Its early, but there are a couple of interesting stories unfolding for both clubs. First lets look at the 1-1 Gruesome Devils. Starting catcher Cliff Stacey is hitting .332 points over last years average thus far! He is joined by Simon Smith and Keith Dell who are both off to starts that are over .200 points above last years pace. Meanwhile Jens Lepa is among the league leaders in runs (8) and average (.889).
The Rusty Rebels are 1-1-1 through three games. Kevin Moon has started the season hot going 9/11 hitting .818. Right on his heels hitting .750 are Roger Burton, Gord Dol and both captains Don Booth and Hugh Armstrong. Booth is also 4th in the league in runs scored.
This game started like a grudge match. The Gruesome Devils scored 2 in the 1st inning on the strength of the first of Jens Lepa's 5 hits which was followed an out later by a single from Richard Gabourie. They would be cashed in on RBIs by Bob McCullough and Kevin Tobin.
The Rusty Rebels came into their half of the 1st loaded for bear. Donnie would get the first of his five hits leading off as well. But Don was followed by Brett Mabee, Hugh Armstrong, Roger Burton and Steve Grenkie all reaching base consecutively behind him. Burton and Moon would both have 2 RBI doubles in the inning. The Rebels would send 10 men to the plate in jumping out to an early 6-2 lead.
It looked grim for the Devils in the second when they were retired with only to a single from Mike Douglas in between a ground out to short and two fly outs.
The Rebels knew that second big inning would really put the Devils back up against the wall. But they would produce the only 3 up 3 down inning for either side. But even that wasn't easy. Don Booth would lead off with another single and Brett Mabee flew out to left field. With one on and one out, Hugh Armstrong hit a sharp ground ball to 1st base. Mike Douglas picked it clean and stepped on 1st before turning and firing a strike to get the sliding Booth at 2nd. It was the play that the Gruesome Devils needed to stay in this game.
The game exploded from there. The Devils lifted by the great defense went onto score 6 in the third. Jens, Robin Dickson, Butler, McCullough, Kevin Tobin, Douglas and Simon Smith all scored in the inning. McCullough and Gord Tanner would both have two RBI in the inning.
Taking an 8-6 lead in a game they didn't look to be in early didn't sit well with the Gruesome Devils. The promptly gave up seven in the Rebels half of the 3rd inning. The inning would start with a Burton double followed by a Grenkie single. Moon would get his third RBI of the night on a double and Gord Dol and Mike Douglas would follow RBI singles. There would be two outs made in the inning and everyone hit as the outs were made on the bases. The inning would finish with Armstrong driving in Mabee with the 7th run.
The Rebels looked to be in good shape again leading 13-8 after 3. But there was to be nothing easy in this game.
The Gruesome Devils would count a run on a 1 out RBI sacrifice fly from Butler in the 4th. In the Rusty Rebels half of the inning the Rusty Rebels would get what would turn out to be their last run of the game. Burton would score on an infield RBI single from Dol.
The Devils went down meekly in the 5th with only a Simon Smith single for their efforts. The Rusty Rebels sent 5 batters to the plate but fared no better. Booth was left stranded at 2nd and Armstrong at 1st.
The 6th for the Gruesome Devils started with a seeing eye single up the middle by Steve De Land which was followed by the red hot Cliff Stacey making his only out of the game when he flew out to third. Jens would follow with another hit and Dickson would advance the runners with a fly to left. four RBIs would follow on hits by Gabourie, Butler (2) and McCullough. The Devils had crept to within one when their half of the inning ended.
Coming to the plate the bottom of the 6th with a slim 14-13 lead, the Rebels could really use a cushion for their lead. However, after a lead off single by Steve Grenkie, the next three men were retired in order.
Top of 7. The inning starts with Simon Smith hit a nubber that spun and bounced back to hit him after he got out of the box. Bad luck, but one out. Douglas doubles. Tanner singles. De Land singles in Douglas with the tying run. Stacey would get on before Lepa and Dickson hit into fielders choices.
Bottom of 7. Game tied at 14. Wilf Roblin flies out to the pitcher. Conforti would ground out to the pitcher. Booth would find his way on with another hit. Mabee would follow with an infield hit. And the tie would be assured on a fielders choice off the bat of Armstrong and into the glove of Lepa.
Final Score: 14 - 14
What we learned:
- Lou Conforti and Steve De Land were both victimized for an early big inning, but both were able to shake it off and settle into a good game after the first 3 innings.
- Despite the cat calls from the stands, Burton seems to be running well. Loping easily into second on doubles.
- Jens and Donnie as lead off hitters are great calls. Both were 5/5 and hitting the ball where ever they want.
- Gord Tanner looked good at 3rd base as did Mike Ghaney and Jens. Yes, Jens was all over the infield in fact and didn't look at all out of place at all.
- Craig Butler burned the defense putting one over their head. But that aside, he is an absolutely fearless runner. He makes you want to throw him out, but he is wicked fast. If defenses watch him you'll be giving up free bases behind him all night and lose force opportunities.
RUSTY REBELS:
GRUESOME DEVILS:
The next "Game Of The Week" isn't scheduled until June 5th when the Hurtin' Units play the Dodge City Rounders. If anyone wants coverage for their team in the meantime let me know. The format would be roughly as above.
Cheers.
Things to check out:
Check out the Dislocated Joints game notes from DTBB ==> JOINTS
Check out the Tap Master's game notes from Jason Bowers ==> Tapped Out
Check out the Brew Jays game notes from Rod and Bo ==> Jays Squawk
Check out the Hurtin' Units BLOG ==> Hannibal Lecter
The League's Official Website ==> League
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