The Resurrection Life Warriors fell to Pax Christi for the second time in as many chances this season. The final margin was three runs, matching the defeat of the opening game of the season. Pax won a back and forth contest 16-13 by hitting a walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth with two outs.
A managerial miscue contributed to the end, as Rez decided to walk the previous battter and pitch to the eventual game-winner. The loss drops the Warriors back down to .500 at 3-3 and makes it very tough for the team to win the league.
The offense was not very good and missed several opportunities that the Pax defense gave it. The Warriors managed just 13 hits in the five innings but drew four walks and reached base on four different errors.
The low tone was set in the first inning as Andy Briggs, back from a long layoff, singled to start the game and moved to second on Ben Terfehr's walk. Austin Colby, battling an illness, lofted a three-run homer to center to put Rez on top 3-0 after three batters. However, the offense then left two runners on base an didn't push another run across in the first. Jason Merritt and Jordan Schumack both reached base with one out but were frozen on the bases.
In the bottom of the first, Pax managed one run on two hits. It could have been more if not for a great catch from Jamy Antoine that opened the inning. Jamy made his second back-handed running catch in the outfield which saved at least one run.
Rez managed just one run in the second as Jeff Johnson lofted a flyball to right-center that was dropped and Lee Valle placed a hustle-double to score Jeff. Another Pax error put runners on first and second with no outs, but consecutive line drives hit right at the shortstop led to a fielder's choice and doubleplay to end the inning. Tough luck in that frame.
The bottom of the second was a tough inning for the Rez Life defense. Pax started with a bloop single and after a forceout to Jeff at first, Jordan recorded his second strikeout of the game. With two outs, one on and no runs in, Pax bats awakened and Rez Life gloves slumbered. A single to right was misplayed into a double allowing a run to score and then a blooped double fell to score another run. Back-to-back cheap singles plated another run and back-to-back infield errors plated two more which led to a two-run single to cap the inning, making it 9-4 Pax.
Much like the first inning, the Warriors first five hitters reached and scored in the top of the third, but nothing happened after that. Austin and Eric Johnson reached based on grounders to start the inning and both scored as Jason roped one off the wall for a two-rbi double. Jordan singled to score Jason and Jamy finished it off with a towering two-run homer to deep left-center. That tied the game at 9 but that was where the inning ended as Rez wasn't able to muster anymore offense.
The Rez defense looked sharp again in the third, putting the Pax bats down in order. Tied at 9 going into the fourth, Rez took the lead again with four runs. With two outs and nobody on, Austin doubled to center and scored on Eric's majestic deep-fly that landed just short of the street in left-center. Jason promptly followed with his first homerun of the seasn, a low line-drive that just cleared the fence in left. Now up 12-9, Jordan roped a double and scampered home on Jamy's rbi single.
Pax answered quickly with two runs in the bottom half of the frame. The first batter singled and trotted home on a homerun that actually bounced on top of the fence. Pax managed one more hit but it led to nothing and heading into the final inning due to time constraints Rez was up 13-11.
The top of the fifth started well for the Warriors as Jeff and Lee walked to start the inning. John Wooten then hit a hard grounder right at third base which was turned into a doubleplay. With two outs and one on, Andy grounded out to end the inning.
Pax still trailed and needed two runs to tie in the final half inning. The first batter singled up the middle and the second one grounded to Jeff who touched first for one out. A double to right-center made it 13-12 with one out. Another single put runners on the corners and brought the top of the order up. A grounder to Andy at second led to a forceout at second for the second out. That brought up the man who had homered in his last at bat with the winning run on first. The team decided to walk him to bring up the lefty who was just 1-3 on the night. That proved to be the wrong choice as the hitter calmly deposited the first pitch over the fence for a homerun to end the game, 16-13.
Jason earned his first Player of the Game with a 2-3 performance including a double and a homerun. He scored twice and drove home three runners. He reached base all three times up to bat also.
The Warriors now play at 5:50 versus St. Andrew Blue on the Starring Lake field #1 across from Flying Cloud Airport. Every game is a must-win game from here on out for Rez Life.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Rez Life Creeps Above .500 with 25-10 Drubbing
The Warriors from Rez Life man-handled geographical rival, Wooddale, in a 25-10 romp. The Warriors played with just nine players but it was a power-packed nine as the team reached base 31 times including 25 hits and five walks. Every single player reached base at least three times with eight of the nine collecting at least two hits.
Ben Terfehr led the way with a three-hit game highlighted by two doubles. He finished 3-5 but his two non-hits were smoked grounders hit right at people. He scored three runs and drove home a game-high six. His hot early season continued as he earned his first Player of the Game nod.
With just nine defenders, the defense was excellent. The team turned its seventh double play of the year and made several difficult plays to keep Wooddale's offense at bay, after a first-inning outburst.
The Warriors started the game with an eventful first inning. 15 players came to bat in the top of the first while the Rez Life plated 11 runners. Jason Merritt back from his week off walked to start things off and scored easily as Ben drilled his first of two doubles to left-center. Austin Colby roped his fourth triple of the season to right-center to plate Ben and jogged home on Jon Engbrecht's tough-hop grounder to third base. Jordan Schumack then hit a scorcher to third base that squirted out of play allowing Jon to advance to third and Jordan to move to second. Still with no outs, Jeff Johnson dropped in a double that scored both Jordan and Jon and made it 5-0 Rez. After an out, Lee Valle got into the action with a single that put runners on the corners for super-sub Chris Wold who lined a single up the middle to score Jeff.
As the top of the order came up again, it was already 6-0. After the second out, Ben delivered a two-rbi single scoring Chris and Lee. Austin then deposited his first homerun of the season just over the monster in left to make it 10-0. The bats weren't done though as Jon doubled to keep things going and sprinted home on Jordan's double down the left-field line. When the inning finally ended, the Warriors had scored 11 times and ripped out 11 hits including six for extra bases.
However, the Wooddale bats would not let the Warriors get comfortable. The first eight batters for Wooddale reached and scored in the bottom of the first to make it 11-8 after one inning. Lots of fireworks. After a leadoff walk, Wooddale rapped out seven straight hits. Jason snagged a flyball for the first out and two grounders to Austin sandwiched another hit to end the inning.
Rez Life came out quickly in the second to extend its once large lead. With one out, Lee and Chris hit back-to-back singles. Jason doubled to right to score Lee and put runners on second and third for the hot-man Ben. He delivered with a two-rbi double to make it 14-8. Unfortunately, consecutive outs stranded Ben at second.
Wooddale started its half of the second with a single and followed with a flyout. The next batter looped a little liner behind second base which Austin caught and fired to first on the run to double off the slumbering runner and end the inning.
The Warriors bats snoozed a little in the third leaving Jamy Antoine's single alone on the bases. Thankfully, Wooddale also went scoreless again making it 14-8 after three innings. The defense ended the third inning with another slick defensive play as Jason fielded a single and hit Austin perfectly with a relay throw and Austin turned and snapped a strike to Lee who nailed the runner trying to get to third.
Rez Life scored four times in the top of the fourth to extend its lead to 10 runs. Chris doubled, moved to second on Jason's flyout, and scored on Ben's rbi-groundout. Austin doubled to left-center and scored on a handcuffed flyball to left-center hit by Jon. Jordan and Jeff drew two-out walks to load the bases for Jamy who knocked out a single scoring Jon and Jordan to end the scoring.
Wooddale's bats showed a spark in the bottom of the fourth ripping a single and following with a triple to make it 18-9. A lineout to Austin provided the first out and a little blooper into shallow left almost netted another baserunner for Wooddale but Austin made a nifty over-the-shoulder catch as Chris slid underneath him for the second out. However, the runner from third did score to make it 18-10. A popout to Austin ended the inning and allowed Austin to tie a record set by many, making all three outs in an inning.
The umpire notified both teams that the fifth would be the final inning due to time constraints so the bats came out firing. Chris tripled to dead center to start things and Jason drew a walk to put two on. Ben hit a sharp one-hopper right at third, freezing Chris, and forcing Jason at second. Austin calmly lined one to right-center to plate Chris and complete the cycle, hitting a single, double, triple, and homerun in one game. Jon singled to load the bases and after the second out, Jeff ripped a single to push Austin and Ben across the plate. Jamy followed with a run-scoring single to plate Jon. Lee walked to load the bases for Chris who singled and advanced all the way to third on an error, which allowed all three baserunners to scamper home and give us our final score of 25-10.
Wooddale managed one hit in the final frame but it led to nothing as the game ended. The Warriors now stand at 3-2 overall and have pushed their average runs per game up to 14.4 on the season. Next week's contest is a rematch of week one's loss against Pax Christi. The game is at 6:50 on field #4. The Warriors will be looking to exact a little revenge after dropping the season opener 20-17 to Pax.
Ben Terfehr led the way with a three-hit game highlighted by two doubles. He finished 3-5 but his two non-hits were smoked grounders hit right at people. He scored three runs and drove home a game-high six. His hot early season continued as he earned his first Player of the Game nod.
With just nine defenders, the defense was excellent. The team turned its seventh double play of the year and made several difficult plays to keep Wooddale's offense at bay, after a first-inning outburst.
The Warriors started the game with an eventful first inning. 15 players came to bat in the top of the first while the Rez Life plated 11 runners. Jason Merritt back from his week off walked to start things off and scored easily as Ben drilled his first of two doubles to left-center. Austin Colby roped his fourth triple of the season to right-center to plate Ben and jogged home on Jon Engbrecht's tough-hop grounder to third base. Jordan Schumack then hit a scorcher to third base that squirted out of play allowing Jon to advance to third and Jordan to move to second. Still with no outs, Jeff Johnson dropped in a double that scored both Jordan and Jon and made it 5-0 Rez. After an out, Lee Valle got into the action with a single that put runners on the corners for super-sub Chris Wold who lined a single up the middle to score Jeff.
As the top of the order came up again, it was already 6-0. After the second out, Ben delivered a two-rbi single scoring Chris and Lee. Austin then deposited his first homerun of the season just over the monster in left to make it 10-0. The bats weren't done though as Jon doubled to keep things going and sprinted home on Jordan's double down the left-field line. When the inning finally ended, the Warriors had scored 11 times and ripped out 11 hits including six for extra bases.
However, the Wooddale bats would not let the Warriors get comfortable. The first eight batters for Wooddale reached and scored in the bottom of the first to make it 11-8 after one inning. Lots of fireworks. After a leadoff walk, Wooddale rapped out seven straight hits. Jason snagged a flyball for the first out and two grounders to Austin sandwiched another hit to end the inning.
Rez Life came out quickly in the second to extend its once large lead. With one out, Lee and Chris hit back-to-back singles. Jason doubled to right to score Lee and put runners on second and third for the hot-man Ben. He delivered with a two-rbi double to make it 14-8. Unfortunately, consecutive outs stranded Ben at second.
Wooddale started its half of the second with a single and followed with a flyout. The next batter looped a little liner behind second base which Austin caught and fired to first on the run to double off the slumbering runner and end the inning.
The Warriors bats snoozed a little in the third leaving Jamy Antoine's single alone on the bases. Thankfully, Wooddale also went scoreless again making it 14-8 after three innings. The defense ended the third inning with another slick defensive play as Jason fielded a single and hit Austin perfectly with a relay throw and Austin turned and snapped a strike to Lee who nailed the runner trying to get to third.
Rez Life scored four times in the top of the fourth to extend its lead to 10 runs. Chris doubled, moved to second on Jason's flyout, and scored on Ben's rbi-groundout. Austin doubled to left-center and scored on a handcuffed flyball to left-center hit by Jon. Jordan and Jeff drew two-out walks to load the bases for Jamy who knocked out a single scoring Jon and Jordan to end the scoring.
Wooddale's bats showed a spark in the bottom of the fourth ripping a single and following with a triple to make it 18-9. A lineout to Austin provided the first out and a little blooper into shallow left almost netted another baserunner for Wooddale but Austin made a nifty over-the-shoulder catch as Chris slid underneath him for the second out. However, the runner from third did score to make it 18-10. A popout to Austin ended the inning and allowed Austin to tie a record set by many, making all three outs in an inning.
The umpire notified both teams that the fifth would be the final inning due to time constraints so the bats came out firing. Chris tripled to dead center to start things and Jason drew a walk to put two on. Ben hit a sharp one-hopper right at third, freezing Chris, and forcing Jason at second. Austin calmly lined one to right-center to plate Chris and complete the cycle, hitting a single, double, triple, and homerun in one game. Jon singled to load the bases and after the second out, Jeff ripped a single to push Austin and Ben across the plate. Jamy followed with a run-scoring single to plate Jon. Lee walked to load the bases for Chris who singled and advanced all the way to third on an error, which allowed all three baserunners to scamper home and give us our final score of 25-10.
Wooddale managed one hit in the final frame but it led to nothing as the game ended. The Warriors now stand at 3-2 overall and have pushed their average runs per game up to 14.4 on the season. Next week's contest is a rematch of week one's loss against Pax Christi. The game is at 6:50 on field #4. The Warriors will be looking to exact a little revenge after dropping the season opener 20-17 to Pax.
Friday, May 16, 2008
11-8 Win Pushes Rez Life to .500
Resurrection Life utilized a good crop of substitutes to gain an 11-8 victory over Immanuel to even its season record at 2-2. The Warriors were missing five regular players and were forced to get three substitutes to make sure they had 10 players. Thankfully, the substitutes paid off in a big way, earning a conglomerate Player of the Game by producing more than half of the offensive production and playing very solid defense.
Rez Life started off well and it looked like it was going to be a blowout, but the bats quickly died down and completely vanished in the late innings as Immanuel erased an early 8-0 deficit to bring the winning run up to plate in the last inning before ending the game on a flyout.
The Warrior bats got on the board in the first inning after Austin Colby singled but was forced out on a Jamy Antoine groundout. With one out, Eric Johnson singled to move Jamy to second and Jeff Johnson followed with a fielder's choice that forced Eric at second but moved Jamy to third. With two outs Jon Engbrecht singled to score Jamy but Jeff was caught leaning around second a little too much and was picked off the base. That was the first of three base-running miscues by the Warrior runners in the game.
In the bottom of the first, the Rez Life defense turned its 6th doubleplay of the year as sub AJ Larson fed Eric at second who turned the doubleplay nicely.
Leading 1-0, Rez padded that lead with five runs in the top of the second. With one out, Jordan Schumack - fresh off his college graduation - walked and jogged home as another sub, Jeff Tenney, launched a two-run homer. Chris Wold, the final sub, singled and moved to second on AJ's single. With two on, Austin singled to score Chris and Jamy walked to load the bases. Eric lofted a flyball to score AJ and Jeff Johnson singled to plate Austin for the fifth run of the inning.
The defense held strong again in the second and Immanuel was shutout. The Warriors took a 6-0 advantage into the third inning. The team managed more one-out offense in the third as Jordan singled and watched Jeff Tenney destroy his second two-run homer of the game to dead center. Those two runs pushed Rez Life's lead to 8-0.
Immanuel didn't score in its half and Rez had a chance to put the game away for good, but faltered in the fourth, scoring no runs on one hit.
Immanuel took advantage of the little window and scored two runs in the bottom half on three hits. It would have been more but after consecutive singles started the inning, Eric made a dynamite defensive play at second for the first out which prevented a potentially huge inning.
Leading 8-2, Rez added one run in the top of the fifth, using singles from Jon, Tenney, and Chris. The Warriors had their second base-running blunder in the inning that prevented Austin from batting with the bases loaded in the inning. Thankfully, it didn't end up hurting the team.
Immanuel refused to go away, chipping away some more by adding two runs of its own in the bottom half. Three singles and a walk made it 9-4 Rez after five innings.
In the sixth inning, the Warriors were held scoreless as another base-running mistake caused an out instead of having runners at first and second with no outs. Live and learn, right team?
Immanuel added another run to make it 9-5 going into the final frame. Thankfully the Rez Life defense was strong, allowing only the one run while stranding two runners.
Rez Life was able to push two insurance runs across in the top of the seventh on four singles but stranded two more runners. Jon ripped his third single of the game to lead off the inning. With one out, Jordan singled for his second hit which put runners at first and second for Tenney's hot stick. Tenney delivered driving one off the wall in center, scoring Jon. Chris followed with an RBI-single to score Jordan and make it 11-5. A force-out brought Austin up with two on and two outs, but he hit a lazy flyball to left-center to end the inning.
Things got interesting in the bottom of the seventh. Immanuel started the inning with a single, double, RBI-single, and an RBI-groundout to make it 11-7 with a runner on first and one out. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases with one out and a sacrifice fly made it 11-8 with runners on first and second and two outs. A single loaded the bases again and brought the winning run up to bat with two outs. Thankfully, a routine flyball to left ended the game.
The team managed 20 hits on the night but the subs went a combined 8-11 with four runs scored and seven RBI to earn the collective Player of the Game. Austin and Jon each added three hits.
The Warriors now play Wooddale who they handled easily last season. However, Wooddale has a revamped lineup and should be a much tougher opponent. The game is at 7:50 on field 2. I predict a 20-run game and a victory for the Warriors. Also, look for at least one homerun from Austin, but don't rule out two. Rumor has it, Jason Merritt has promised a homerun also. Everyone will have to show up to see what happens.
Rez Life started off well and it looked like it was going to be a blowout, but the bats quickly died down and completely vanished in the late innings as Immanuel erased an early 8-0 deficit to bring the winning run up to plate in the last inning before ending the game on a flyout.
The Warrior bats got on the board in the first inning after Austin Colby singled but was forced out on a Jamy Antoine groundout. With one out, Eric Johnson singled to move Jamy to second and Jeff Johnson followed with a fielder's choice that forced Eric at second but moved Jamy to third. With two outs Jon Engbrecht singled to score Jamy but Jeff was caught leaning around second a little too much and was picked off the base. That was the first of three base-running miscues by the Warrior runners in the game.
In the bottom of the first, the Rez Life defense turned its 6th doubleplay of the year as sub AJ Larson fed Eric at second who turned the doubleplay nicely.
Leading 1-0, Rez padded that lead with five runs in the top of the second. With one out, Jordan Schumack - fresh off his college graduation - walked and jogged home as another sub, Jeff Tenney, launched a two-run homer. Chris Wold, the final sub, singled and moved to second on AJ's single. With two on, Austin singled to score Chris and Jamy walked to load the bases. Eric lofted a flyball to score AJ and Jeff Johnson singled to plate Austin for the fifth run of the inning.
The defense held strong again in the second and Immanuel was shutout. The Warriors took a 6-0 advantage into the third inning. The team managed more one-out offense in the third as Jordan singled and watched Jeff Tenney destroy his second two-run homer of the game to dead center. Those two runs pushed Rez Life's lead to 8-0.
Immanuel didn't score in its half and Rez had a chance to put the game away for good, but faltered in the fourth, scoring no runs on one hit.
Immanuel took advantage of the little window and scored two runs in the bottom half on three hits. It would have been more but after consecutive singles started the inning, Eric made a dynamite defensive play at second for the first out which prevented a potentially huge inning.
Leading 8-2, Rez added one run in the top of the fifth, using singles from Jon, Tenney, and Chris. The Warriors had their second base-running blunder in the inning that prevented Austin from batting with the bases loaded in the inning. Thankfully, it didn't end up hurting the team.
Immanuel refused to go away, chipping away some more by adding two runs of its own in the bottom half. Three singles and a walk made it 9-4 Rez after five innings.
In the sixth inning, the Warriors were held scoreless as another base-running mistake caused an out instead of having runners at first and second with no outs. Live and learn, right team?
Immanuel added another run to make it 9-5 going into the final frame. Thankfully the Rez Life defense was strong, allowing only the one run while stranding two runners.
Rez Life was able to push two insurance runs across in the top of the seventh on four singles but stranded two more runners. Jon ripped his third single of the game to lead off the inning. With one out, Jordan singled for his second hit which put runners at first and second for Tenney's hot stick. Tenney delivered driving one off the wall in center, scoring Jon. Chris followed with an RBI-single to score Jordan and make it 11-5. A force-out brought Austin up with two on and two outs, but he hit a lazy flyball to left-center to end the inning.
Things got interesting in the bottom of the seventh. Immanuel started the inning with a single, double, RBI-single, and an RBI-groundout to make it 11-7 with a runner on first and one out. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases with one out and a sacrifice fly made it 11-8 with runners on first and second and two outs. A single loaded the bases again and brought the winning run up to bat with two outs. Thankfully, a routine flyball to left ended the game.
The team managed 20 hits on the night but the subs went a combined 8-11 with four runs scored and seven RBI to earn the collective Player of the Game. Austin and Jon each added three hits.
The Warriors now play Wooddale who they handled easily last season. However, Wooddale has a revamped lineup and should be a much tougher opponent. The game is at 7:50 on field 2. I predict a 20-run game and a victory for the Warriors. Also, look for at least one homerun from Austin, but don't rule out two. Rumor has it, Jason Merritt has promised a homerun also. Everyone will have to show up to see what happens.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Warriors Get in the Win Column
The Resurrection Life Warriors got their first victory of the year with a 13-2 trouncing of St. Andrew Red. The Warriors jumped out in the first inning and cruised to the 10-run rule victory. The momentum was halted in the second game of the twinbill as Living Word beat Rez Life for the 4th straight time, 16-6.
Game 1 didn't have many fireworks offensively, with four of team's 11 hits and 6 of its runs coming in the first inning. Jason Merritt started things with a walk and Andy Briggs pushed him to second by coaxing three balls as well. Austin Colby delivered an RBI single to plate Jason and was followed by a lineout from Eric Johnson for the first out.
Lee Valle singled to load the bases and Andy scored on Jon Engbrecht's grounder that was mishandled. Jeff Johnson then ripped the first of his two doubles scoring Austin and Lee. Adam Hey lofted a sacrifice fly to plate Jon E. and John Wooten doubled down the left-field line to score Jeff and give the warriors a quick 6-0 lead.
St. Andrew went down quickly in the first, with the inning ending on a nice unassisted doubleplay up the middle from Austin.
In the top of the second, Rez Life added two more runs. Andy walked to start things and scored on Austin's double to dead center. Austin advanced to third on the throw home and scored on Eric's hard-hit grounder to short, making the score 8-0. Unfortunately, on Austin's double, Andy hustled home to score but suffered a minor injury as his knee cap swelled up like Dumbo's ears. Thankfully, we have heard back from the medical team and things are looking up for Andy's knee.
St. Andrew went down without scoring again and Rez Life added another doubleplay in the inning as Eric snagged a liner at second and fired to Austin covering the bag to pick up two quick outs.
The Warriors went down quietly in the third, leaving two runners on. St. Andrew chipped away in the bottom half, scoring two runs of its own making it 8-2 after three innings. St. Andrew knocked out four straight hits to score its only two runs of the game. The Warriors defense managed another doubleplay, this one also unassisted but from Lee at third.
The bats added three more runs in the top of the fourth to seal the win and stop any momentum St. Andrew may have had. Andy's replacement, Ben Terfehr, walked to start the inning and scored on Austin's second RBI double. Austin again advanced to third on the throw home and scored on Eric's sac fly to make it 10-2 with one out. Lee reached on an error and moved to second on a walk from Jon E. Jeff roped his second RBI double to right-center to score Lee. Consecutive flyouts ended the inning with Rez on top 11-2.
St. Andrew stranded two runners and didn't score in the bottom of the fourth and the Warriors put two more across in the top of the fifth to bring the 10-run rule into play. Jamy Antoine walked and moved to second on Jason's single up the middle. Ben ripped an RBI single to plate Jamy and proceeded to get in a rundown between first and second which allowed Jason to score. Ben made if safely back to first during the melee. Austin followed with his fourth hit of the game but a hard-hit grounder from Eric led to a doubleplay and a grounder from Lee ended the inning.
The Warriors' defense turned its franchise-record fourth doubleplay in the bottom of the frame to preserve the 10-run rule. With runners on first and second and no outs, Austin - who had moved to left-center - dove to snag a sinking liner and fired to Eric at second for the nifty play. A grounder to Jon E at third ended the game, 13-2.
Jeff earns Player of the Game with his 2-2 performance including those RBI doubles. In his third plate appearance he drew a walk.
Game two wasn't as fruitful for the Warriors as their proverbial thorn-in-the-side foe, Living Word pushed them around via 10-run rule.
The game started even, but one big inning from Living Word in the bottom of the fourth ended things quickly.
In the top of the first, Jason singled and Jamy doubled to score the first run. Austin singled to score Jamy and give the Warriors an early 2-0 lead. Living Word left a runner on base in its half so the Warriors had a 2-0 edge after one inning.
Inning two saw Rez Life score two more runs on four hits. Lee, Ben, Adam and Jason provided the hits with Jason's two-out two-rbi double the big blow. Living Word's first three batters scored in the bottom half to make it 4-3 but a nice doubleplay that went Lee to Eric to Jeff ended the inning.
Again, the Warriors scored two runs in their half of the inning. Austin doubled and jogged home on Eric's two-run homer to left. Living Word only managed one run in its half so Rez Life had a 6-3 advantage going into the fourth frame.
The Rez Life bats' sputtered going down in order in the top of the fourth which set up the big inning for Living Word. Rez Life got two outs after Living Word scored three runs but a tough play on a flyball to center opened the door for Living Word's bats and they responded, ripping off five straight hits including two homers to blow open the game and put Rez Life down 14-6 going into the fifth.
The Warriors managed to load the bases with one out after singles from Jamy, Austin and Eric but a hard-hit grounder turned into an inning-ending doubleplay. Living Word needed just two runs to end the game and did so on a two-run homer with one out.
It was a tough game for Rez Life and dropped the team to 1-2 overall. The next game pits Rez against Immanuel. The two teams have split games in the past two years, with Rez winning handily twice and Immanuel claiming two three-run victories. Look for the Warrior bats to bounce back hard. I'm predicting a 20-run game and a victory.
Game 1 didn't have many fireworks offensively, with four of team's 11 hits and 6 of its runs coming in the first inning. Jason Merritt started things with a walk and Andy Briggs pushed him to second by coaxing three balls as well. Austin Colby delivered an RBI single to plate Jason and was followed by a lineout from Eric Johnson for the first out.
Lee Valle singled to load the bases and Andy scored on Jon Engbrecht's grounder that was mishandled. Jeff Johnson then ripped the first of his two doubles scoring Austin and Lee. Adam Hey lofted a sacrifice fly to plate Jon E. and John Wooten doubled down the left-field line to score Jeff and give the warriors a quick 6-0 lead.
St. Andrew went down quickly in the first, with the inning ending on a nice unassisted doubleplay up the middle from Austin.
In the top of the second, Rez Life added two more runs. Andy walked to start things and scored on Austin's double to dead center. Austin advanced to third on the throw home and scored on Eric's hard-hit grounder to short, making the score 8-0. Unfortunately, on Austin's double, Andy hustled home to score but suffered a minor injury as his knee cap swelled up like Dumbo's ears. Thankfully, we have heard back from the medical team and things are looking up for Andy's knee.
St. Andrew went down without scoring again and Rez Life added another doubleplay in the inning as Eric snagged a liner at second and fired to Austin covering the bag to pick up two quick outs.
The Warriors went down quietly in the third, leaving two runners on. St. Andrew chipped away in the bottom half, scoring two runs of its own making it 8-2 after three innings. St. Andrew knocked out four straight hits to score its only two runs of the game. The Warriors defense managed another doubleplay, this one also unassisted but from Lee at third.
The bats added three more runs in the top of the fourth to seal the win and stop any momentum St. Andrew may have had. Andy's replacement, Ben Terfehr, walked to start the inning and scored on Austin's second RBI double. Austin again advanced to third on the throw home and scored on Eric's sac fly to make it 10-2 with one out. Lee reached on an error and moved to second on a walk from Jon E. Jeff roped his second RBI double to right-center to score Lee. Consecutive flyouts ended the inning with Rez on top 11-2.
St. Andrew stranded two runners and didn't score in the bottom of the fourth and the Warriors put two more across in the top of the fifth to bring the 10-run rule into play. Jamy Antoine walked and moved to second on Jason's single up the middle. Ben ripped an RBI single to plate Jamy and proceeded to get in a rundown between first and second which allowed Jason to score. Ben made if safely back to first during the melee. Austin followed with his fourth hit of the game but a hard-hit grounder from Eric led to a doubleplay and a grounder from Lee ended the inning.
The Warriors' defense turned its franchise-record fourth doubleplay in the bottom of the frame to preserve the 10-run rule. With runners on first and second and no outs, Austin - who had moved to left-center - dove to snag a sinking liner and fired to Eric at second for the nifty play. A grounder to Jon E at third ended the game, 13-2.
Jeff earns Player of the Game with his 2-2 performance including those RBI doubles. In his third plate appearance he drew a walk.
Game two wasn't as fruitful for the Warriors as their proverbial thorn-in-the-side foe, Living Word pushed them around via 10-run rule.
The game started even, but one big inning from Living Word in the bottom of the fourth ended things quickly.
In the top of the first, Jason singled and Jamy doubled to score the first run. Austin singled to score Jamy and give the Warriors an early 2-0 lead. Living Word left a runner on base in its half so the Warriors had a 2-0 edge after one inning.
Inning two saw Rez Life score two more runs on four hits. Lee, Ben, Adam and Jason provided the hits with Jason's two-out two-rbi double the big blow. Living Word's first three batters scored in the bottom half to make it 4-3 but a nice doubleplay that went Lee to Eric to Jeff ended the inning.
Again, the Warriors scored two runs in their half of the inning. Austin doubled and jogged home on Eric's two-run homer to left. Living Word only managed one run in its half so Rez Life had a 6-3 advantage going into the fourth frame.
The Rez Life bats' sputtered going down in order in the top of the fourth which set up the big inning for Living Word. Rez Life got two outs after Living Word scored three runs but a tough play on a flyball to center opened the door for Living Word's bats and they responded, ripping off five straight hits including two homers to blow open the game and put Rez Life down 14-6 going into the fifth.
The Warriors managed to load the bases with one out after singles from Jamy, Austin and Eric but a hard-hit grounder turned into an inning-ending doubleplay. Living Word needed just two runs to end the game and did so on a two-run homer with one out.
It was a tough game for Rez Life and dropped the team to 1-2 overall. The next game pits Rez against Immanuel. The two teams have split games in the past two years, with Rez winning handily twice and Immanuel claiming two three-run victories. Look for the Warrior bats to bounce back hard. I'm predicting a 20-run game and a victory.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Warriors Fall in Season Opener
The Resurrection Life Warriors lost a tough slugfest to Pax Christi 20-17 to open its season in the loss column.
Both teams hit the ball extremely well, as the Warriors banged out 27 hits including five doubles, three triples, and three homeruns. Eric Johnson captured the season's first Player of the Game with an impressive 4-4 showing with 2 runs, 6 rbi with a double and a dinger off the light pole.
The Warriors started a little slowly as the top of the order didn't get things going until late in the game. However, the 17 runs and 11 extra base hits were a great offensive start to the season.
Austin Colby added four hits, including three triples. Newcomers Ben Terfehr and Adam Hey both added four hits as well. Ben ripped a homer to left as one of his hits.
Adam not only had a great offensive debut but he also filled in ably on the mound. The Warriors will be without their pitcher, Jordan Schumack, until mid-May and Austin is the backup pitcher but also the shortstop. With a shortage of infielders this season, the team will try and use Austin at short as often as possible. Because of that, Adam volunteered to pitch and went the distance. He struggled early in the game but after a two-batter hiatus in the first, he settled down and did a nice job.
After taking the lead in the third inning, the Warriors had their victory hopes dashed in the bottom of the fifth as Pax Christi rattled off 12 runs to take a 20-12 lead going into the final inning because of time limitations.
The Warriors did mount a rally pushing five runs across in the sixth and nearly got back to the top of the order with one homerun left to use.
Jason Merritt, Jeff Johnson, Jon Engbrecht, Andy Briggs and John Wooten all added two hits. Jeff tore a two-run homer through the wind to right-center for the first homer of the season.
The team looks to get back on track with a double-header this week versus St. Andrew Red and last year's nemsis, Living Word.
Both teams hit the ball extremely well, as the Warriors banged out 27 hits including five doubles, three triples, and three homeruns. Eric Johnson captured the season's first Player of the Game with an impressive 4-4 showing with 2 runs, 6 rbi with a double and a dinger off the light pole.
The Warriors started a little slowly as the top of the order didn't get things going until late in the game. However, the 17 runs and 11 extra base hits were a great offensive start to the season.
Austin Colby added four hits, including three triples. Newcomers Ben Terfehr and Adam Hey both added four hits as well. Ben ripped a homer to left as one of his hits.
Adam not only had a great offensive debut but he also filled in ably on the mound. The Warriors will be without their pitcher, Jordan Schumack, until mid-May and Austin is the backup pitcher but also the shortstop. With a shortage of infielders this season, the team will try and use Austin at short as often as possible. Because of that, Adam volunteered to pitch and went the distance. He struggled early in the game but after a two-batter hiatus in the first, he settled down and did a nice job.
After taking the lead in the third inning, the Warriors had their victory hopes dashed in the bottom of the fifth as Pax Christi rattled off 12 runs to take a 20-12 lead going into the final inning because of time limitations.
The Warriors did mount a rally pushing five runs across in the sixth and nearly got back to the top of the order with one homerun left to use.
Jason Merritt, Jeff Johnson, Jon Engbrecht, Andy Briggs and John Wooten all added two hits. Jeff tore a two-run homer through the wind to right-center for the first homer of the season.
The team looks to get back on track with a double-header this week versus St. Andrew Red and last year's nemsis, Living Word.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
New Season Brings New Faces
Well, it looks like Spring has finally joined us and that means we can hit the fields running with our softball team. We had a very successful 2007 campaign and it looks like 2008 could be even more fun.
This year we have several new faces. We had to say goodbye to long-time team members, AJ Larson, Nick Larson, and Matt Shuster. Scheduling and family matters just didn't make the season work for these boys and we'll miss them all. Chris Burr was another 3-year player and he too will have to take a summer off because of scheduling issues. Matt Hanson and Brendan Finn were recent additions to the team but a move to South Carolina and scheduling issues ended their short tenure. All tough losses and impossible to replace, but we wish them well and know we'll be seeing them all soon enough.
The team's roster is set with 12 members this season. There are several returning members, as usual, but we have an influx of new faces thanks to the departed status of so many from 2007. We'll be posting individual player profiles as the first few weeks progress, once everyone has gotten to know each other a little better.
However, we have plenty of veteran players returning and we'll start profiling them today, starting with Team Captain Lee Valle.
You can read all about Lee's on-field exploits in the next post as well as his fashion sense, favorite movies and career stats.
Games start tonight on Field #3 at Eden Prairie Round Lake Park and it should be a great start to the Spring.
Welcome Back Everyone!!
This year we have several new faces. We had to say goodbye to long-time team members, AJ Larson, Nick Larson, and Matt Shuster. Scheduling and family matters just didn't make the season work for these boys and we'll miss them all. Chris Burr was another 3-year player and he too will have to take a summer off because of scheduling issues. Matt Hanson and Brendan Finn were recent additions to the team but a move to South Carolina and scheduling issues ended their short tenure. All tough losses and impossible to replace, but we wish them well and know we'll be seeing them all soon enough.
The team's roster is set with 12 members this season. There are several returning members, as usual, but we have an influx of new faces thanks to the departed status of so many from 2007. We'll be posting individual player profiles as the first few weeks progress, once everyone has gotten to know each other a little better.
However, we have plenty of veteran players returning and we'll start profiling them today, starting with Team Captain Lee Valle.
You can read all about Lee's on-field exploits in the next post as well as his fashion sense, favorite movies and career stats.
Games start tonight on Field #3 at Eden Prairie Round Lake Park and it should be a great start to the Spring.
Welcome Back Everyone!!
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