This game started out by both teams scoring on defensive errors in the 1st inning to make the score 1-1. Step Parents may have scored more had it not been for a great catch and throw to first by Tony Lusk of Punani. Tony was playing catcher, the kick was one of those balls that comes off the foot wrong and is spinning weirdly but barely 6 feet off the ground ...Tony had his momentum going forward, reached out and just snagged the ball. The runner at first didn't think it was catchable and had started heading towards second since the ball had moved into fair territory, Tony saw this and doubled him up to finish the inning. Tony, we think it's time you bring out the family to see those mad skills!! Tony's play was great at catcher tonight, however Jeremy Wagner's play at catcher for Step Parents was phenomenal! Wagner was playing the bunt perfectly tonight and recorded 8 outs on the night himself with throws to bases. ESPN's Tim Kurkjian commented on the play of Wagner, "Look, we always think Jeremy is one of the most athletic guys on the field on any given night, tonight we saw the smarts, athleticism, and energy come together in MVP like fashion. If he keeps this up, his name is going to be mentioned with former MVP catchers like Joe Robertson & Zack Cohn!!" Kudos to you Jeremy, you had an excellent night...get placed in likeness with those two greats and you'll be amongst the elite!! Jeremy's best play of the night was in the top of the 2nd inning and came off a deep bunt that took him running half way to 3rd. He grabbed the ball, spun around, and HOSED the ball to second to get the runner - also just as impressive was the gal 2nd baseman who caught Jeremy's throw - it was screaming & high!! Still tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 2nd inning, Ryan May came up with an RBI infield single to give Step Parents the lead & the momentum. In the top of the 3rd, with runners in scoring position, Jeff Cornetet had 2 strikes and was still able to smack the ball deep enough for a SAC and we were back to a tie ball game. In the bottom of the 4th, Step Parents had the base loaded with no outs, however Punani got out of the inning with a throw to the plate, then doubled up SP on a lined shot leaving SP without a run for all the effort. From here, it was like the Gods had decided - nothing was gonna go Step Parents' way. The next inning (top 5), Tony Lusk was up to bat & lined one to left field, the ball was dropped and PP's first base coach sent Tony to second. The left fielder over threw 2nd and two SP fielders went for the ball and collided. While the two players laid on the ground, there wasn't anyone close to the ball to pick it up so Tony was quickly on his way to rounding 3rd. By the time someone got to the ball to try and throw out Tony at home it was too late and he scored the go ahead run off of what should have been an out. Tony Lusk made a great point after the game saying, "that's the difference in having great base coaching, I was planning on just staying at 1st but heard my coach saying go 2, so I went, before I knew it, I was scoring!!" How many times have you heard us say, be aggressive on the bases? We'll answer that, a zillion!! Moments later, Jeff Cornetet scored off of errant throws from SP and Punani had a 4-2 lead. And then, it was the inning of the SAC!! Yes, the SAC was everywhere for Punani in the top of the 6th inning - no matter where the ball was placed, there was a SAC!! Punani recorded 4 runs off of SAC's and this one started to look out of reach. However, Chris Roberts (still steaming from being pulled in left field) smacked a ball to right-center that may have been misjudged but ended up recorded as a 2-run home run & we had ourselves an 8-4 ball game going in to the 7th. Yet again we find ourselves saying the name Tony Lusk and deservingly so!! Tony started out the top of the 7th with a 2 RBI double - but this was just the start. Punani recorded 7 runs in the 7th and wherever she was, she started singing. Punani Patrol wins 15-4.
Don't Stop Ballieving vs. Your Pitch Makes My Kick Hard:
This game started late and took the players 2 1/2 innings of scoreless play to get warmed up!! In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Derek Superville's hard kicked 3 RBI double gave Kick Hard the first points of the night and a commanding 3-0 lead...nice ball placement Derek!! DSB answered right back in the top of the 4th inning when Jeff Lalama blooped a single to right field that scored 2-runs. In the top of the 5th inning, DSB's Mike Huelskamp bunted a RBI single and we were back to square one with the game tied 3-3. In the bottom of the 5th with darkness setting in, there were 2 outs and Kick Hard had 2 on base due to a controversial call by the referee at 1st base. It was a crucial moment in the game, the pitch was rolled...it was smacked, a line shot tailing away from 3rd towards the gap & 3rd baseman Dan Berlau for DSB jumped up & back while reaching across his body with both hands over his shoulders and somehow managed to make the catch. Not only did this 3rd out catch save runs, it may have saved the referee's head!!! And for that Dan, WE THANK YOU!! VERY IMPRESSIVE!! Going into the top of the 7th inning we had ourselves a tie ball game, the feeling in the air was tense, and the darkness wasn't going to allow this game past this inning. DSB managed to get 2 on base and Tom "The Tank" Harkness didn't mind the darkness whatsoever a nailed a 2 RBI Triple to take the lead!! Dan Berlau was the next kicker, his spirits lifted with his amazing catch, put his final stamp on the game with an RBI single to score Harkness and take a commanding 6-3 lead going into the bottom of the 7th. Kick Hard had 2 outs with a man on and Zack Haynes singled in a run but next was an out and it was game over. This game was even closer than the final score and both teams made a great effort. Don't Stop Ballieving wins 6-4.
Dice vs Banzai Lightning:
What a night for kickball! With the weeks winding down to the tournament these teams showed up to lock in their rankings. The game started out with fireworks in the first inning. Dice wanted to get things cooking and Daniel Linn from center field drew first blood by driving in the first run of two for the inning and putting Dice on the board. And he wasn't done yet, determined to put up another, he turned on the after-burners and made it home to give Dice the lead 2-0. Daniel Linn has become the BEST player for Dice and a contender for this seasons MVP voting...Dan we don't care what your team says, in our eyes you're #1. Even look at his base coaching, or his precious pose, or his sliding technique, or his amazing catch, or his amazing Theme Week Costume, or his Mile High Salute, or backing up 1st like a boss...he IS the whole package!! Dice went on to put up 3 more in the second, another in the 3rd and 2 more in the 4th to give them the lead 8-0 before Lightning had a chance to catch their breath...holy smokes Dice, save some for The 5280 Cup!! In the 5th inning Lightning had finally had enough and put an end to the Dice scoring. Center fielder, Patrick Dahnert, decided it was time to end the Dice shutout and put one out in empty space driving in the first run of the game for Lightning and for that Patrick, WE THANK YOU!! In the 6th inning, Lightning kept rolling the dice on the idea of a comeback. They had scored 1 run and we're looking to add more when perennial all-star, Lisa Fisbeck, showed us her Gold Glove with a beautiful finger-tip-catch to save runs and the inning. Off of that mojo, Dice didn't allow another run. Dice wins 10-2.
Team Grit vs. Put It In The Bunt:
Well ladies and gentlemen tonight was the night to show up if you were trying to place high in the rankings for the tournament. Both teams had their game plan strategies and we were anxious to see who would come out on top. PIITB started off by scoring the first run of the game in the first inning, then added another in the second to have a 2-0 lead. Then, the flood gates opened for Bunt bringing in 6 runs over the next 3 inning and keeping Grit scoreless through the 5th. David Bayouth from left center started the leak by bombing a 3-run homer in the bottom of the fourth and gave Bunt a commanding 7-0 lead. David commented after the game, "my play has really improved since my wife joined the team this season, I truly feel we could win it if she signs up for fall." Wow David, that's a bold statement, we gotta get her on the field!! The unknown first baseman showed his true grit for Team Grit by driving in the first run of the game and ending the shutout. Riki brought in a RBI single in the 5th for insurance with a perfectly placed bunt with bases loaded for Bunt...nice bunt for Bunt Riki!! Grit had a chance to make a great comeback in the top of the 7th but unfortunately couldn't put it in the bunt. Put It In The Bunt Wins 9-1.
while taking nothing away from Dan Linn, the banzai lightning recap forgot to include the real MVP of the game. the referee. he "kicked" in 4 runs for the purple team with his ridiculous calls.
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