It became a running joke on the Raider bench - everyone makes the playoffs. We had visions of going 0-20, and heading into the post season with that head of...lukewarm water?
But today, it was different. After losing to each of the other five teams the first time around, we faced the undefeated Outlaws - no brainer right? Not so fast!
We finally put together a complete game, and pushed a relentless offense around the bases and came through at the end when it counted, prevailing 33-27. It was tight throughout. There were seven lead changes through the first seven innings until it settled at 23-23 after those seven. We pushed across three in the eighth on a two run David Gerds double and a sac fly, and the Outlaws only answered with one. But then something happened - in the open ninth we exploded with three straight hits at the bottom of the order, followed after an out by five more hits around a BASES LOADED INTENTIONAL WALK to Gerds and a sac fly. Suddenly it was a ten run lead at 33-23, and even though the Outlaws had the top of their lineup coming up, they could only muster four runs and we had our first win!
The game was all about scoring, but there were a couple of big plays on defense early. Don Devencenzi caught a tough pop up at 2B in the first but it did not stop a five run inning with that top of the Outlaw lineup. Likewise Cary Mitsuyoshi in the second in short right center. But in the fifth, the two of them combined to start a 4-11-3 double play that created a "moral victory": only four runs plated.
Again, it was all about offense and the Raiders had plenty of it.
Gerds led the way at 6-6, including two doubles, two triples, a home run (and yes a single for the cycle) and nine RBIs. Mitsuyoshi was next at 5-5 plus two sac flies and a total of six RBIs. Jay Sankey and Randy Cobb were each 5-7. Dave Balfour, Gidget Blaquer, Ray Oducayen (each four RBIs), David Gratz, Jeff Kravin, and Pat Kiesling added four hits each. It should be noted that Kiesling batting last was a catalyst all game - he was second to Gerds (7) with five runs scored. I have to mention Devencenzi again, because he had a decent 3-6 game and it was remarkable that he was the only one with less than four hits. I can't remember the last time I played in a game where everyone had at least three hits. The team batting average - a nice round .750.
Oducayen pitched all nine, and given the usual assortment of errors, was quite remarkable in holding that Outlaw lineup to 'only' 27 runs.
Now we only owe four teams.
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