Game 1- Ducks 4, Legends 7

In what can only be described as a pitching masterpiece by Legends hurler, Michael Thiele, the Ducks struggled to find a way to get on base.  The team was kept in the game because sub Evan "I get there at game time" Berkowitz went 3/3 with a triple, JJ Eusay went 3/3 with 2 doubles and half of the teams RBI, and Kelly Stites who went 2/3 and added an RBI in the 4th inning.  The lowlight of the game for the Ducks was yours truly, who was tempted to see if his better half was eligible to sub after such a dismal performance at the plate.  The bats were so cold that budding pitching superstar Jason Niswonger got caught in the restroom thanks to a 5 pitch inning  from Thiele.  Coach came in and managed to throw a few pitches that were close enough to induce swings in the interim.  

Game 2 - Monarchs 7, Ducks 8

This game was a heartbreaker.  Not just in the result, but in the bet that was paid off between Brian Allsbrook and Karlos Rodriguez.  Karlos certainly drew a large crowd thanks to the Georgia Peaches dress he was squeezed into.

The Monarchs were in the driver seat much of the way.  The first inning saw a 3-3 score as the Monarchs 3 run top half was matched by a 3 run bomb, against the wind, by JJ Eusay.  The Monarchs regained the lead in the 3rd inning and held a 7 to 4 advantage going into the bottom of the 6th inning and somewhere over 4 minutes left on the clock.  After wasting a triple the previous inning by Doug Wolff, the inning started with the top of the order, who had been hot at the plate in the late game, but ended up with back-to-back outs.  Once again, JJ Eusay loaded the Ducks on his back and he ripped a two out double that was followed up by Kelly Stites trading places with him at the next bat.  Jacob Stites gets a well placed single to put runners on the corners for Niswonger who ripped a double into right field.  Amazingly, the speedster Stites was not waved home as the tying run and two minutes to go.  This Duck's Captain, and should be an 8th round selection based on performance to date, at the plate.  After hitting weakly all day, but managing a single over Monarchs SS Greg Ritter, and then grounding to 2B on what seemed to turn into defensive indifference, confidence was low.  After fouling the first pitch off and watching it bounce around as the clock had finally showed 1, I proved the old adage that a even a blind squirrel can find a nut, and I found the barrel of the bat stroking a single up the middle.  Wisely, Jason Niswonger was intent on scoring the go ahead run, and all that was left was to hold on for the W.  There was still a good amount of time on the clock, thanks to the lack of seconds being displayed until the final minute, and it was here where the Ducks finally strung a series of hits together when they hadn't done so all day long.  Singles from Jobu Burks and "peaches" K-Rod iced the come from behind win for the Ducks.

Hats off to the Monarchs for playing one heck of a game.

Ducks of the week

The Ducks OF, consisting of sub Evan Berkowitz, Sam Cassell, Jacob Stites, and Sean Harcourt.  Their defense was fantastic all day long.

JJ Eusay - 5/5, HR, 3 doubles, BB, and 5 RBI.