The Dragons started the oddly cool day on field 1 with the wind blowing in against the Colt 45’s.  After yielding two runs to the 45’s stout top, the Dragons responded with a 2-out, 5-run rally.  Michael Babb got things started with a single, and advanced to second on a Carlos Cruz walk.  Super sub Matt Leslie drilled a line drive down the right field line for a base-clearing triple and the Dragons first two runs.  Leslie scored on a Mike Thiele single.  Bradley Cox’s single was followed by back to back RBI singles by Michael Bourque and Luke Babb.  5-2 Dragons after 1.

The middle innings were peppered with 45’s runs.  Two in the 2nd, one in the 3rd and 2 in the 4th.  Meanwhile, the Dragons were held scoreless in the 2nd and 3rd, but got things going in the 4th.  Luke Babb led off with a single, followed by Gary Frank’s double.  Brian Alvara hit an RBI sac fly and the Dragons top came up hungry.  Zak Edgerton followed with an RBI single, Ari Loiben followed with a double, then Michael Babb plated two with a single.  A Cruz double scored Babb, then Leslie had an RBI single scoring Los.  11-7 after 4.

After a scoreless 5th, the 45’s scored one in the 7th with just under 2 minutes to go.  45’s pitcher Brad Stanford managed the situation perfectly.  Strikeout, intentional walk, double play…inning over, we go on to the 7th.

A combination of good hitting and not so good defense led to a 7-spot by the Colts.  The Dragons top led off the bottom of the 7th.  After scoring 3 runs, the Dragons had to tip their hats to the Colt 45’s, specifically Brad Stanford.  With two outs and lefty Bourque up, the 1st and 2nd baseman were playing deep.  Bourque hit a shot to Matt Sorge…the only way this out is made is if Stanford gets from the mound to 1st and beats the runner.  He did just that to end the game.

15-14 Colt 45’s

Looking to split, the Dragons moved to field 3 to face Harry Abrams division leading Storm.  Opposite of field 1, the wind was blowing out.

The Dragons led off with 5 in the first, three coming off of the first of Michael Babb’s 3 home runs in the game.  Cruz followed Babb with a solo shot.  The Dragons defense got off to a great start, holding the Storm’s top to only one run in the bottom of the first.

The Dragons added four more in the 2nd.  Back to back singles by 11 and 12 hitters Brian Alvara and Rick Halperin got things going.  Loiben hits his 2nd double of the game, plating Halperin.  Babb with another 3-run homer.  

The Storm responded with 5 in the bottom of the 2nd, before sub Matt Leslie added a solo home run in the top of the 3rd.

In the top of the 4th, Gary Frank led off with his first of TWO triples on the day.  He scored off another Brian Alvara sac fly.  However, things got dicey in the bottom of the 4th as the Storm rallied for 7 runs and a 13-11 lead.  

The Dragons responded with a 5-spot in the 5th.  Babb led off with a solo HR, Luke Babb had a 2-run double, and Frank’s 2nd triple came with an RBI.

With a call to the bullpen, Michael Babb was on the bump to try and close out the Storm, and that he did.  The Storm were held to 1 run over the last two innings and the Dragons got the W, 16-14.

IPOW:

Michael Babb - 6 / 8, 3-HR, 9-RBI, 6-R, excellent shortstop play and closed out the Storm pitching the 5th and 6th

Sub Matt Leslie - 7 / 7, HR, 3B, 5-RBI, 4R, flawless LF

Gary Frank - 4 / 6, 2B, 2-3B, RBI