Game 1: Aviators vs Mudcats Field 3 10:20am
We were welcomed by Forniglia’s Mudcats to begin the season. A ceremonial first pitch, moment of silence & reflection, and the fall season had begun.
The Aviators came out swinging, and scored 7 runs on 8 hits in the first inning. Ari’s first swing was a HR; Harcourt’s was a 3B; Brady’s was a 2B; and confidence was high. The Mudcats were able to plate 2 runs, ending the 1st inning 7-2 in favor of the Aviators.
The 2nd & 3rd innings were a push, as both teams only added 1 run to their total; 8-3 after 3 innings.
Alvara kicked off the 4th inning with a BB, and B Lee & ArLo chipped in to load the bases for Dalton Fallaw. Dalton smashes an uncatchable ball off the Left Fielder’s leather & over the fence for 4 more runs; 12-3 Aviators.
Finley & Brady get the 5th inning started with base hits, and each are rewarded with runs scored. The Mudcats must have been feeling the pressure when staring down a possible 14-3 run-rule in the middle of the 5th. Ronn & Josh fired them up, and the Mudcats scored 5 to keep the game going; 14-8 after 5.
The Aviators scored 3 more in the 6th after an ArLo double & another Fallaw HR. Brad Parr & the Aviator defense put a stop to the Mudcats hopeful comeback, and the game ends after 6 innings.
Aviators 17, Mudcats 8
High-Flyers of the Game:
B. Alvara 1-1; 2BB
T. Macaluso 2-2; BB
Brady A. 4-4; 2B
J. Finley 4-4
Game 2: Crawdads vs Aviators Field 4 11:30am
A leadoff walk by B Lee turns into an RBI when Ben ‘New Stance’ Collincini earns his wings with a HR blast to score 2 in the 1st inning. It seemed like we were gearing up for the typical Alford-grind type of game, as the score was only 2-2 after 2 innings.
Alford’s Crawdads scored 2 more in the 3rd, and the Aviators were staring down a 4-2 deficit. Afterburners engaged; and the Aviators plate 6 runs on 7 hits, including 3 HRs. 8-4 Aviators after 3.
Aviator pitching & defense decided enough-was-enough, and the Crawdads were limited to 4 runs for this contest.
The Aviators added to their count in the 5th inning with 5 more runs on 6 target-locked hits, and a homer. A Tim Barnes single put an end to this game by scoring the final run, prompting mercy.
Aviators 14, Crawdads 4
High-Flyers of the Game:
B. Lee 2-2; 3B, BB
A. Loiben 2-2; BB
B. Collincini 2-2; 2 HR, BB
J. Finley 3-3
T. Barnes 2-2; BB
Mile High Club:
Jim Finley 7-7; 7 1B, 4 Runs Scored, RBI, Great defense at 1st base!