Here’s our Week 5 Recap Baseball Blog, folks! After a rained out Week 4 of Koa Baseball, players were chomping at the bit to get back on the field. Our Travel Teams paid particularly close attention to Hurricane Matthew looming in the distance, as Koa Travel prepared for the NVTBL Columbus Day Tournament. Much like the previous week, the rain was not able to hold off, and the tournament was declared cancelled. However, Koa BABL was able to play 8/10 games on Saturday, including one for the history books! Let’s take a look at Week 5’s BABL action!
BABL A
Week 5 Baseball Recap Blog
Bombers (4-1) vs Launchers (0-3-1)
15-3
As the morning mist faded over Cabin John Regional Park, the Bombers and Launchers squared off in the 10 a.m. game Saturday morning. The Bombers continued to impress with help of rookie Declan D. who chipped in with a double and 3 RBI. Following the big Declan double, the rest of the Bombers caught fire en route to 15 runs. The Launchers continue to start games well as Coach Perry now focuses his team on playing a complete 6 innings.
Next Week: Bombers vs Homers; Launchers vs Sluggers (Gm 1), vs Crushers (Gm 2)
Bombers (4-1) vs Factory (4-1)
3-1
In the second game of their doubleheader, the Bombers edged out the highly-talented Factory squad in a 2-run pitchers duel. Henry E. and Luke S. were masterful in this one, combining for four shutout innings on the mound for the Bombers. In one of the best played games of the year, the Bombers and Baseball Factory impressed with their young pitchers and stellar work with the glove.
Next Week: Bombers vs Homers; Factory vs Mashers** (Game of the Week)
Homers (0-3-1) vs Crushers (1-2)
POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN
Next Week: Homers vs Bombers; Crushers vs Launchers
Mashers (5-0) vs Sluggers (0-4)
10-9
An instant classic! The highlight of our Week 5 Recap Baseball Blog. The underdog Sluggers gave the undefeated Mashers everything they could handle as this one game down to the final inning. As the Sluggers went down 6-1 early, the clawed back to take the lead 9-6 in the middle innings behind the help of Henry S. The Mashers were able to tie the game in the last inning, bringing Cooper G. to the plate with the winning run on base. Already having a spectacular day (3 IP, 0 H, 8 K; 4-4, 3B), Cooper G. hit a shot that drove in the winning run for the Mashers! Both coaches after the game: “possibly the greatest BABL game of all time.”
Next Week: Mashers vs Factory (Game of the Week); Sluggers vs Launchers
Coach Aidan and the Sluggers break down the game plan before their game against the undefeated Mashers
BABL AA
Week 5 Recap Baseball Blog
Screwballs (4-1) vs Splitters (2-2)
8-2
In a matchup of 2-1 teams, the Screwball bats got hot early and never cooled off, as they scored multiple runs in the 2nd-4th innings. Robby D. and Lance H. checked in with multi-RBI days while Bobby B. and Oree Y. handled business on the mound. The Splitters were able to sprinkle hits all game led by Alec R., but were unable to cash in as they left 15 men on base. A lot of positive takeaways from both teams on Saturday morning.
Next Week: Screwballs vs Sliders; Splitters vs Farmers
Screwballs (4-1) vs Curveballs (1-4)
9-7
The muddy field conditions did not stop the Screwballs from sweeping their doubleheader and winning their fourth game in a row. In a game ripe with offense, the Screwballs stormed ahead to a 9-3 lead in the 5th inning behind big days from Eli W. (2 hits, 3 RBI) and Roan D. (3-3, 2 R, 5 SB). CJ N. (Curveballs) stepped up to the plate with bases loaded in the last inning… and he delivered with a mammoth bases-clearing double to make it a two-run game! Roan D. was able to stop the bleeding and close this one out for the Screwballs, giving him big ups here in our Week 5 Recap Baseball Blog.
Next Week: Screwballs vs Sliders; Curveballs vs Farmers
Sliders (2-2) vs Fastballs (1-3)
POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN
Next Week: Sliders vs Screwballs; Fastballs vs Changeups
Changeups (4-0) vs Famers (1-3)
12-7
The Changeups continue their dominance as they rattle off their 4th win in a row to start the Fall season. They continue to rely on strong pitching and defense, especially as the field conditions worsened on Saturday afternoon. George K. dealt strikes early and often as he battled through 3 strong innings (3 IP, 1 ER, 3 K). Sammy K. tallied another multi-hit day while knocking in 3 runs and swiping 3 bags. Who’s going to be the first team to stop the Changeups?
Next Week: Changeups vs Fastballs; Farmers vs Splitters (Gm 1), vs Curveballs (Gm 2)
A Screwballs player checks his swing against the Splitters. The Screwballs won both games of their rainy doubleheader
BABL AAA
Week 5 Recap Baseball Blog
Dingers (4-1-1) vs Slammers (3-3)
10-9
The Dingers were able to hold on after a late-game Slammer comeback to stay atop of the BABL AAA standings. Grady W. impressed with 2 crucial RBI’s to maintain a Dinger lead. The Slammers used speed and field conditions to fuel their comeback as Andrew E. (3 hits, 4 SB) and the rest of the Slammers swiped a total of 10 bases. With a one-run lead amid the Slammer rally, the Dingers called on young pitcher Seth B. to shut the door… and he didn’t disappoint. He shut down the final 1.1 innings to seal the deal for the Dingers.
Next Week: Dingers vs Blasters; Slammers vs Wreckers
Wreckers (4-1-1) vs Blasters (0-6)
13-1
Following his recent Koa Coach of the Month nod, Coach Rob Castillo led his Wreckers to another lop-sided win on Saturday. The Wreckers once again looked to take the extra base and minimize mistakes in the field and play a complete ball game. The Blasters, under new Head Coach Al Davis, are far from out in the very competitive BABL AAA.
Next Week: Wreckers vs Slammers; Blasters vs Dingers
The Nationals were rained out, but the rain did not stop the Wreckers on Saturday at Whitman High School
BABL Player/Pitcher of the Week
Week 5 Recap Baseball Blog
Cooper G. (Mashers)
Stats- 3 IP, 0 H, 8 K; 4-4, 3B, walk-off single
| A Standings | W/L | AA Standings | W/L | AAA Standings | W/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mashers | 5-0 | Change-ups | 4-0 | Dingers | 4-1-1 |
| Factory | 4-1 | Screwballs | 4-1 | Wreckers | 4-1-1 |
| Bombers | 4-1 | Splitters | 2-2 | Slammers | 3-3 |
| Crushers | 1-2 | Sliders | 2-2 | Blasters | 0-6 |
| Launchers | 0-3-1 | Farmers | 1-3 | ||
| Homers | 0-3-1 | Fastballs | 1-3 | ||
| Sluggers | 0-4 | Curveballs | 1-4 |
| Koa Travel | W/L |
|---|---|
| 10U | 2-4 |
| 11U | 4-2 |
| 12U | 2-8 |
| 13U | 4-2 |
| 14U East | 3-3 |
| 14U West | 3-3 |
| High School JV | 2-4 |
| High School Varsity | 3-3 |
Presented by Founding Farmers
Tip of the Week
https://youtu.be/xqe81BTr7U4
Week 5 Recap Baseball Blog
Presented by Founding Farmers
