The Doolies struck first, plating two in the top of the first inning. The Stiffies would answer by scoring five in the second to take a short-lived 5-2 lead. Walkowitz hit the first of his two homers with one out in the top of the third, sparking a four-run inning.
After the Stiffies tied it up in the bottom of the third, Mike "Cop-A-Feel" SanGiorgi opened the scoring in the fourth inning with his first bomb of the season, igniting the inning that changed the game. The Doolie offense kept things rolling by following SanGiorgi's homer with six consecutive hits, highlighted by (you guessed it) Walkowitz's three-run homer. The five runs scored in the fourth gave the Doolies an 11-6 lead, one that they wouldn't relinquish.
The Stiffies made things interesting by closing to within 11-9 in the sixth inning, but back-to-back doubles by shortstop Nick Benvenuto and catcher Brian Toal followed by a run scoring single from right fielder John Germinario gave the Doolies a pair of insurance runs and a 13-9 victory.
What we can take out of this game is that the most important thing for us is to not allow teams to have the big inning. The defense wasn't great, but it was able to stop the bleeding when we had to have it, which is really the key to our season. We must avoid the innings where we completely meltdown defensively. An error here and an error there can be overcome, but multiple errors in one inning can't be.
Good teams find ways to win even when they don't have their best stuff. We didn't play our best game, offensively or defensively, and found a way to get the job done. Let's hope that's a sign of things to come.
awesome write up beansy (please do this all season), but since i played LF for the majority of the game (4 innings) i'd like to be referred to as the LF for that game. thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteYou were the right fielder when you got the hit.
ReplyDeleteNicky, nice work documenting the game. However you did miss noting the 4th inning when willy scratched his balls for a half hour and Gos's bat throw which he'll be benched for. Also, can we launch a facebook attack on E.Gos this week, apparently he's already making excuses that 4 of their players won't be there on Sunday.....in the words of Artie Lange "wah wah waaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
ReplyDeleteJust noting that the new survey question is a little off. Of course Melly, Drewsy and Gos will continue to play sub par ball... but the fact that people think Chachi will have a break out year is flawed. Not because he is not going to take down opposing pitchers as if they were running through the Lincoln Tunnel naked after dark, but because he had a break out year last year. This kid isn't poised to break out, he is poised to solidify his standing as a man to be feared. Now I am not saying that he wouldn't end up hitting one more dinger a month if he had a mustache, but I think everyone is in agreement on that. Lets just say that if this was a salary year it looks as if the Doolies would be worried about being able to afford "the son of Enzo" next year.
ReplyDeleteI will NOT be benched
ReplyDeletehey, just gotta say thanks to whoever ELSE voted for me... mighty big of ya
ReplyDeleteThis poll is really taking off. I mean I see where Drew is coming from in reference to Chachi, but I think we are all looking for him to take it to the next level. Pretty sure he was the only guy who picked up a bat in the off season and played in a competitive game. Looks like their are a few votes for the Monk, couple guys were impressed with his first game. OK, Monk I see you workin. Melly with 4 votes. That is just tremendous. Clearly a couple guys know he is secretly down in NC takin his cuts. Finally, poor Drewsy. Looks like either he didnt vote for himself or his main man Pully stabbed him in the back.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the verbal blow jobs guys, always nice to hear. And Gos either you or benched or you are on the beer list twice for a bat throw, Rule #13 SubSection ET.9 of the Doolies Hand-Book; Stating: Bat Throwing will not be tolerated and punishable by 3 Inning Benching or Purchaing Beer for the team.
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