Deuces were wild on Sunday as the Dragons started the twin bill home to Miller’s Blind Squirrels.  With veteran pitcher John Unell out, the Dragons hit the sub list.  Is there a harder job than having never played in the Shalom League, being called on to pitch, and having never pitched with a mat before?  The Dragons spotted Miller’s arsenal 3 runs in the top of the first as their pitcher began settling in.

Here come the deuces.  The Dragons scored two in the first, two in the second and two in the third.  In the first, the Dragons welcomed Sheldon Fulton to the lineup.  Sheldon promptly hit an RBI single to get things going.  Zak Edgerton followed with another RBI single, the beginning of “bucket hat” Zak’s 3-hit, 2 RBI game.

After scoring 2 more in the 2nd.  Daryl Drake, who sports #4 (2X2), led off with a triple and scored on a Tim Kaminski sac fly.  Kevin Knox followed with his 2nd HR of the year, this one an inside the parker!  After 3, the Squirrels led 7-6.

Things turned the Dragons way in the 4th.  After giving up a single acorn in the top, the Dragons rallied for 5 in the bottom.  After making two quick outs, the rally started with Kendal Anthony’s single.  This was the first of seven consecutive singles!  11-8 Dragons going to the top of the 5th.

With the top of the Squirrels lineup up to bat, the lead was tenuous at best.  The Dragons made quick work of the Squirrels, only giving up two runs.

The Dragons loaded the bases in the bottom of the 5th, only to have the clock expire.  Once again, a late, big inning thrusted the Dragons to victory.

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Game two saw the Dragons visit Sardi’s Tiburones.  The Dragons scored 5 in the top of the first, getting going with Ari Loiben’s leadoff HR and highlighted by Sheldon Fulton’s 2-run double.  However, the lead didn’t last long as our pitching woes continued.  Sardi’s bunch matched the Dragons with 5 of their own.

After a scoreless 2nd, the Dragons plated 3 in the top of the 3rd.  Once again, Fulton with a run scoring 2B!  The bottom of the 3rd brought big trouble and a big decision.  After watching one too many walks, Captain Keith Dlott went to the bullpen.  First up was Jerry Rogers, who said he’d give it a try.  Thankfully, Jerry is a better poker player than pitcher!  Next up was Daryl Drake, who got the Dragons out of the 3rd, but now trailing 12-8.

The Dragons managed 3 runs in the top of of the 4th, but needed to get Drake back to SS.  After polling the dugout for options, Tim Kaminski raised his huge, meaty arm and said “I’ll pitch.”  And pitch he did!  The Tiburones scored 1 in the bottom of the 4th, leaving the score 13-11.

The Dragons had yet another late rally.  The top of the 5th started with five Dragons singles and a huge 2 RBI double by Drake. After tallying 7 runs, the Dragons now carried a 5-run lead into the bottom of the 5th.

Out came Tim Kaminski to his walk in song “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart),” by the Backstreet Boys.  Kaminski closed the door on the Tiburones and the Dragons completed an unlikely sweep.  The Dragons are spending the week renegotiating John Unell’s contract...

IPOWs:

1-4:  Kevin Knox, 4/7, 3 RBI, 1 inside the park HR, 5 R.  Stellar defense at 3B!

5-8:  Sheldon Fulton, 5 / 6, 5 RBI, 3B, 2-2Bs. Great to have him back holding down RCF

           Zak Edgerton, 5 / 6, 4 RBI. Crazy good defense at 2B

9-12:  Gary Frank, 5 / 6, RBI, 2-R.  Incredible presence on and off the field