Colorado Springs - Week 7 - Highlights

Booze on First (royal blue) vs. Gold Ballerz (gold):

Booze on First got a hot start in the 1^st after a leadoff single by Marc O’Meara and an RBI triple by Jason Sanders. Laura and Jared Locke followed with a pair of RBI kicks to make it 3-0. In the 2^nd, Booze on First went through their entire (shorthanded) lineup getting 5 singles and scoring another 2 runs. Gold Ballerz got on the board in the bottom of the 2^nd, when Curtis Owens and Tommy Lovato scored with 2 outs on Ryan McDaniel’s double and Chris Maloney’s single. With a 5-2 lead in the 4^th, Booze on First felt they needed some more runs so Jason Sanders again delivered, this time with a 2-run homer, scoring Marc O’Meara. After plating another run in the bottom of the 4^th, Gold Ballerz scrounged together another couple runs with a pair of RBI singles by Alexis Slider and Tommy Lovato to make it a 7-5 game. In the 6^th, Booze on First was looking to get another rally together to extend their lead, when Jason Sanders completed the cycle by getting a double. But on the next kick by Laura Locke, the Gold Ballerz left fielder Emily Pariera had the defensive play of the season and kicked the ball in from shallow left field and hit Jason in the back as he attempted to score on the play. Jason would get the last laugh though, proving to be the MVP of this game by getting another double in the 7^th, this time knocking in 2 more runs to seal the win for Booze on First.

Final Score: Booze on First 10, Gold Ballerz 5

All My Pitches Love Me (sapphire blue) vs. Bazinga (red):

In the regular season finale, AMPLM were hoping to secure the #2 seed for the PPC tournament and take down the undefeated defending champs. AMPLM jumped out early in the 1^st, getting their first five kickers on base. Beau Kelly scored Joe Karlik with a double, and Kristin Porter and David Siegel followed with RBI singles. Bazinga answered with 4 consecutive singles in the bottom of the 1^st, but only scored 2 runs in the inning to cut their deficit to 1 run. AMPLM added to their lead in the 3^rd with a 2-RBI single by David Siegel to make it a 5-2 game, and appeared to be running away with the game. Bazinga broke out in the 4^th though after a leadoff double by Keith Hausam and single by Todd Brewer, then strung together a 2-out rally to score 4 runs thanks in part to a 2-RBI double by Erik Blessman. Now trailing 6-5, AMPLM was looking to get back on top in the 5^th and Alex Koehler helped that cause by getting a leadoff double. Beau Kelly followed with a walk, and David Siegel later got his 4^th and 5^th RBIs of the game when he sent a ball deep to the outfield for a 2-RBI sac fly, giving AMPLM a 7-6 lead heading into the bottom of the 5^th. Bazinga’s veteran speedsters Nate Kischer and Matt Howes effectively got on base with back-to-back singles and scored on a Keith Hausam sac fly and single by Todd Brewer to take back a 1-run lead after 5 innings. Bazinga’s defense shut down the AMPLM offense 1-2-3 in the 6^th, but got a scare in the 7^th. With Joe Karlik on base representing the tying run, Beau Kelly’s big foot came up to kick with 2 outs. The Bazinga defense was able to hold him to just a single and kept Joe at 3^rd base on the play. Then, they were able to get Kristin Porter to ground out for the final out of the game, securing the big win and keeping their undefeated season alive heading into the PPC tournament.

Final Score: Bazinga 8, All My Pitches Love Me 7

Fort Collins - Week 7 - Highlights

Edora Field 1 (6pm)

Merican Made (Texas Orange) vs. Lunchbox Violators (Neon Orange): Merican Made set out to prove they are the team to beat this season, and boy, did they make a statement! They scored four runs in the 1^st inning, four runs in the 2^nd, two in the 4^th, four in the 5^th, and six in the 6^th. However, the highlight of the game came from the Lunchbox Violators’ Corine Stevenson, whose quick-handed catch in left field quickly vaulted to the top of the SportsCenter Top 10! See the highlight here! Merican Made wins 20-0.  

Edora Park Field 2 (6pm)

Benny THE JET Rodriguezes (Navy) vs. Kickin Grass and Takin Names (Carolina Blue):

With playoff positioning on the line, stakes were high going into this contest! Benny THE JET Rodriguezes drew first blood in the 1^st inning, and then scored two more in the 2^nd to take the early lead! Then Paul “Wowza” Wowk and Aaron “Super” Novacek from Kickin Grass and Takin Names teamed up for a key out at home that partially turned the tide. However, with the game 3-1 heading into the top of the 6^th inning, Taylor “The Scorer” Stauffer from Benny THE JET Rodriguezes regained the momentum for her squad with a slide into first base and then a slide at home to score an additional run. Grant “The Stopper” Stauffer from Benny THE JET Rodriguezes would then throw to home for the first part of a double play in the bottom of the 7^th inning to end the threat. Benny THE JET Rodriguezes wins 6-2.

Edora Park Field 3 (6pm)

Kicktease (Neon Orange) vs. RiKickulous (Neon Yellow):

This game was tight through two innings until Kicktease finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the 3^rd. However, former league MVP Aaron Gaston from RiKickulous made sure the scoring didn’t get out of hand by stopping a run from scoring with a bull’s-eye throw from 3^rd base! Meanwhile, Paul Hueber from RiKickulous had some impressive diving catches at third base as well after Gaston was forced to leave the game due to an injury. The true MVP though was once again Adam Eccher from Kicktease, whose tough pitching kept the RiKickulous scoring threats at bay. Eccher said after the game, “It was RiDiculous how our whole team really stepped up tonight. Our game was definitely more kick than our usual tease if you know what I mean…” Kicktease wins 4-2.

Edora Park Field 1 (7pm)

Merican Made (Texas Orange) vs. Freeballers (Purple):

After putting up 20 runs in the first game of their doubleheader, could Merican Made come out with the same firepower in this one???!!! They jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning, but then sputtered a bit by only scoring in two other innings throughout the game. However, their defense was top notch the whole time, with the highlight being Taylor Nichol’s diving over-the-shoulder catch in left field in the bottom of the 3^rd inning. For the Freeballers, the Brandy Mclease-Brian Hardouin defensive connection was solid all night, including their tip/miss catch in the 6^th inning.  See the highlight here! Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to overcome the impenetrable Merican Made defense. Merican Made wins 7-0. 

Edora Park Field 2 (7pm)

Flint Tropics (Tropical Blue) vs. Ballz n Dollz (Lime):

The Flint Tropics were looking to prove that they have what it takes to win it all, and they definitely had a strong showing in this one! However, it’s never easy against Ballz N Dollz, especially when Phil “The Pill” Alvarado is making one-handed tip catches for double plays, like he did in the top of the 1^st inning… The Flint Tropics had a strong defensive showing as well though—Meghan “The Wiley Coyote” Wilson showcased her volleyball skills while making a key catch in the bottom of the 3^rd inning. But once again pitcher Matt “The Carver” Kelly utilized his crazy spin balls to pitch a shutout. Now on to the playoffs!!! Flint Tropics win 7-0. 

Edora Park Field 3 (7pm)

Where My Pitches At (Cardinal Red) vs. Oilers (Violet):

The Oilers were in dire need of a bounce back win heading into the Horsetooth Cup playoffs, so they were hoping their championship reputation would proceed themselves against Where My Pitches At… The Oilers didn’t disappoint early on in terms of their offense by scoring four runs in the top of the 1^st inning. Meanwhile, the Oiler’s defense remained as stout as ever with Bill Lamon leading the way, including a couple first to third base double plays for outs. Paul Schwarz, Captain of the Oilers, said after the game, “This win was huge for our confidence heading into the postseason. We were thankful our ‘shock and awe’ campaign really scared off the opposing team right from the outset.” Oilers win 7-0.

Colorado Springs - Week 6 - Highlights

All My Pitches Love Me (sapphire blue) vs. Gold Ballerz (gold):

AMPLM was looking to keep hold on 2^nd place in the standings while Gold Ballerz came in trying to get their first W of the season. It wouldn’t take long for AMPLM to throw down the hammer, as leadoff man Alex Koehler got a double and scored on a sac fly by Kristin Porter in the top of the 1^st. Up 3-0 in the 3^rd inning, AMPLM added to their lead with a huge offensive rally of five runs, capped by Matt O’Connell’s 2-RBI double. AMPLM’s defense was in top form as well, keeping Gold Ballerz off the bases in the 2^nd through 4^th innings. In the top of the 6^th up 11-0, AMPLM got each of their kickers up to the plate in the inning and had a stretch of 5 kickers in a row get an RBI hit, started off by Beau Kelly’s RBI double. Gold Ballerz got their offense in gear in the bottom half of the 6^th with a trio of singles by Zack Luczejko, Dylan Halford, and Meghan Mannering to start the inning. Zoey Showers scored Zack on a bases loaded fielder’s choice, and Meghan scored on a Qadry Jenkins single. It was too little too late for Gold Ballerz though, as the 15 run deficit proved to be too much to overcome.

Final Score: All My Pitches Love Me 17, Gold Ballerz 2

Fresh Kicks of Ball Air (black) vs. Booze on First (royal blue):

FKOBA’s Alan Paquin came out of the gate on fire in the top of the 1^st, getting on base with a leadoff single and scoring on Joey Vincent’s sac fly. Shane Martin also scored in the inning on a single by Erin Sheik. Booze on First had an answer in the bottom of the 1^st as Marc O’Meara led off with a single and scored on Meghan Sanders’ single. Jared Locke then scored Laura Locke on a sac fly to tie the game at 2. In the top of the 2^nd FKOBA got the pair of runs back by getting a bases-loaded RBI fielder’s choice by Alan Paquin, and an RBI single by Erik Martin. Down 5-2 in the 5^th, Booze on First’s Jared Locke led off the inning with a frenzied home run, rounding the bases like he had ants in his pants. FKOBA again answered with another two runs off the foot of Erik Martin’s clutch double, scoring Alan Paquin and Shane Martin on the play. Down 7-3 in the 7^th, it was Booze on First’s last chance, and they sure made it interesting. Marc O’Meara scored on a monster triple by Jason Mullis, and Meghan Sanders brought Jason home on a single. Jared Locke got a single to keep the inning going and acted as the tying run, but FKOBA’s pitcher Erik Martin served up a dosage of nasty curveballs to Nancy Mogge to get her to pop up for the final out of the game.

Final Score: Fresh Kicks of Ball Air 7, All My Pitches Love Me 5

Fresh Kicks of Ball Air (black) vs. Bazinga (red):

In the much anticipated rematch of last season’s PPC final (since the first matchup this season was a forfeit), both teams were hoping to get the advantage heading into this season’s PPC tournament. Alan Paquin drew an unprecedented leadoff walk from Bazinga’s Matt Howes, and scored on a Joey Vincent single. Shane Martin attempted to make it 2-0 on the next play, but got called out at home thanks to heads-up defense by Bazinga. FKOBA’s Ryan Piper drew another leadoff walk in the 2^nd and scored on Alan Paquin’s single. Now down 2-0 in the 2^nd, Keith Hausaum led off the inning for Bazinga with a standup triple, but the FKOBA defense wouldn’t allow him to score. Still 2-0 in the 4^th, Bazinga started the inning off with 2 kicks for outs, but then strung together 4 straight singles and 2 walks to plate 3 runs. Captain Erik Blessman knocked in 2 of those runs with a bases loaded single. In the 5^th, Bazinga got one more insurance run thanks to a leadoff triple by Matt Howes and Shane Jahnke’s sac fly. With the lead in their hands, Bazinga put their defense in turbo gear, retiring FKOBA 1-2-3 in the final two innings to preserve the win and keep their undefeated season alive.

Final Score: Bazinga 4, Fresh Kicks of Ball Air 2