Memorial Ballpark - Week 1 Highlights

Bazinga vs. Jiminy Kick It: The defending champs were back for another title run against an upstart JKI team poised to make an early season statement to the rest of the league. Bazingagot back into their all-star ways early, dropping a 3 spot in the top of the 1^st. JKI was faced with the tall task of playing from behind, and the Bazinga defense did them no favors, keeping JKI off the scoreboard through 3 innings. Bazinga called upon their offense again in the 4^th, going off for another 3 runs in some wild winds that particularly favored the defenses. JKI was set to score their 1^st run, but the winds took the ball right into Bazinga’s defensive hands. Bazinga put a stake in JKI in the 5^th, with a 2 run shot to left to go up 8-0. JKI found the lone open spot in the Bazinga defense in the 5^th, bringing home 2 runs to break up the shutout. JKI had one more shot in the 6^th to tie or win the game, however all 3 batters kicked it straight to the 1^st baseman, effectively ending their chances of a comeback. Bazinga wins, 8-2.

Left Shark vs. Brews on First: Brews on First made their long anticipated return to GKB, while Left Shark made their impactful debut. Left Shark used the tailwind to their advantage early, bombing across 5 runs in the 1^st. BOF wasn’t impressed, as they used Left Shark’s idea against them, scoring 5 of their own. The winds only got heavier, and it showed in 3 ground rule doubles by Left Shark in the 2^nd, bringing home 3 more to go up 8-5. BOF tried a crosswind approach, but blasted the ball straight to the Left Shark defense. Left Shark was able to scratch home a run in the 3^rd, while BOF went back to what they did in the 1^st, and scored 3 to bring the score to 9-8 Left Shark. It looked like Left Shark had the game in the bag after a Grand Slam with 2 outs put them up 13-8. But, not to be out done, BOF put 3 on the board, not letting Left Shark get away yet.  Left Shark scored 1 in the 6^th to go up 14-11 going into the 7^th. Left Shark had seen enough, and put away BOF with a 10 run thrashing to go up 24-11. BOF had some offense, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Left Shark. Left Shark wins, 24-13

I’ll Cut a Pitch vs. Blue Balls V: In a week 1 treat, we got 2 teams that knew each other very well. ICP used the tailwind to drop balls all over the field, scoring 5 in the 1^st. BBV tried to strike back, but were turned away in the 1^st. Pitching took over in the game the rest of the way, with both teams unable to score in the 2^nd and 3^rd. BBV got on the board in the bottom of the 4^th, streaking 3 runs home for a 5-3 contest. ICP retaliated with a 3 spot in the 5^th to go up 8-3. BBV was searching for offense the rest of the way, while ICP was looking to keep their lead. Bottom of the 6th, BBV was only able to convert 1 run home, bringing the score to 8-4. BBV had one more shot at winning in the 7^th, but a line drive to 3^rd and a throw out at 1^st ended the game. I’ll Cut a Pitch wins, 15-5

Hashtag Balls vs. Pitches Be Crazy: Both squads showed up refreshed from a long winter and ready for another great season! Neither team was able to score in the 1^st, but in the bottom of the 2nd, PBC got an early jump in what would be a defensive battle with the wind. A diving stop by Daniel Wylie stopped PBC cold in their cleats. PBC eventually opened up the scoring in the bottom of the 3^rd, rocking home 3 runs to go up 3-0. #Balls pulled a fast one on PBC in the 4^th, bombing 4 runs across to go up 4-3. Bottom 5, PBC found another opening in #Balls defense, scraping home 3 more runs to go up 6-4. Top 7, #Balls scored one to lead off the inning to bring it to 6-5. PBC allowed 2 more baserunners, but turned an amazing triple play to end the windblown battle. Pitches Be Crazy wins, 6-5

Basic Pitches vs KickBallers: BP and KB were both ready to make the best impression possible in a windy night cap. BP struck early, driving home 2 in the top of the 1^st. KB wasn’t going to back down from a challenge, as they returned fire with a run of their own. BP broke out the heavy hitters in the top of the 2^nd, scoring a massive 8 runs to go up 10-1. BP stayed on the offensive in the 3^rd and 4^th, scoring 4 runs and keeping KB off the board to go up 15-1. KB wouldn’t go down without a fight however, scoring 2 in the 5^th. KB had the bottom of the 7^th to score as many as humanly possible, but were stopped in their attempt after scoring 2 more. Basic Pitches wins, 15-5