BLUE ROCKS 9   PEASE'S STORM CHASERS 10

Game 1- The Blue Rocks got off to a strong start in game 1. After allowing 3 runs in the top of the first, they answered with 6 in the bottom of the first. Matt Rakofsky led the game off with a double, followed by a Peter Hogan 2 run home run. A string of singles from sub Brad Cox, captain John Banta, and Mark Phares kept the base runners moving. Kyle Casper doubled in a couple runs and scored after a single from Seth Pepkin and a sac fly from Grayson Vick. After a couple scoreless innings and many more runs from the Storm Chasers, the Blue Rocks found another run thanks to the efforts of the bottom of the order and lead-off hitter Rakofsky. Down 10-7 going into the bottom of 5, the Blue Rocks managed another couple of runs after singles from Dennis Brumett and Mark Phares and a double from Kyle Casper. Captain Banta's pitching kept the Storm Chasers scoreless in the top of 6, and after a tense two-out rally in the bottom of 6, the Blue Rocks came up just short of a winning effort as the game ended 10-9.

Hitting Stars:

Matt Rakofsky  2-2, 2B, 2 BBs, 1 run scored.

Dennis Brumett  2-3, 1 run scored.

Mark Phares  2-3, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored

Kyle Casper 2-3, 2 2Bs, 2 RBIs, 1 run scored

Seth Pepkin 2-3

BLUE ROCKS 9   PRIM’S PADRES 8

Game 2- The Blue Rocks faced the league leading offense and overall best team in the standings in Prim’s Padres with oddsmakers pulling this game off the betting line due to the absence of Super Star Ryan Richardson and the potential lopsided outcome. The Blue Rocks started with only one run in the top of the first in game 2, thanks to the efforts of lead-off machine Matt Rakofsky, who walked and reached third on Peter Hogan's single, allowing him to score on Brad Cox's sac fly. The Padres scored 3 in the bottom of the first. After a scoreless second inning for both teams, the Padres picked up another run in the bottom of 3, bringing the score to 4-1 Padres. The Blue Rocks picked up another run after singles from Dennis Brumett and John Banta and a sac fly from Mark Phares. The Padres picked up another run in the bottom of the fourth to bring the score to 5-2. The Blue Rocks opened the game up with 5 in the top of 5, initiated by back-to-back singles from Doug Hogan and Matt Rakofsky. Peter Hogan doubled both runs in. Brad Cox singled and Dennis Brumett knocked in another run with a sac fly. Banta, Phares, and Casper all singled back-to-back to back, and Seth Pepkin knocked another run in with a sac fly to bring the score to 7-5. The Padres grabbed 3 runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a one run lead 8-7. In the top of 6, Wayne Casper singled and IPOW Matt Rakofsky hit the go-ahead home run to make the score 9-8. Thanks to some solid pitching from Banta and solid infield defense from Rakofsky and Phares, the Blue Rocks held on to their one run lead and finished out the game 9-8.

Hitting Stars:

Matt Rakofsky 2-2, HR, 2 BBs, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored

Peter Hogan 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored

Banta 2-2, BB, 1 run scored

Kyle Casper 2-2, BB, extensive testing of the pitching screen's capabilities

Seth Pepkin 1-2, SF, 1 RBI