injury and Belle was back from finishing his Wed night hockey league. Thanks to Tanner for keeping the score book for the night. Most legible book in years...and probably the toughest official scorer on the Beavers with the power of the pen. We'll see how forgiving he was with the hits vs. errors.
Beavers took to the field as the home team in game one and the first batter laced a fly ball to right center. Belle, his first time seeing a fly ball since September completely misjudged the ball...broke in for it as it screamed over his head. A quick adjustment and the runner was held to a triple...and then stranded for the remainder of the inning.
In the bottom of the inning the Beavers loaded the bases on 3 singles only to strand the go-ahead and first run at third as well. Team USA came out hitting in the second. Primarily shooting singles into center field...they were able to chase around 3 runs and take the early lead. The Beavers clawed back. Belle reached on a single, Gee reached on an error, Santo reached on an error then the next two guys walked with the bases loaded giving rather cheap RBI to Jimmy-D and Deuce. Beavers were down by 1.
There was no scoring in the 3rd for either team. For the Beavers, Dupper was the final out for the 2nd time out of 3 innings. In the 4th Team USA plated another 3 runs, while the Beavers led off their half with a triple by Rake...they were not able to score his with a series of outs to the shortstop - PITIFUL!
Team USA added two more in the 5th, while the Beavers bats remained on Siesta. In the 6th Team USA scored one again and the Beavers started off a rally. Sabo doubled and scored on Kid's line drive single. Then came our menacing 4,5 & 6 hitters. Big John jumped on one but hit it high into the left field wind for out #1. Mobilly then looked at strike 3 (I had threatened to bring a Sombrero to the game that had to be worn when someone struck out, lucky for Mobilly I was unable to find a sombrero). Dupper then hit one deep to left that again was held up by the wind. A great chance to come back was thwarted. Dupper ended his third inning in three AB.
Team USA put the nail in the ataúd (coffin) in the 7th scoring 5 more times. The Beavers were deflated and I believe it was Kid who said "we can relax and just have fun now". Isn't that what we are supposed to be doing every week? The now "relaxed" Beavers started a rally in the bottom of the 7th. After Rake popped out to right Belle, Gee and Santo all reached base and scoring one. PT then hit a sacrifice fly to score the 2nd run. With two outs Jimmy-D grounded out to third. Rally over, Game over.
Final score was Team USA 14, Beavers 5. This was the same team that beat us for the championship last year, so they seemed to have our number. MVB of the game goes to ... no one...let's face it, none of us deserved it.
Luckily the Beavers don't stay down for long. Game two started off much better. Deuce was able to get one past the right fielder for a ground rule double, Sabo reached on a FC error, Big John hit a sac fly, then Mobilly singled in one, Dupper doubled in one and Rake singled in another. Then the middle of the lineup hits, it is a beautiful thing. 4 runs early for the good guys.
Big John took the mound in the 2nd game. He breezed through the first inning and according our books was untouched in the 2nd frame as well. According to Team USA later in the game they scored once in the 2nd, but that seems awfully suspicious. Either way, the Beavers were determined to not let that one run decide the game. In the top of the 2nd the Beavers added to their lead. Seven hits brought around another 5 runs. The top of the order all hit and the rally was extinguished when Mobilly tried to stretch a single into a double. But the damage was done...Beavers were up 9-0 (or 9-1).
The Beavers continued to score in the 3rd and 4th. Dupper led off the 3rd with a single and was drove in later in the inning by a single by Santo before PT would have been the 2nd player to wear the sombrero when he looked at strike 3. In the 4th Sabo reached on a error to the Shortstop then Kid made it hurt by driving one to the right center alley. The wind seemed to be aiding fly balls to this area of the field, but let's don't take anything away from this hit. Kid's ball rolled all the way down to the building near the tennis courts. While Team USA tried the "ground rule double" approach, it was a live ball and an easy dinger.
During all of this Team USA was able to find home plate a few times off of Big John, but they were well out of the game. Somehow able to play 7 innings again, the Beavers were win 13-6 (or 13-7). Beavers are now 3-1 on the young season and had proved that they can beat anyone when they play well.
MVB of the game goes to Kid and his 4-RBI night.
One things that can't be overlooked is the defense by Deuce over the night. Deuce ranged in and back to bring in fly balls. He also had two assists on outs at home plate. One throw being a strike to Jimmy-D early in game 1, another in game 2 when he basically rolled the ball through the legs of Rake and Big John only to find Jimmy-D at home to apply the tag. It was a play that took everyone on both sides by surprise. I don't think Jimmy-D has ever had two PO at home in one night. Will have to check the record books on that one.
That's it for Cinco De Beaver. A split is not what the team was looking for, but the renaissance in the 2nd game lifted the spirits and has the team ready for early games next week on May 12 again on field 2. Hopefully the wind is either not blowing in hard from left field, or the team is able to adjust and stop hitting fly balls into the wind. Without that wind, the scores of the games would have been much more lopsided for the Beavers. There were some fly balls that typically would be doubles of homers that were easy fly outs to a deep left fielder...
Fittingly on Cinco de Mayo the Beavers played Team USA. It was another amazing night for softball. Temperatures covering in the upper 60's. Only thing that was working against us was a high wind blowing in from left field. More on that in a bit.
To celebrate our friends to the south the game beer was Corona Light and Tecate...mmm, cerveza! Oh, and don't forget the lime juice for good measure. While chips and salsa would have been a nice accompaniment, we stuck with the liquid-only diet for the games.
Belled spelled Tanner in this game as Tanner came down with some unexplainable eye injury and Belle was back from finishing his Wed night hockey league. Thanks to Tanner for keeping the score book for the night. Most legible book in years...and probably the toughest official scorer on the Beavers with the power of the pen. We'll see how forgiving he was with the hits vs. errors.
Beavers took to the field as the home team in game one and the first batter laced a fly ball to right center. Belle, his first time seeing a fly ball since September completely misjudged the ball...broke in for it as it screamed over his head. A quick adjustment and the runner was held to a triple...and then stranded for the remainder of the inning.
In the bottom of the inning the Beavers loaded the bases on 3 singles only to strand the go-ahead and first run at third as well. Team USA came out hitting in the second. Primarily shooting singles into center field...they were able to chase around 3 runs and take the early lead. The Beavers clawed back. Belle reached on a single, Gee reached on an error, Santo reached on an error then the next two guys walked with the bases loaded giving rather cheap RBI to Jimmy-D and Deuce. Beavers were down by 1.
There was no scoring in the 3rd for either team. For the Beavers, Dupper was the final out for the 2nd time out of 3 innings. In the 4th Team USA plated another 3 runs, while the Beavers led off their half with a triple by Rake...they were not able to score his with a series of outs to the shortstop - PITIFUL!
Team USA added two more in the 5th, while the Beavers bats remained on Siesta. In the 6th Team USA scored one again and the Beavers started off a rally. Sabo doubled and scored on Kid's line drive single. Then came our menacing 4,5 & 6 hitters. Big John jumped on one but hit it high into the left field wind for out #1. Mobilly then looked at strike 3 (I had threatened to bring a Sombrero to the game that had to be worn when someone struck out, lucky for Mobilly I was unable to find a sombrero). Dupper then hit one deep to left that again was held up by the wind. A great chance to come back was thwarted. Dupper ended his third inning in three AB.
Team USA put the nail in the ataúd (coffin) in the 7th scoring 5 more times. The Beavers were deflated and I believe it was Kid who said "we can relax and just have fun now". Isn't that what we are supposed to be doing every week? The now "relaxed" Beavers started a rally in the bottom of the 7th. After Rake popped out to right Belle, Gee and Santo all reached base and scoring one. PT then hit a sacrifice fly to score the 2nd run. With two outs Jimmy-D grounded out to third. Rally over, Game over.
Final score was Team USA 14, Beavers 5. This was the same team that beat us for the championship last year, so they seemed to have our number. MVB of the game goes to ... no one...let's face it, none of us deserved it.
Luckily the Beavers don't stay down for long. Game two started off much better. Deuce was able to get one past the right fielder for a ground rule double, Sabo reached on a FC error, Big John hit a sac fly, then Mobilly singled in one, Dupper doubled in one and Rake singled in another. Then the middle of the lineup hits, it is a beautiful thing. 4 runs early for the good guys.
Big John took the mound in the 2nd game. He breezed through the first inning and according our books was untouched in the 2nd frame as well. According to Team USA later in the game they scored once in the 2nd, but that seems awfully suspicious. Either way, the Beavers were determined to not let that one run decide the game. In the top of the 2nd the Beavers added to their lead. Seven hits brought around another 5 runs. The top of the order all hit and the rally was extinguished when Mobilly tried to stretch a single into a double. But the damage was done...Beavers were up 9-0 (or 9-1).
The Beavers continued to score in the 3rd and 4th. Dupper led off the 3rd with a single and was drove in later in the inning by a single by Santo before PT would have been the 2nd player to wear the sombrero when he looked at strike 3. In the 4th Sabo reached on a error to the Shortstop then Kid made it hurt by driving one to the right center alley. The wind seemed to be aiding fly balls to this area of the field, but let's don't take anything away from this hit. Kid's ball rolled all the way down to the building near the tennis courts. While Team USA tried the "ground rule double" approach, it was a live ball and an easy dinger.
During all of this Team USA was able to find home plate a few times off of Big John, but they were well out of the game. Somehow able to play 7 innings again, the Beavers were win 13-6 (or 13-7). Beavers are now 3-1 on the young season and had proved that they can beat anyone when they play well.
MVB of the game goes to Kid and his 4-RBI night.
One things that can't be overlooked is the defense by Deuce over the night. Deuce ranged in and back to bring in fly balls. He also had two assists on outs at home plate. One throw being a strike to Jimmy-D early in game 1, another in game 2 when he basically rolled the ball through the legs of Rake and Big John only to find Jimmy-D at home to apply the tag. It was a play that took everyone on both sides by surprise. I don't think Jimmy-D has ever had two PO at home in one night. Will have to check the record books on that one.
That's it for Cinco De Beaver. A split is not what the team was looking for, but the renaissance in the 2nd game lifted the spirits and has the team ready for early games next week on May 12 again on field 2. Hopefully the wind is either not blowing in hard from left field, or the team is able to adjust and stop hitting fly balls into the wind. Without that wind, the scores of the games would have been much more lopsided for the Beavers. There were some fly balls that typically would be doubles of homers that were easy fly outs to a deep left fielder...
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