Warriors Trounce EPAG

The Resurrection Life Warriors took a commanding hold on fourth place last week with a 15-4 thrashing of EPAG. EPAG had been neck and neck with Rez, but with the victory the Warriors swept the season series.

Rez now sits just a half game out of third and two games out of second. With a strong finish, second place is still very much a possibility.

The offense came out firing Thursday with six quick runs in the first inning. Andy Briggs, Jason Merritt and Austin Colby all singled to start the game. That loaded the bases for Eric Johnson who roped a ball to deep left for his first of three sacrifice flies. Lee Valle followed with an RBI single to score Jason and Jamy Antoine lofted a sacrifice fly, one of his two on the day. Jordan Schumack doubled to push Lee to third with two outs and Jeff Johnson deposited a ball over the left-center field fence for a three-run banger, giving the Warriors a 6-0 edge.

EPAG went down without scoring in the bottom half but Rez stranded two runners in the top of the second and the score remained 6-0 in the bottom of the second inning. EPAG again couldn't muster any offense as the league-leading Warrior defense made quick and easy work of the EPAG bats.

The top of third saw Rez Life score one more run, using a leadoff triple from Jamy who scored on Jordan's rbi-groundout.

Trailing 7-0, EPAG got on the board with one run in the bottom of the third using a walk, taking an extra base on a single that Austin bobbled in centerfield, and a groundout.

It proved to be too little as the Warriors slammed the door shut with four more runs in the top of the fourth to build an insurmountable 11-1 edge. After the first two batters went down in order, Eric drew a walk to start the two-out rally. Lee followed with a walk and Jamy brought home Eric with a single. Jordan singled to load the bases for hot-man Jeff, who coaxed his second walk of the game to score Lee. Adam Hey provided the big blow, knocking out a two-run single plating Jamy and Jordan and capping the inning's scoring binge.

EPAG didn't roll over though and came back wtih two runs in the bottom of the fourth. EPAG knocked out three singles and drew two walks during the inning. Rez added one more run in the top of the fifth as Austin doubled with one out and raced home on a deep flyball out from Eric. Eric's clean sacrifice fly made it 12-3 Warriors.

EPAG didn't score in the bottom half and the Warriors had a chance to put the 10-run in effect in the top of the sixth, but failed to do so, stranding a single from Jordan and Jeff's third walk.

EPAG scored one run in the bottom half, knocking out a triple and scoring on a grounder. Up 12-4 heading into the final inning, the Warriors added three runs for good measure. Andy walked to start things and moved to second on Jason's single. Austin's third hit of the game loaded the bases for Eric, who again lifted a sac fly. Lee singled to score Jason and Jamy answered Eric's sac fly with his second to score Austin and end the game's runs, 15-4 Rez Life.

Jeff earns Player of the Game for his extremely efficient performance. He finished 1-1 with one run scored, four rbi, including a three-run homer and drew three walks. It is Jeff's second honor on the season.

Rez Life now has a doubleheader against league-leader Living Word at 5:50 on field #2 and follows that up against St. Andrew Blue on field #3. Living Word and Rez Life have split games so far this season so Thursday's game will be for bragging rights. The Warriors have not yet played St. Andrew Blue but did have their way with them last season, posting two 20-run innings in two contests.