Week 2: having momentum and a full roster, the Trash Pandas faced the challenge of playing the only undefeated team in the Baum Division and statistical defensive standout—Pease’s Storm Chasers. One of us would finish with our first L.

The Chasers gave up only 7 runs in two games the prior week, so it was imperative the home team Panda offense got off to a good start.  Our defense gave up four in the top of the first on good hitting and aggressive running by rook captain Pease’s squad.  Not to be denied, the TPs responded right away.  IPOW Vinnie “Chenz” Terhune started some contagious hitting with a triple, and was knocked in by Sean Greeley in the next AB.  Captain Alexander moved Sean over to third with a double, and both scored on a big triple by IPOW candidate Mike Glosier.  Not be outdone, Panda legend Dan Mele stepped up and clubbed one over the left field fence scoring two more.  Young phenom Kennin Doyle hit a double of his own and scored on rookie Chuck Taylor’s line drive single.  After an eventful first frame--almost hitting around--the Racoons took the lead 6-4 and never gave it up.

The defense got three outs quickly in the top of the second and immediately got back to scoring. Clutch 12 hole hitter Ronn Forniglia started off with a single, speedy Joshua Forniglia spanked a double of his own and then Chenz stunned the crowd with a no-doubter bomb scoring all three… just like we practiced it! 9-4 after inning 2.

The Trash Panda defense gave up a paltry 3 when the top of the Pease order came back around in the third inning, with stud muffin Terhune resting his knee in the dugout, but responded with another offensive explosion after that.  Jacob Forniglia started off the hitting with a double; Kennin got his second hit of the game; Chuck roped a triple scoring those two; Travis Olander knocked in Chucky; crafty vet Chris Licurse walked; Uncle Ronn got his second single of the game to right field and an RBI; Joshua F just missed but got the SAC fly; and red-hot Chenz—now playing on a bum knee—scored two more for the TPs with a single. 15-7 after 3 played.  Glosier finished the scoring in garbage time with a lead-off bomb in the fourth—final score 16-11 Trash Pandas!

The bottom of the order was HUGE in this one with Kennin, Chuck, Travis, and Ronn all getting multiple base hits!

In the second tilt, visiting against the formidable Prim’s Padres, the Panda magic finally ran out ☹

A defensive rearrangement was necessary as Chenz was relegated to IR to take care of his banged-up knee.  Having a very capable back-up in LCF and some depth and versatility, the results weren’t bad but weren’t good enough to top the Padres.  If you had told me before the game that Donald Prim would go 1-3 with no HRs, I would have loved our chances--but there are lots of hitters on that team!  The Pandas were also hampered by at least 5 ground-rule doubles (what’s up with bouncy field 2?) that took scoring opportunities off the board.  Final score 14-9 Padres.

Hot TP hitters in game 2:

Chenz 3-3 (narrowly missed HR off the yellow top of the fence); Glosier 3-3 + 2 doubles; Greeley 2-3 + double; Jacob F 2-3 + double; Alexander 2-3; Licurse 2-3.

Panda Power Players and IPOW candidates:

Vinnie “Chenz” Terhune – gutty 6-6 with a triple, HR, 3 runs and 6 RBI (still batting 1.000 after 4 games)

Mike Glosier – 5-6 with 2 doubles, a triple, HR, 3 runs and 4 RBI

Chuck Taylor – 3-6 with an outfielder burning double and triple, 2 runs and 3 RBI

We’re getting rested up to bounce back next week and start another winning streak.