Week 3 in the books, and the Tarpons fought hard but came out on the wrong end.

Game 1 vs the undefeated Trash Pandas

This one was a defensive struggle through most of the game as the crosswind from left to right knocked down anything hit to left. The Pandas started things off with one in the first, and the Tarpons didn’t answer. Pandas were held scoreless in the 2nd inning and then the Tarpons got on the board after a 2 run single by Barth and then a RBI 2B from Tae Lee.  In the 3rd, the Pandas put up 3, while the Tarpons went down silently. In the 4th, the Pandas would not score but this time it was the Tarpons chance to draw blood. A leadoff BB by Shorty, then single by Reitz, BB by Mendoza set up a scoring chance for the veteran Michael Barth. He delivered with a 2 RBI single and the Tarpons were within 1, down 4-3.  In the top of the 5th the Pandas would add one to their lead to make it 5-3. The Tarpons put up a goose egg in the bottom of the 5th, as did the Pandas in the top of the 6th. The bottom of the 6th is when the momentum really swung in favor of the Pandas. We started with a leadoff 1b, followed by a 2b from Shorty, and then a BB from Reitz. With bases loaded and no outs there was a sharp ground ball hit to Randy Ransom (who had already made a great play earlier in the game), and he tagged 3b and got the runner into a run down that ultimately was called out. Big double play to basically cut the inning to no runs (yes that was a lot of noise for no runs). Fueled by that defensive effort, the Pandas came up in the top half of the 7th and put up 4 big insurance runs that propelled the Pandas to their 5th W of the season, with the final tally being 9-3.  The game was closer than the final score indicates. Kudos to good pitching and defense from both teams, but the Pandas just made more plays.

 

Game 2 had the Tarpons licking our wounds headed to field 2 to try to redeem ourselves with the 2nd place team in the division, the Rumble Ponies. This time the Tarpons would get out on top early, scoring 3 quick runs off a Shorty BB, Reitz 1b, Enlow 2b, capped by a Mendoza 2RBI 1b. The Rumble Ponies, not to be outdone put up 5 of their own in the bottom half of the 1st, to make it 3-5. We would add another run in the 2nd with a Tae Lee 3b followed by a laser RBI 1b by Chris Keller. The ponies would answer again with 2 in the bottom half. The Tarpons decided to wake up the bats a bit in the 3rd with a leadoff 2b, followed by a Shorty 1b, Reitz RBI 1b, Enlow RBI 1b, Mendoza RBI 1b, and then a bases clearing Shalomer by Ro sent the fish’s dugout into a feeding frenzy. This was our best inning so far on the day and gave us our first lead of the day, 10-7. The Ponies weren’t having any of that so in the bottom half of the frame they put 4 more on the board for an 11-10 lead in which they would never relinquish, final tally is Ponies 15 Tarpons 10.

Tarpons Players of the week:

Michael Reitz 4-4, 4 runs, 3 RBI, 2BB’s

Rohit Gulhati 4-5, 5RBI, HR

Chris Keller 4-6, RBI

Aces – 14 vs. AquaSox – 4

Who am I? What is my purpose in life? If one set of pliers is called a pair of pliers, what do you call two of them?  The AquaSox were on a journey of self-discovery looking for answers to these deep questions and seem to have forgotten that there was a sports ball game to play.

The first two innings were a bad trip, man. Rookie Captain Andy Williams’ Aces came out firing away with home runs from Drew Wags and sub Dylan Hartley as well as hits from all over the lineup.  The AquaSox didn’t do ourselves any favors either with numerous errors and defensive miscues.

The only offensive production we were able to muster was on a Mark Morris RBI walk and Rick Halperin sac fly.

 The defense was cleaned up during the final 3 innings, but it was already too late in a 14-4 run rule loss.  Yikes!

AquaSox – 10 vs. Biscuits – 7

After laying a fat turd against the Aces, the AquaSox needed to come back to the reality that we were, in fact, playing softball.  Next up we had Edgerton’s Biscuits.  With both teams coming off losses, the 0 had to go for one of us.

Joey Welter got things going with a double, and Will Ryan would send him home on a double of his own for our first and only run in the 1st inning.

Three more runs would be plated in the 2nd inning, starting with a Brian Osgood single, sub Ryan Greenberg single, Captain Keke RBI single, Mark Morris RBI single, and Ron Roberts RBI fielder’s choice. 

Joey Welter absolutely crushed a no doubter fence bomb to start the 3rd inning.  This was followed up with a Stutz double and Osgood RBI double.  AquaSox 6- 4ish? (it was close the entire game that’s all I remember).

After a quiet 4th inning, the AquaSox finally broke this game open in the 5th.  Stutz got that offensive mo-mo going with a leadoff triple, and he would be sent home on a Will Ryan RBI single.  Nick “Boom Boom” Croce would add a single of his own.  Osgood stepped up to the plate and showed off his improved athleticism with a 3 run inside the park “Shalomer”.

Edgerton’s Biscuits refused to go away quietly and put up one heck of a fight, but fell just short in the bottom of the 7th inning as the AquaSox walked away with our first victory of the season 10-7.

AquaSox Toad-ally Rad Players of the Week:

Chris Stutz 4-5 with 3B, 2B, 2 singles, 2 walks, 2 runs, lockdown LCF defense

Brian OsGreat 3-7 with a Shalomer HR, 2B, single, 4 RBI, 2 runs, excellent defense in RCF

Rick Halperin 2-4 with 2 singles, sac fly, 2 RBI, pretty much our entire offense game 1

Mark Morris 3-5 with 3 singles, walk, 2 RBI, 1 run, rock solid at 2B making several key plays

Captain promises all expenses paid trip to Cabo for 2 wins and 2 losses

With the Playoffs looming in the not too distant future, the Captain ponders the team's playoff scenarios. After about 30 seconds the only scenario appears. Win 2 games and the Sea Wolves lose 2 and the number 2 seed is in Brooklyn. If that happens its Cabo for a month. So first up was the Brats from clan Buhrow. With the wind on field 2 blowing slightly out it looked to be set up for offensive game. Both Ariel Rodriguez and Abel Chavez had other ideas. First inning starts off moderately with both teams grabbing 2 to start. Rohit's leadoff single and Ryan Driggers dinger accounted for both of the Dodgers runs. Ariel and Leo Cova both had hits as well but were unable to cross home plate. Carlos Lopez grabbed a single in the second but no damage from either team was posted in the 2nd. The Brats managed another run in the third but the dodgers top it with a Rohit single and back to back doubles by Ryan and Ariel. A big inning became a possibility after Ariels 2b when both Jacob Stites and Matt Casey walked to load the bases but the captain came up short on knocking them in. After getting out of that inning the Brats seemed fired up and grabbed 5 runs in the 4th to take the lead. The Dodgers then tried to answer with Steve Enda and Dwayne Henson getting singles and Jay Swank drawing a walk to load the bases with only 1 out. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, some guy named Luke for the brats and made a great play for 2 outs ending the inning. The defense then started kicking in for the Dodgers and shut the Brats out for the rest of the game. Bottom 5 Kelly Stites leads off with a triple to get things started and is knocked in on Sac fly by Ariel. 3 more singles in the in the 6th for the Dodgers led to 0 runs. Dodgers are able to force a 7th inning with time running out. Jay walks and then Rohit singles. Kelly smacks a triple scoring both leaving the tying run on third and Ryan at the plate. Ryan then crushes one over the fence for the walk off 2 run HR.  Brooklyn wins 9-8. 1 win done and1 more to go to Cabo...

Bums

Ryan Driggers- 3-4 1 2B, 2HR, 3 R, 5 RBI

Rohit Gulhati- 3-4 3 1B, 3 R

Steve Enda- 2-3 2 1B

I must give props to Buhrows Brats as they took an out every 12th guy and played incredibly well despite this handicap.  

After escaping the grill of the Brats, the final game of the season approached. Cabo was in sight. The Grasshoppers arrived and immediately dropped 2. The Dodgers answered back with 2 of their own with another 2 run HR by Ryan. The Hoppers then grab 1 in the second. Matt and the Captain both walk but the team is unable to move them in the second. Hoppers grab 2 more in the 3rd. Jay and Rohit both single to start off the 3rd. Ryan knocks one in on a single and then Ariel rips one over the fence grabbing 3 RBI's. 6-5 Bums. Hoppers go scoreless in the 4th. The Captain leads off the inning with a pool cued shot that he hustles into a double. Then that Ortega guy makes a great play and promptly puts him in a pickle and then back to the bench. Field 2 has not been kind to the Captain. Exhausted from the pickle the Captain then messes up the books and somehow the Grasshoppers have 6 more runs in the next inning and somehow end up with 15 total for the day. During the 6th inning Jay and Kelly grabbed singles. Ryan singled one of them home and then Ariel hit another 3 run blast. In the final at bat for the Dodgers Carlos drew a walk and then Dwayne crushed one to deep left to score him. As Dodgers looked at the scoreboard they saw their dreams of Cabo dissipate. Only having 3 weeks off before the next game wasn't enough time to thoroughly vent the Cabo experience so reservations were canceled and practices were scheduled.  Grasshoppers win 15-11

Bums

Ariel Rodriguez- 2-3 2 HR, 2 R, 6 RBI

Ryan Driggers- 3-3 1 1B, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI

Dwayne Henson- 2-3 1 1B, 1 2B, 1 RBI

From the Mouth of the Fall Commissioner (get it...it's a Lord of the Rings reference):

League Impact Players of Week 1:

1-4 Chris Cesario 8-8, 3 HR, 2 2B, 8 RBIs, 5 Runs. Clutch homer in extra innings to help keep game 2 alive for us.

5-8: Scott Doyle 3-4, SF, RBI - Defense was just stellar and overshadowed his walkoff SF in the first game

9-12 Gary Frank 4-6, 2 rbi, 1 run. Utility man played 3 positions.

Congrats gents! All 3 vital to their teams for a Week 1 sweep! Congrats to all below for representing your teams and bringing your best to the fields!

Storm Chaser Impact Players of the Week:

1-4 Carlos Cruz – 5-6 with 2 Singles, 1 Double, 1 RBI and 2 RS

5-8 Joe Machado – 3-5 with 1 Single, 2 HR 6 RBI and 3 RS with Amazing play in LF All Day!

9-12 JT Pierce III – 2-6 with 2 Singles and 1 RBI

Super Sub Donnie Holtmann – 3-4 with 3 Singles and 1 RS

AquaSox Toad-ally Rad Players of the Week:

1-4: Chris Stutz 4-5 with 3B, 2B, 2 singles, 2 walks, 2 runs, lockdown LCF defense (not too bad for a 3 :wink:)

5-8: Brian OsGreat 3-7 with a Shalomer HR, 2B, single, 4 RBI, 2 runs, excellent in RCF all day, huge difference maker in our close game vs Biscuits

9-12 (tie): Rick Halperin 2-4 with 2 singles, sac fly, 2 RBI, pretty much our entire offense game 1

Mark Morris 3-5 with 3 singles, walk, 2 RBI, 1 run, rock solid at 2B making several key plays

Crawdads IPOW:

1-4: Jacob Stites 5-5, SF, RBI and 2RS - great defense and made a hell of a catch in game one

5-8: Scott Doyle 3-4, SF, RBI - Defense was just stellar and overshadowed his walkoff SF in the first game

9-12 Alicia Shwarts 3-6, 2RBI - great timely hitting kept us in these two one run wins

HM: Ben Collincini 3-5, 2RBI, 2RS - just brings it! His energy is infectious and is always pumping others up.

Renegades IPOW

Chris Cesario 8-8, 3 HR, 2 2B, 8 RBIs, 5 Runs. Clutch homer in extra innings to help keep game 2 alive for us.

Jacob Forniglia 6-8, 2 RBIs, 4 Runs, clutch RBIs in game 2 comeback win, absolute cheetah in the OF and great leadoff setting table all day.

Jay Swank 3-5, Inside park HR, 3 RBIs, 2 Runs, 2 bb. Homer gave us the lead in the eventual game 2 extra inning victory. Stellar 2B play, great at helping turn lineup over all day

Rumble Ponies POW

1-4: Dustin Bone - 4/8, HR, 2B, 2 Runs, 5 RBI, walk off double game 2, lock down 1st base

5-8: Mitch Klaassen - 5/6, 3 Runs, 2 RBI

9-12: Wayne Casper - 2/5, Great pitching in both games, huge clutch hit to turn the lineup over and get on base before Bone's walk off in game 2.

HM: Alfredo Sardi - 4/6, 2B, 2RBI, Run, EXCELLENT job playing 3rd base for the first time

Driller POW

1-4: Ariel Rodriguez- 5/6, 2 HR, 4R,6RBI 2B Great pitching and moves like a cat :cat2:

5-8: Brandon Carniero the rookie 3/5 with 3 singles made 2 spectacular catches in left field.

9-12: Lacy Fenn 3/5 with 3 singles and 1RBI.

Aviators iPOW

1-4: Jason Niswonger 4-5; 1B, 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RS, 3 RBI.

5-8: Kyle Corriea 3-4; 3 1B, 4 RBI, SF.

9-12: Sean Harcourt; 2-5; 2 1B, 1RS.

Aces IPOW

1-4: Brian Lee 6-6; 5 singles, double, 2 RBI, 4 runs

5-8: Brad Parr 3-5; 3 singles, 4 runs, 3 RbI, walk

9-12: Ray Hebbeler 3-6; 3 singles, 2 runs

HM: Dylan Hartley 3-5 w/ Single, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 runs, walk. Phenomenal job playing RF and subbing.

Corny Dogs IPOW

1-4: Adam Glauvitz 4-7, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI and 3 runs. Played stellar RCF and took away runs from both Blue Rocks and Cannon Ballers at key moments.

5-8: Ashley Mort 4-6, 2B, 4 RBI

Tarpons POWs

1-4: Enlow was 4-5, 3 2Bs, 4 RBI, and a huge snag at 3B stopping a rally and grabbing the momentum back which propelled us to Victory.

5-8: Michael Barth. Was 3-5 with 3 clutch RBI and outstanding pitching.

9-12. Chris Keller. 2-4 in his inaugural full time spot in Shalom. He was also pretty solid in the OF

CannonBaller’s POW

1-4: Baby Jay Buhrow, 4-6, 2 RBI, 3 Runs, 2 Sac flys. Game 2 he went 3-3 and walked it off with an extra inning Sac fly

5-8: Kennin Doyle, 6-7, RBI, 2 runs. 4-4 in game two and was huge on the basebaths all day!

9-12: Mikey Bourque, 3-5, 2 RBI, Run, BB. Huge from the 12 hole, consistently turning the line up over.

Biscuits POW

1-4: Luke Morgan, 5-6, 3 rbis, 3 runs, 1 1b, 1 2b, 1 3b, 2 HR

5-8: Michael Thiele, 5-6, 4 rbis, 2 1bs, 3 2bs, and great pitching all day

9-12: Ming Tsai, 4-6, 2rbis, 4 1bs, and great play in RF

Trash Pandas POW

1-4 Randy Randon 5-6, 3 rbi, 4 runs, 4 1b, 1 2b. Key defensive play to secure win vs Aviators.

5-8 Peter Hogan 3-4, 4 rbi, 2 runs, 2 1b, 1 2b. Solid defense in LF

9-12 Gary Frank 4-6, 2 rbi, 1 run. Utility man played 3 positions.

Blue Rocks POW

Ryan Driggers - 3-5 with 3 HRs, 5 RBIs, 2 BBs with unbelievable SS play but most notably jumped in the air to make a play that former Blue Rock Luke Morgan might have missed:wink:

Grant Carver - 5-7 with 5 singles and 1 RBI, brought his vacuum glove at 1B and was easily our most consistent hitter all day

Carlos "Peluka TV" Lopez - 2-4 with a single, an automatic double, 1 RBI and a walk. Brought the energy all day, which lead to key success to flipping our lineup.

Bulls POW

Jose Baho 2-4, 1B/2B/BB/1 RBI/2 Rs

Monte Slaver 4-6, 2 1B/3B/HR (fence bomb)/3 RBIs/2 R

Ryan Gonzalez 4-5, 4 1B/2 RBIs/1 R and locked down second base