2025 Fall AL Game Summaries
Welcome to the AL Game Summaries. Here you will find results, game summaries and occasional statistical updates for most games. Most recent are shown first. I have no editor so please forgive grammar, punctuation and typos. Thanks for reading.
Jeff Smarr
December 9
Another beautiful afternoon for softball. Specialty Companies continued their winning ways and are now in first place. The first game was close, the second one somewhat close and the third one, not close at all. Here's the report, followed by some stats:
Timber Creek 12, Bibianos 11
Timber Creek jumped out to a 7-2 lead before their bats cooled and Bibianos warmed up. Bibs was able to put up 4 in the fourth and after holding TC scoreless in the home half, we had a one run game. Both teams put up three in the fifth and turns out, that was all the scoring on the day as Timber Creek went home with the 12-11 victory. For Creek, now 5-7 on the season, Mike Ickes, "Mr. double," went 4/4 with no doubles, but a triple instead. Dave Price, who leads the "3's with a .760 average, added to it, going 3/3 with a walk, Keith Zelhoffer, right behind him, went 3/4, while Mike Pruden, Pete Bell and Joedy Pack went 2/3 with Joedy also getting a walk. Steve Starr, got the win for TC. For Bibianos, who slipped to 5-6, both Scott Cole and Bob Strawser went 4/4 with Scott getting a pair of doubles while Bill Mann and Tom Nadel each went 3/4.
Specialty Companies 19, Kingers Medicare 15
Specialty Companies, won their third straight and that combined with a Reynolds Rangers loss later in the day, moved them into sole first place at 7-4 on the season. Similar to our first game, Specialty came out swinging scoring the max 4 in the top of the first and then blanked Kingers in the bottom. Kingers, however, didn't go away quietly, chipping away at the lead and after a 4 run fourth by KM, the deficit was narrowed to 2, 13-11. Specialty then re-gained control scoring 6 in the next two innings giving them a six run lead going into the open inning. After a scoreless top, Kingers needed six to tie, but only managed two and Specialty would win, 19-15. As might be expected, lots of good days at the plate for SC, including both Tim Ely and Lynn McAdam going 4/4 with Lynn also getting a walk. John Galles went 3/3 with a double and triple, Dave Burton 4/5 with a double, while Mike Pruden and Rodger Beckes went 3/4 with Pruden getting the W. For Kingers(5-6, )Steve Oberg went 4/5, with 5 others going 3/4: Greg Bradley (W,) Rob Merrill (3b,) Sky Soom (2b,) Larry Klopfstein (2b,) and Randy May.
Armed Forces 15, Reynolds Rangers 6
Reynolds Rangers, after starting the season 4-0, have found wins hard to find. Not to be deterred, RR took the field in sparkly new Red jerseys, but unfortunately, it didn't end up making a difference as this one was all Armed Forces, who after starting out with an 11-1 lead, basically played even the rest of the way. RR did close the gap to five, through 5 innings, but after AF scored 4 in the top of the sixth to go up 9, even a flip-flop that gave the Rangers an extra at-bat didn't result in any more runs and the score would end 15-6, Armed Forces. For Armed Forces, who evened their record at 6-6, Pete Laufer reached all 5 times he batted, going 4/4 with a walk, while Craig Josz went 4/5 with his first triple. Four others went 3/4: Winning pitcher Jim Alexander, George League, Steve Glaviano and Mark Maynard with Glaviano getting his third triple of the season. For the Rangers, now in second place at 6-5, Arne Kvarnberg, Lori Alexander and Mike Adair went 3/4 while John Miller went 2/3.
Statistical leaders through Friday, December 5, does NOT include today's games:
Batting Average by rating(Minimum 25 ab's):
1: Rachau .839, Josz .764, Kniager .733, Searcy .706, Ickes .682
2: Price .769, Hinson .763, Merrill .733, Bradley, .690, Mann .678,
3: Sepich .722, Zelhoffer .679, Burton .625, Soom .608, Klopfstein .594
Hr's: Glaviano (2,) Mann, Kniager (1,)
3b's: Kniager (3,) Ickes, Galles, Mann, Farbanks, McGehee, Glaviano, Thaden (2,)
2b's: Ickes (16,) Doxtader ( 8,) Hinson,Laufer (7,) Rachau, Galles, Maynard, Soom (6,)
BB: Zelhoffer (7,) Josz, Barrio (5,) Rachau, Klopfstein (4,)
December 5
While the NW battled wind and rain, the mid-west prepares for frigid temps and the east coast scoops up snow, 4 games of softball were played in 65-70 degree sunshine. Three of the four were competitive and we had a doubleheader for two teams. When the dust settled, We have a two-way tie at the top and 5 of 6 teams are within 1.5 games. Here's a re-cap of what happened:
Kingers Medicare 22, Reynolds Rangers 19 (8 innings.)
Kingers Medicare scored 4 runs in the first three innings, and more importantly, four in the extra frame and that was just enough to outduel Reynolds Rangers and go home with the 22-19 win. The Rangers, even with the early offense from Kingers, kept the game close, trailing by only 3 after three. After a scoreless fourth and fifth for Kingers, RR was able to knot the game at 12. After both teams scored 4 in the sixth, the open inning would decide it. Or would it? The visiting Kingers scored two and the Rangers had a chance to win it in regulation but stranded the runner at second. On to extras where Kingers scored 4 without recording an out while Reynolds only scored the "ghost" runner giving Kingers the W. All but one player for Kingers(5-5,) had at least 3 hits, led by Sky Soon's 5/5,2b performance. Three others were 4/5: Steve Oberg, Larry Klopfstein and winning pitcher Doc Doxtader with one of his hits being a double. Three others (Vernell King, Jack Smith and Bill Penzel,) all went 3/4 with a double, while Rob Merrill and Greg Bradley went 3/5. For the Rangers, now in a first place tie with a 6-4 record, all but two players had at least 3 hits, with Ron Wiebold leading the way at 5/5. Going 4/5 were Steve Glaviano, Arne Kvarnberg, Randy Searcy and Mike Adair with Steve, Arne and Randy all doubling. Three hit days were had by John Hinson and Bob Thaden with Hinson getting two doubles and Thaden a triple.
Specialty Companies 19, Bibianos 7(six innings.)
On paper, this looked to be a good one. Two teams, both at 5-4 with the winner, by virtue of the Rangers loss earlier, moving into a tie for first place. Apparently one team got the memo, while the other missed it. The game was 11-0 after three and a late rally by Bibianos is the only thing that kept this from being a five inning mercy rule, instead of six. Ultimately, Specialty was too strong, prevailing 19-7 in six innings. Specialty scored 4 runs in all but two innings with the only scoreless one being the fourth when a pitching change by Bibs briefly stopped the momentum. Specialty (6-4,) had 4/4 days from both Ron Barrio and George Fairbanks and 3/4 days from Alan Kniager (2b,3b,) Dave Rachau (two 2b,) Lynn McAdam (2b,) and Ron Barrio. Kniager also got the win on the mound. For Bibianos, now even at 5-5, Bob Strawser was 3/3 with a double, Bob Schweitzer also 3/3, Dale Smith 2/2 with a walk and Scott Cole 2/3.
Armed Forces 15, Timber Creek 11(game one)
What started out as a tight game, ended up being one that wasn't really as close as the score indicated. While both teams scored 7 runs in the first two innings, AF continued to add on, while TC took three innings off. By the time Creek scored 4 in the bottom of the sixth, they were still down 4 heading to the open inning. Creek did hold AF scoreless in the top of the seventh, but only managed one hit in the home half giving Armed Forces the 15-11 win in the first of two game these two would play. Armed Forces had 4/4 performances from both Noland Hess and Mark Maynard with Pete Laufer going 4/5 with a double and triple. Timber Creek saw Keith Zelhoffer and Dave Price both go 4/4 with Keith getting a pair of doubles.
Timber Creek 17, Armed Forces 11
The second game, unlike the first was actually closer than the final score would indicate. Early on, it looked like TC might be on their way to a comfortable win, but a no-out 4 run fourth by AF made it a one run game heading down the stretch. Creek would go on to score the next 6 runs with the Forces finally getting a couple in the home sixth, but that only made it a five run game. The seventh saw TC score one and AF go down quickly with the game ending on a 5-4-3 double play to seal the 17-11 Timber Creek win. Creek was led by Jerry Sepich, who went 4/4 and three others who went 4/5: Mike Ickes (4/5, (3) 2b,) Joedy Pack (4/5, 2b,) and Dave Price. Armed Forces had five players reach 3 times: Fred Ruocco, Steve Glaviano, Dennis Zafferano, Mark Maynard and Pete Laufer.
Multiple impressive performances today, in approximate, subjective, order of achievement: Dave Price (8/9,) Mark Maynard (7/8,) Keith Zelhoffer (6/7, (2)2b, W,) Mark Maynard (7/8)Pete Laufer (7/9, (2) 2b, 3b, Joedy Pack (7/9, 2b,) Mike Ickes (5/8, FIVE DOUBLES,) Jerry Sepich (5/6,W, 2b,) Noland Hess (6/8,) Mark Dudzik (5/8, (2) 3b, 2b,) George League (5/7,) Steve Glaviano (5/8 W, 2b,) Dennis Zafferano (6/9,) Joe Brouch (5/8.)
December 2
A little rust from the layoff but still two close games and one, not so much. Here's a brief summary:
Bibianos 12, Armed Forces 10
Bibianos scored all of their 12 runs in the first four innings, while Armed Forces scored the majority of their runs from the fourth inning on. In fact, Bibs only had two more base runners the rest of the way. The open inning started with visiting Bibianos holding a two run lead and after going down quickly, the Forces came up chasing two. Winning pitcher Bob Strawser and his defense silenced Armed Forces bats as they also went down 1,2,3 giving Bibianos the 12-10 victory. Mike Ickes led the way for Bibianos going 3/3 with a pair of doubles, Bill Mathews was 3/4 and Ron Barrio was 2/3. For Armed Forces both Pete Laufer and Joe Brouch were 3/4 with a triple, while George League, Noland Hess and Al Guilliot were 2/3.
Specialty Companies 9, Reynolds Rangers 8
Specialty Companies scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 9-8 lead. Turns out that would be all they would need as both teams would go scoreless the rest of the way and Specialty would eke out a victory. Reynolds did make it interesting, loading the bases in the top of the seventh, but pitcher Alan Kniager was able to escape with the win when John Galles snagged a hard line-drive to left center. For Specialty, Dave Rachau and Tim Ely were 3/3, while George Fairbanks, Dave Burton, Lynn McAdam and Kniager were 2/3. For Reynolds, John HInson was 4/4, Randy Searcy 3/4 with Lori Alexander going 2/3 with a walk while Tom Reynolds and John Miller also went 2/3.
KIngers Medicare 12, Timber Creek 7
Our final game was a one-side affair with Kingers jumping to an 11-3 lead through four innings. Creek did put up 4 in the top of the sixth to pull within four, but they would score no more giving Medicare a 12-7 victory. Kingers got a 4/4 day from both Steve Glaviano and Greg Bradley with Glaviano getting a triple and Bradley a double. Sky Soom and winning pitcher Doc Doxtader went 3/4 and Bill Penzel 2/3. For Creek, Joedy Pack was 4/4, Keith Zelhoffer 3/3 and Pete Bell made his fall debut, going 2/3.
November 25
On Thanksgiving eve,eve we had three good ballgames with the first two being the main course with the last one, like dessert, was the best part of the day. If you read long enough, you might even hear a mention of some Steve Starr heroics. Nine days later, here's the report:
Armed Forces 13, Kingers Medicare 9
Armed Forces put up 4 runs in each of the first two innings, while holding Kingers Medicare scoreless. This one was never really a ballgame although Kingers putting up seven runs in their last two bats did make the score respectable. Winning pitcher Jim Alexander also shined at the plate going 4/4, while the one and two hitters, Steve Glaviano each went 4/5. Al Guilliot also shined going 3/4 with two doubles with Dennis Zafferano going 2/3. For Kingers, Keith Zeohoffer, not surprisingly, went 2/2 with a walk, Greg Bradley and Doc Doxtader were 3/4 with Doc doubling twice and Steve Oberg was 2/3 with a walk.
Reynolds Rangers 16, Bibianos 9
The second game looked like it might be a shootout with both teams scoring the max 4 in the opening frame. One team, the winning Reynolds Rangers, continued to score, putting up 3 in the next four innings, while Bibianos only put up a few and only a three run sixth kept them from the Mercy rule, ultimately falling 16-9. Lots of strong offensive performance for the Rangers: Craig Josz and Joedy Pack, 4/4; Mike Adair, Arne Kvarnberg and Dave Burton 3/4: Randy Searcy 2/3 while Ron Wiebold and Tom Reynolds were 3/5. For Bibianos, Steve Oberg was 4/4 while Dale Smith, Tom Nadel, Bill Mathews and Jeff Smarr each went /3
Timber Creek 14, Specialty Companies 13
Steve Starr's sixth inning bases loaded triple broke open a tight game, putting Timber Creek up five in an eventual 14-13 win. The teams were one run apart four innings, and after Creek scored four in the fifth to go up 5, it looked like it might be enough. Turns out Specialty wasn't done, closing the gap to two with 3 in the top of the sixth. The bottom saw the first three batters single, but two outs later, no runs had scored. Up stepped Starr, who promptly sent a shot to right that rolled almost to the wall, quickly clearing the bases, and not so quickly getting Steve to third. Specialty did score three in the top of the seventh, but that was one shy and Starr, who also got the win on the mound kept the tying run from scoring. In addition to thanking the Lord, his mother and father and his wife, Starr was thankful to the the third base coach for not realizing that only three had scored and therefore keeping him from dying half-way home. Timber Creek got a 4/4 day from Lori Alexander, and 3/4 days from Starr, Joedy Pack, Dan Braddock and Dave Price. In addition to Starr, Pack and Mike Ickes also tripled. For Specialty, Dave Rachau had a 5/5, two double day, Alan Kniager and Mark Dudzik were 4/5, Tim Ely 3/4, while Jim Alexander and Dave Burton were 3/5.
On a day that features a couple of PNW angles, we had a walk-off win, a blow-out and a low scoring affair. The Northwest angle? First the fact that the rain finally stopped long enough to get in today's games(something NW softball is used to,) and the second was a NW guy getting a game winning hit. Here's the non-bias report of today's action:
Bibiano's 11, Timber Creek 10
November 21
Jeff Smarr's two-out bases loaded single scored Bill Mann from third giving Bibiano's a walk-off 11-10 win over Timber Creek. The teams were tied at 2 after the first and 7 after fourth inning. Creek pulled ahead 10-7 in the fifth and after Bibs scored one in the sixth, it was a 10-8 lead lead for TC heading into the open inning. Creek got a couple on board, but were unable to plate any runs. leaving Bibs needing two to tie and 3 to win. Tom Nadel got a one out single to start things off. After a FC, consecutive singles by Steve Oberg and Bill Mann put the tying run on third. Bob Strawser tied it up with a single. After a long discussion Creek chose to pitch to Mark Dudzik whose single loaded the bases. Smarr, who to say had been struggling lately, would be putting it mildly, came through with a two-strike, no doubt about it line drive to center to secure the win for Bibianos. Winners of three straight, Bibianos is now tied for second at 4-3. In a game that saw only one extra base hit, Bill Mathews bases clearing double, Biblianos had three players go 4/5: Oberg, Mann and Dudzik. Nadel wemt 3/4 while Strawser and Scott Cole went 3/5. For Creek, who dropped to 2-5, Roger Piazza and Jerry Sepich were 3/4 while Keith Zelhoffer also reached 3 times, going 1/2 with a pair of walks.
Armed Forces 9, Reynolds Rangers 5
Our second game featured more extra base hits, but only a little suspense as league leading Reynolds Rangers fell behind early and by the time they showed signs of life, were down 7, a deficit they were unable to overcome, ultimately losing their second straight, 9-5 to the Armed Forces. The teams were tied at 1 after one, but after AF put together a one-out rally in the home half of the second scoring the max 4 on the strength of a pair of doubles by Sky Soom and Pete Laufer with one of Craig Josz 4 hits knocking in the final run. AF would get two more in the third, one in the fifth and sixth and that was more than enough to secure the win. Armed Forces, who moved to 3-4, got a 4/4 day from Josz, 2/2 and a walk from Noland Hess, 3/4 with a double for Pete, amd 2/3 from Al Guilliot. For Reynolds, still in first place at 5-2, John HInson continued to rake going 4/4 while Bob Thaden and Randy Searcy were 3/4 with Searcy getting a double and Mike Adair went 2/3.
Kingers Medicare 16. Specialty Companies 2
If I told you team A sent 42 to the plate, had 27 hits and a walk while team B sent 22 and had 8 hits, you'd assume team A won handily. In this case, you'd be right. 9 out of 10 players reached base twice for team A, which in this case is Kingers Medicare, while only two reached twice for Specialty Companies. In fact, only two players got 3 plate appearances. KIngers scored 4 in the first, and at least two in all but the second on their way to a run-rule 16-2 victory. As might be expected, Kingers, now 3-4, had lots of good days at the plate led by a pair of 4/4 days by winning pitcher Doc Doxtader and the red-hot Rob Merrill with Doc getting a double. Pat Moran went 3/3, while Larry Klopfstein, Sky Soom, Keith Zelhoffer and Vernell King went 3/4 with Sky getting a pair of doubles. For Specialty, now tied for second at 4-3, Dave Burton and Jack McCormack were both a perfect 2/2.
November 14
Friday's games were moved up by an hour so the one-pitch tourney could start on-time. A modern-day post covid record 28 runs in the open inning of game three ruined that plan, but gave us a game for the ages. Lots of offense to talk about in that one and also two normal games. At the end of the day, the standings were tightened as the Rangers suffered their first loss. Here's the report, with the last game first:
Kingers Medicare 27, Timber Creek 25
Imagine a game where you score 17 runs in the top of the last inning to take a 15 run lead. Then picture the home team having the first 15 people reach safely to pull within three before an out was finally made. Well that's what happened in this game. Kingers Medicare never trailed in this game until a 4 run bottom of the sixth gave Timber Creek a two-run lead heading into the open inning. How would Kingers respond? How about putting up 18 hits and by the time Sky Soom hit into a FC in his THIRD at-bat of the inning, Kingers had scored 17 to take a 15 run-lead. Kingers second baseman Larry Klopfstein was heard saying that if they lost the game, he was going to quit. Up steps the Creek, needing 15 to tie and 16 to win. Most teams would start thinking about the weekend plans, or perhaps getting in line for a hot dog. PItcher Alan Kniager, who had held TC relatively in check apparently wasn't aware that you can't get a win and a save in the same game as suddenly Kingers couldn't get anybody out. Soon Creek had pulled within two and had the tying run at the plate. Kniager was able to retire three of the last 5 batters he faced and a grounder back-to the-box ended it giving Kingers the 27-25 win. Rob Merrill, Vernell King, Kniager, Soom, Bill Penzel, Klopfstein, Jack Smith and Pat Moran all reached safely twice in the inning for Kingers, while Craig Josz, Keith Zelhoffer, Mark Maynard, Dave Price, Jerry Sepich and Mike Pruden did so for Timber Creek. Overall, Kingers, who improved tp 2-4, had strong days from almost the whole team. Rob Merrill was 6/6, both Kniager and Soom went 5/6 with Alan getting a double, Smith and Moran went 4/5 with two doubles for Jack, Klopfstein was 2/3 with 2 walks, Steve Oberg and King were both 4/6 with a double and Penzel was 2/3 with a double. Lots of good days from Timber Creek as well: Maynard and Josz each reached base all six times they batted with Maynard going 6/6 and Craig 5/5 wih a walk. Dave Price was right behind going 5/5, Zelhoffer also reached 5 times, going 3/4 with two walks, Sepich was 3/4 with a walk, Starr was 3/4 and Dan Braddock was 4/6 with a double. Thanks to both teams for providing the large crowd the game-of the year so far. to quote Kniager"Since the stands were full, we wanted to keep everyone engaged."
Specialty Companies 10, Reynolds Rangers 7
Reynolds Rangers came into this game as the last remaining undefeated team in the fall session. Specialty Companies, meanwhile, had the second best record. First pitch was at 8 am and apparently the offense for both teams took a little while to wake up. Specialty gradually pulled away, taking a 5 run lead into the bottom of the sixth. Reynolds put up 3 in the home half, but Specialty put up two in the top of the seventh and while Reynolds was able to get the tying run to the plate, they were not able to get the hits needed sending us to a final 10-7 victory for Specialty Companies. For Specialty, who improved to 4-2, Dave Burton continued his hot start to the season, going 5/5. Alan Kniager, George Fairbanks and Dave Rachau each reached four times with Alan going 4/5 while George and Dave went 3/4 with a walk. For the Rangers (5-1,) Tom Reynolds was 3/3 and sub Mark Maynard went 3/4.
Bibianos 14, Armed Forces 4(six innings.)
Bibianos put up the max 4 runs in the 1st, 5th and 6th running with the last 4 giving them a 10-run lead after six and a mercy-rule victory over Armed Forces. The game was 4-3 after the first and 4-4 after the third. The Forces were unable to plate anymore runs while Bibs put up 10 runs in the 4th-6th inning creating the final margin in a game that was close, until it wasn't. Bibianos, who evened their record at 3-3, got 4/4 days from Scott Cole and Mark McGehee as Cole continues his strong start to the session. Manager Dale Smith was 2/2 with a walk, Bill Mathews 2/3 with a walk while Bob Thaden had a double and triple and Bob Thaden two doubles. For Armed Forces, Craig Josz was 2/2 with a walk and a double, Joe Brouch 2/3 and Steve Glaviano had a triple.
November 11th
Veterans day brought us three games that all were decided by four runs or less, lots of subs and an extra-inning affair that saw the umpire get a key hit. Caught your attention? Read on:
Specialty Companies 11, Armed Forces 7
Alan Kniager's sixth inning grand-slam put Specialty Company up by 5 heading into the open inning in a game SC would ultimately win, 11-7. Armed Forces was the first to score, putting up the max 4 in the third. sending 8 to the plate. Specialty would then score 4 and 3 runs respectively and after a scoreless fifth, had a 3 run heading into the sixth. Mark Maynard's triple started a two-out rally for AF that got them within one. Singles by Tim Ely, George Fairbanks and John Galles loaded the bases for Specialty and Kniager did the rest, sending a line-drive that found it's way all to the wall and Kniager was able to beat the throw home for the GS. Alan's slam completed a 4/4 day. Specialty also had Dave Rachau go 2/2 with a walk, Fairbanks 3/4 and Ely and Bill Mann go 2/3. Armed Forces was led by Noland Hess at 3/3 while four others went 2/3: Steve Glaviano, Al Guillot, George League and Maynard. Jack McCormack got the win for Specialty.
Reynolds Rangers 18, Timber Creek 16
The second game of the day was close most of the way but in the end, Reynolds Rangers survived a late rally from Timber Creek to remain unbeaten with a 18-16 final score. This game started out looking like a Big-12 football game; Lots of offense, as both teams scored the max 4 in the first two innings. In each of these innings, only one batter for each team didn't reach safely and all the hits were singles except for Jack McCormack's double. The scoring would slow and after five, the Rangers had a two-run lead. The visiting Rangers started to put some distance between them in TC, scoring 4 in the sixth with Ron Barrio completing his 5/5 day to knock in the fourth run. Creek would put up two in the home-half, but after the Rangers put up 3 more in the seventh, Creek was now chasing 7. What seemed insurmountable began to seem mountable (?) as the first six batters singled for Creek. Winning pitcher Ron Wiebold was able to retire 3 of the next four batters to end the threat and the game, preserving the win for the Rangers. Lots of good days at the plate for both teams. For the Rangers, in addition to Barrio's 5/5, pitcher Wiebold was 4/4, Bob Thaden and Bill Mann were 4/5 with two doubles for Thaden, Larry Klopfstein was 2/2 with a walk and sac, while Les Strueby and John Hinson both went 3/4 with a double. For Timber Creek, both Steve Oberg and Keith Zelhoffer reached four times with Steve going 4/5 with a double and triple and Keith 3/4 with a walk. Also going 3/4 for TC were John Galles, Dan Braddock and Tony Willett with Galles getting a triple, while Roger Piazza also reached three times, going 2/3 with a walk.
Bibianos 15, Kingers Medicare 11 (8 innings.)
Bob Strawser's bases clearing double in the top of the eighth inning put Bibianos up by 4 runs and that was more than enough to secure Bibiano's second win of the young season. Both teams came out swinging, each scoring 4 in the first, Bibianos doing it without making an out. Bibianos would score 4 again in the fourth giving them a lead that they would hold through 6 & 1/2 innings. Needing two to tie and three to win, home team Kingers tied it at 11 and had the bases loaded before a fly out to Bill Mann ended the rally and sent the game to the extra inning. Bibianos didn't mess around needing only 4 batters to score the four runs. Scott Cole led-off with his fifth hit of the day, scoring the ghost runner. After Mann was walked, Bob Thaden, who started the game umpiring before turning in his clicker as an injury replacement, singled to right and then with runners on the corners, Strawser gapped one to the wall to score both Mann and Thaden. Kingers, facing Strawser on the mound, went down quietly in their half inning and Bibianos secured the 15-11 win with Strawser getting the win. Lots of offensive for Bibs led by Cole's 5/5, two double performance. Mann was right behind him, going 4/4 with a walk and two doubles. Strawser ended up 4/5 with a double, while Les Strueby, before departing with an injury, Mark McGehee and Jeff Smarr all reached three times in 4 plate appearances with Strueby and McGehee both 3/4 with a double and Smarr 2/3 with a walk. For Kingers, four players reached base 3 times: Sky Soom (2/2, bb, sac,) Rodger Beckes (3/4, leg double,) Doc Doxtader (3/5, 2b,) and Steve Glaviano (2/4, bb.)
November 7th
A couple of close games and one, not so much. Scoring continues to be low and Reynolds Rangers remains undefeated. Here's a bit on how it all went down:
Armed Forces 7, Kingers Medicare 5
The first game of the day started early and ended early. Apparently the offenses arrived late as this one was only a 3-2 Kingers lead after four innings. Kingers would then score two in the top of the fifth two go up 3. Finally the Forces alarm clock went off as they answered with a 4-spot to take a one run lead. Kingers had no answer, going scoreless the rest of the way and the Forces ultimately prevailed, 7-5. Not a lot of big days for either team, but AF did get a 4/4 day from Craig Josz, 3/3 from Al Guiliot and 2/3 days from battery mates Jim Alexander and George League, with Alexander also getting the win. For Kingers in defeat, Greg Bradley was a perfect 4/4, Doc Doxtader was 3/4, Rob Merrill 2/3 with a walk and Jack Smith was 2/3.
Specialty Companies 10, Timber Creek 8
Specialty Companies used a 4 run sixth inning to take a late lead and after holding Timber Creek scoreless in the seventh, came away with a 10-8 victory. Early on this looked like it might be a high scoring affair with Creek opening with three and Specialty answering with four. Turns out Creek continued to put up runs and by the bottom of the sixth had moved ahead 8-6. After a lead-off single in the home half, a sure double-play didn't happen, due in part by a hustling Rodger Beckes. Specialty would take advantage as five of the next six batters reached safely with Jack Smith singling in the fourth and final run. Creek got two on in the seventh, but failed to score and Specialty got the W. Dave Burton led the way for the winners, going 3/3 with a walk. Smith went 3/4, while Tom Reynolds and winning pitcher Jack McCormack went 2/3. For TC, both Dan Braddock (3/4) and Steve Glaviano (2/3,BB,) reached 3 times while Keith Zelhoffer went 2/3 with a sac.
Reynolds Rangers 12, Bibianos 5
The first place Rangers started quickly scoring 4 in the first while Bibianos offense never really got started. While the Rangers continued to add on, Bibianos were stuck in neutral. In the end, the Rangers would stay undefeated with a a 12-5 victory. The Rangers John Hinson used a variety of ways to reach base safely all 5 times, including two doubles and finds himself with a league leading .875 batting average. Winning pitcher Jim Alexander and Ron Wiebold were 3/4, Bob Thaden was 3/5 with a double and Ron Barrio was 2/4 with a walk while adding a double. For Bibianos, don't blame Les Strueby as he went 4/4 with a double. Also for Bibs, both Scott Cole and Bill Mann were 3/4 with Cole doubling while Bob Schweitzer went 2/3 with a double.
Play resumes on Tuesday with a reminder Friday's games start an hour early.
November 4th
Tuesday once again had the middle game decided in the final inning. Reynolds Rangers remains the only undefeated team, but all teams now have at least one win. Here's an extremely brief summary:
Timber Creek 7, Bibianos 4
Normally when a team scores four runs in the first inning without making an out, holds the other team scoreless and then loads the bases with no outs in the second they go on to win the game. Not in this game as not only did Bibianos not win the game, they never scored another run. Through 5 innings, Bibs still clung to a one run lead. Would it be enough? Not after Timber Creek sent 6 to the plate in the bottom of the sixth with Keith Zelhoffer finishing his perfect day at the plate with a sacrifice to knock in the 4th run and give TC a 7-4 lead. Bibianos went down quietly in the seventh and Timber Creek got the win. Zelhoffer would end up 3/3 on the day while Joedy Pack went 2/2 with a walk. Also for TC, Jack Smith, Dan Braddock and winning pitcher Jack McCormack went 2/3. with McCormack tripling in his first at-bat. For Bibianos, who only managed 12 hits, Bob Schweitzer, Les Strueby and Jeff Smarr were 2/3.
Specialty Companies 15, Kingers Medicare 14
This game was a close all the way with neither team ending an inning leading by more than 3. In both the third and fourth inning the visiting Specialty put up four only to have Kingers answer right back. In the sixth, after holding SC scoreless, Kingers took their first lead, scoring the max 4. Trailing by one heading into the open inning, Specialty got the fifth hits of the day from Dave Rachau and John Galles and the fourth from Bill Mann, scoring two runs to take a one run lead. With Kingers needing one to tie and two to win, winning pitcher Jack McCormack pitched a three-up, three-down inning to secure the win for Specialty Companies, who got their first win on the young season. As mentioned earlier Rachau and Galles each had five hits, going 5/5. Four of Galles hits were doubles. Two others in addition to Mann went 4/5: Bill Mathews and George Fairbanks. For Kingers, Vernell King was a perfect 4/4 and four others reached 3 times: Mike Ickes 3/4 (three doubles,) Bill Penzel and Sky Soon (3/4,) and Doc Doxtader (2/3, bb, two doubles.)
Reynolds Rangers 14, Armed Forces 9
Armed Forces scored nine runs in the first three innings and that was it. The still undefeated Reynolds Rangers were more methodical, scoring in all but one inning , gradually pulling away for a 14-9 victory. The Rangers had six people reach at least three times led by winning pitcher Lori Alexander who went 3/3 with a walk. Going 3/4 were Bob Thaden, Keith Zelhoffer, Bob Adair and Arne Kvarnberg with Arne doubling. Jack Smith also had three hits. For the Forces, Joe Brouch went 4/4 from the lead off spot, Mark Maynard and Craig Josz each went 3/4 with Josz recording a double. Also worth noting Steve Glaviano had I believe his second inside-the-park HR off the season.
October 31st
The second day of the season gave us two relatively comfortable margins sandwiched around a walk-off win. After today, all but one team has at least one win. Here's a brief summary and some offensive highlights:
Bibianos 15, Specialty Companies 9
Bibianos scored at least one run in every inning, eventually pulling away in the mid-innings to cruise to a comfortable six-run victory over Specialty Companies. Four players reached base four times for Bibs with sub Greg Bradley and Bill Mathews each going 4/4, winning pitcher Bob Strawser 3/3 with a walk and Scott Cole leading off and going 4/5. Bill Mann filled up the stat sheet going 3/4 with a double, triple while also contributing a sac fly. Randy Searcy filled in for Specialty and went 3/4 while Don Parker had a triple.
Reynolds Rangers 10, Kingers Medicare 9
The Rangers Arne Kvarnberg's game-winning two RBI single in the bottom of the seventh scored John Hinson from third and Randy Searcy from second to complete a come from behind 10-9 walk-off victory over Kingers Medicare. This game was close the whole way as the teams were tied after every inning, meaning the winner of the seventh would be the winner of the game. Kingers scored two runs in the top half on the strength of a two RBI single from Bill Mann, so the Rangers would need two to tie, three to win. Ron Barrio led off with a single, then with one out, Hinson singled followed by Searcy with a double that scored one and put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Kvarnberg then hit a long single into the gap allowing both Hinson and Searcy to score with the tying and winning runs. For the Rangers, the only undefeated team at 2-0, Barrio and Hinson each went 3/4 with a double for Hinson while Tom Reynolds and winning pitcher John Miller each went 2/3. For Kingers, who in the loss had the first two Hr's of the season, rookie Larry Klopfstein continued to impress, going 3/3. Bill Mann went 3/4 with a HR, Vernell King and Greg Bradley each went 2/3 with King getting a triple while Steve Glaviano had an inside the park HR and Mike Ickes had two doubles.
Timber Creek 13, Armed Forces 5
Timber Creek used six substitutes one of whom was winning pitcher Bob Strawser to hold Armed Forces scoreless through the first five innings. Creek's offense, meanwhile, had max 4-spots in the third and fifth giving them a 9-0 lead heading into the sixth. The Forces did finally come to life scoring 4 in the top of the inning, only to see Creek answer back with four of their own. The Forces went down quietly in the seventh giving Creek and it's band of subs an easy 13-5 win. TC got strong performances from the top of their lineup with lead-off Mike Ickes going 4/4 with two doubles and a triple and #2 Keith Zelhoffer going 3/3 with a Sac. Five others went 2/3: Bill Mann, John Galles, Dan Braddock, Strawser and Jeff Smarr, with Mann getting a double. For Armed Forces, Craig Josz got three more singles, making him 7/7 on the young season. Pete Laufer and Dennis Zafferano both went 2/3 with one of Dennis's being a double.
October 28th
The first days of the fall session is in some ways like Spring Training in the Majors. Lots of meeting and greeting with most folks not tying to overdo it. Unlike MLB, the first games here count in the standings. Two teams were so anxious to play, they went to extra innings in a veiled attempt to keep up with the WS the night before. We have games to report on. Here goes:
Reynolds Rangers 16, Specialty Companies 13
If there was any rust from these two teams, it came off quickly, particularly on the offensive end of things with both teams scoring the max 4 runs in the first two innings. Apparently the pace was too much as neither team scored in the third with only the respective pitchers, John Miller and George League getting a hit. The visiting Rangers picked things back up plating 4 in the fourth and sixth to go up 7. Specialty did get 4 in the home half, but that ended up being all the scoring for this game as the Rangers won 16-13. RR got 4/4 days from Miller, John Hinson and Randy Searcy with Searcy doubling twice. Ron Barrio also reached all 4 times with two hits and two walks. Bob Thaden, Arne Kvarnberg and owner/manager Tom Reynold went 3/4 with Lori Alexander also reaching three times gong 2/3 with a walk. For Specialty, Dave Rachau and John Galles each went 4/4 with a double from Rachau. Alan Kniager was 3/3 with a double, triple and a sac, while Dave Burton, Don Parker and manager George Fairbanks went 3/4 with Fairbanks getting a double. Miller got the win on the mound for the Rangers.
Armed Forces 16, Bibianos 6
The second game was the most lopsided of the day. Bibianos started out extra slow, sending the minimum three to the plate the first two innings. The Forces, meanwhile sent 14, but left six runners stranded so despite all the traffic, only led 4-0 after two. The top of the third provided a glimmer of hope for Dale Smith's Bibianos squad as they scored 4 to tie it up. Armed Forces followed with back-to-back 4-spots while Bibs could only muster two more runs. AF scored 4 more in the home half of the sixth to earn the first mercy rule victory, 16-6. All 10 players reached base at least twice for AF led by Craig Josz who had 4 singles in 4 at-bats. When kidded about having no extra base hits, Josz responded "I work on the average first, the power comes later." Five other Rangers reached base 3 times: George League 3/3, Steve Glaviano, Jimmy Alexander and Dennis Zafferano (2b) 3/4, Mark Maynard 2/2,walk, Noland Hess was 2/3. For the team in Orange, Halloween did not come early and did not come loaded with hits. Dale Smith and rookie Tom Nadel each went 2/2, Scott Cole, Bob Schweitzer and Jeff Smarr were 2/3. Bibianos had no extra base hits. Ouch. Alexander got the win for Armed Forces.
Kingers Medicare 8, Timber Creek Ranch 7
Steve Oberg's extra inning, two-out single to right scored "ghost runner" Mike Adair from second base lifting Kingers Medicare to a come from behind 8-7 victory over a stunned Timber Creek Ranch. TC put up four to open the game and take an early 4-0 lead. Kingers chipped away with a run in each of the next three innings. The scoring continued to crawl along slowly and after TC put up runs in the fifth and sixth to lead 7-3, it looked like they would hold on. Turns out Kingers had other plans, scoring 3 in the bottom of the sixth to close the gap to one. After holding TC scoreless in the seventh, Kingers tied the game and had a chance to win it as with the bases loaded, Adair hit a hard single up the middle in what looked like the GWRBI, but a charging LC fielder Joedy Pack fired a strike to a stretching Ron Wiebold for the force at second and we would have our first extra inning game. In the home half, Creek was unable to score the "ghost" runner so Kingers's came up needing just a run to win it. Larry Klopfstein was intentionally walked, putting runners on first and second. The next batter lined out towards second and Adair was almost doubled off, but was ruled safe. Steve Oberg then sliced one into right field that was just fair. As the ball rolled around. Kingers decided to send Adair home and the hustling Adair would just beat the throw giving Oberg a walk-off hit and Kingers a win to start the season. Bill Mann subbed and led the way for Kingers, going 4/4 with a double. Greg Bradley, Rob Merrill and rookie Sky Soom went 3/4. For Creek, "Mr Double," Mike Ickes, did his job, going 4/4 with two of his trademarks. Nobody else did better than 2/4 although Mark Maynard did get a triple. Doc Doxtader earned the win for Kingers.
Games resume Halloween friday at 9 am. Will there be more ghost runners? We shall see.