Around the Horn Week 6 Recap

By Aidan Edelman

At least one day had good weather last weekend. Saturday was a great day for BABL, and the warm weather was very conducive to offense. We had big hits, lots of runs, walk off wins, come-from-behind wins, upset wins, and a lot of excitement all around.

Sunday is when the rain came. And it seems to have been raining ever since. Though one of our travel teams was lucky enough to get some game action in, the rest were stuck looking out their windows, hoping for the clouds to part.

Here are the highlights:

 

BABL A

 

Bombers @ Sluggers

Bombers 2

Sluggers 3

Upset alert! The Sluggers shocked the Bombers on Saturday with a walk-off win in this back and forth affair, taking down the top team in BABL A. Aaron K. shut down the Bombers’ bats, holding them to only three hits and three walks in three innings pitched. Matty S. and Ouest V. contained the bats of the Sluggers, and Alex B. drove in the Bombers’ only two runs. Edward F. and Gibson M. kept the Sluggers’ hopes alive offensively, and eventually they won 3-2 on walk off error.

 

Mashers @ Homers

Mashers 6

Homers 3

Attempting to win one in the absence of coach Perry Jorss, the Homers played a competitive game against BABL’s second best team by record, the Mashers. It was a pitcher’s duel early, with Leo P. (Mashers) and Zach B. (Homers) each limiting the other team’s offense through the first two innings. The Mashers were able to pull away late though, with the offense being carried by Ollie H. and Dylan T., who hit the first and second home runs of the Mashers’ season, respectively!

 

Sluggers @ Mashers

Sluggers 6

Mashers 7

Each of these teams were coming off a win, and each gave the other all they could handle in a very close, very competitive game. Ethan H. shut the Sluggers down early, allowing the offense to get an early 4-0 lead behind Ryan R.’s clutch single. The Sluggers came back, though, taking a 6-4 lead behind a home run from Edward F. (his second home run in as many games) and several other well-placed hits. In the final inning, needing two runs to tie and three to win, the Mashers orchestrated their comeback. After scoring once while getting out twice, leadoff man James M. had the at-bat of his life, fouling off five pitches in a row with two strikes until he put one in play and beat it out for an infield single. Three batters later, Isaac B. ended the game with a walk-off hit-by-pitch to give the Mashers a sweep on the day!

Homers @ Bombers

Homers 3

Bombers 15

Coming off their surprising loss, the Bombers got back on track by dismantling the Homers. Adam S. pitched two great scoreless innings for the Bombers against a Homers team that was able to put the ball in play consistently. Alex B. continued to hit the ball in game two, including a bases-clearing double to end the game. Facing BABL A’s top seeded team, the Homers tried to get off to a hot start, but couldn’t capitalize on extra base hits by Adam K. and Drew R., both of whom have put a lot of work into improving their games this season.

 

Crushers @ Launchers

Crushers 18

Launchers 2

The first time these teams played, they battled fiercely to an 8-8 tie. In the rematch, the Crushers jumped out early and took it to the Launchers. Ben H. pitched a gem in this one – a complete game in which he allowed only the two runs on four hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. The Launchers’ defense kept letting their pitchers down, allowing for big innings and forcing the team into jams when they were in the field and huge deficits when they were at the plate. When hitting, they felt a little too passive, passing up good pitches to swing at while watching a ton of strikes.

 

Slammers @ Dingers

Slammers 6

Dingers 4

This was a back-and-forth game that was plenty of fun to watch. The Dingers jumped out to an early lead courtesy of a three-run home run by Elliott R., who seems to have found his stroke at the plate. However, the Dingers couldn’t hold their lead, and the Slammers took advantage. The Slammers’ hot bats, led by Daniel H., Tomas C., and Max R. helped the team come from behind, leading the Slammers to victory in their first game.

 

Dingers @ Crushers

Dingers 9

Crushers 6

Another upset in BABL A! The Dingers racked up their second win of the season with a win over the Crushers, who were coming off a large win of their own. In what would be their best game of the season so far, the Dingers pulled off an excellent 9-6 upset win over the Crushers, headlined by Elliott R., who homered again, his second home run on the day and his third in as many games! Nate B. played well defensively, Dom S. shut the door in the final inning, and the team played well as a whole in pulling off the upset win. The Crushers couldn’t carry over their hot start from their last game, though Ben H. added to his gaudy offensive totals from game one – he finished with four hits, four runs scored, and seven RBIs between the two games.

 

Launchers @ Slammers

Launchers 4

Slammers 14

Following their close win against the Dingers, the Slammers afforded themselves a little extra breathing room in this one, as they got out to a big lead against the Launchers. A strong start on the mound from Zach C. and timely hitting from twin brothers Jason and Evan P. got the Slammers their early lead. Jacob K. had a huge relief appearance; entering with the bases loaded and a one run lead, he was able to hold the lead, setting the Launchers down in order. The Slammers would go on to put up one more huge inning where they hit until the time limit expired resulting in a victory. Everyone remained positive and determined in the face of all the negatives for the Launchers, but it unfortunately wasn’t enough.

Next Week:

Mashers @ Bombers

Sluggers @ Homers

Slammers @ Crushers

Launchers @ Dingers

 

BABL AA

 

Fastballs @ Splitters

Fastballs 4

Splitters 22

Total domination from the Splitters in this one, as they easily handled the Fastballs in the early game. The Fastballs actually took a 3-0 lead in the top half of the first, only to be buried by a 12 run answer from the Splitters. After allowing three runs in the first, Peter S. was lights out on the mound. The second and third innings were scoreless, but the bottom of the fourth saw another explosion by the Splitters offense, as they put up ten runs, highlighted by Andrew H.’s home run. The top of the 5 th saw Teddy B. make his BABL AA pitching debut, allowing one run and striking out three to ice the game against the Fastballs. It took a little time, but the Splitters have hit their stride, and are playing lights out right now. Isaac M. was a bright spot for the Fastballs on the mound, striking out two of the three batters he faced in relief.

 

Movers @ Sliders

Movers 7

Sliders 3

The Sliders jumped out to an early lead in this one, working a patient approach at the plate into some early runs against the Movers. However, once this game reached its midpoint, it was all Movers. Chand A., who started for the Movers, shined at the plate with a clutch double and two RBIs while Dylan N. crushed two triples himself. As has been the case all season, though, the Movers’ offense was a full team effort. Chand was followed on the mound by Aaron L., who pitched two innings of perfect relief.

 

Curveballs @ Screwballs

Curveballs 2

Screwballs 9

The Screwballs continued their march through BABL AA with a 9-2 win over the Curveballs. They jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, with Lance H., Charlie R., and Kevin Z. all having multi-hit efforts, and Bobby B., Joey K., and Timmy L. keeping the Curveballs’ bats in check. Will H. pitched three solid innings for the Curveballs before being relieved by Thomas M., who pitched well in his own right. Mateo L. and Cooper G. each had good games at the plate.

Next Week:

Sliders @ Changeups (Monday Night)

Changeups @ Factory (Thursday Night)

Movers @ Fastballs

Splitters @ Sliders

Screwballs @ Changeups

Factory @ Curveballs

Curveballs @ Factory

 

BABL AAA

 

Wreckers @ Dingers

Wreckers 2

Dingers 12

On a rainy Thursday night at Shirley Povich field, the Dingers routed the Wreckers 12-2 in a weather-shortened affair. Stevie J. led the way on the mound, throwing a complete game while allowing only one earned run, picking up the win in the process. Offensively the Dingers were paced by Noah G. and Garrett B., who combined to go 4-5 with three walks and six runs scored at the top of the batting order. Nick K. provided solid defense behind the plate, becoming the first Dingers catcher to catch an entire game this season. The Wreckers weren’t able to match the Dingers at the plate before the game was called. The Dingers were able to exact their revenge on the Wreckers in this one, as they were on the wrong end of a blowout the last time these two teams met.

 

Slammers @ Blasters

Slammers 9

Blasters 8

After losing a close one on a walk-off last time these teams played, the Slammers were looking for revenge against the Blasters. The Blasters jumped out to the early lead in this one, with Jack P., Jeffrey B., and Matthew P. leading the charge and Max S. making hard contact as well (though with little to show for it). The Slammers were resilient, however, and clawed their way back slowly but surely. Within striking distance in the later stages of the game, the Slammers turned on the gas with a rally highlighted by Zach R.’s go-ahead RBI triple. Jack M. was able to shut the door in spite of a rising pitch count, getting help from Zach’s excellent snag at first base. The win was sweet revenge for the Slammers, as they handed the Blasters their first loss to a BABL team this season (they had been bested only by the 13U West travel team prior to this).

 

Launchers @ Dingers

Launchers 9

Wreckers 13

The Dingers won their second straight contest on Saturday, defeating the Launchers in a 13-9 slugfest at Richard Montgomery. Making his first appearance of the season on the mound, Liam C. worked a scoreless inning to pick up the win. Offensively, Liam and Noah G. were a thorn in the Launchers side all day, reaching base an astounding seven times on the day. Matthew L. and Stevie J. did their jobs in the middle of the order, knocking in a combined seven runs. Hector S. also had a solid day at the plate, recording a hit and two walks while scoring three times and recording two RBI. Elias G. came on in relief to slam the door on the launchers in the fifth to secure the win for the Dingers. For the Launchers, Alex R. went 2-3 on the day with two RBIs. He also showed great strides behind the plate defensively. Jake R., Miles D., and Larry B. all pitched well but were let down by several errors behind them.

 

Bradley Eagles Development Team @ Wreckers

Eagles 25

Wreckers 4

The Wreckers got the treat of playing a team from outside Koa, facing the Bradley Eagles 13U Development Team. Bradley looked good against the Wreckers in this one, as the Wreckers failed to get much going offensively, while the defense lagged behind in a blowout loss. Kevin K. pitched two solid innings for the Wreckers, hitting his spots and changing speeds very well. Anthony C. had a booking double and was able to make all the routine, fundamental plays from the outfield. Meanwhile, David L. got the hitting started in the third inning with a single the other way, which helped the team muster all the offense they would get.

Next Week:

Wreckers @ Dingers

Launchers @ Blasters

Blasters @ Launchers

13U West @ Slammers

Slammers @ TBD

 

Travel

 

Only the 14U Green Wave was able to play last weekend due to the inclement weather. So in the meanwhile, here are a bunch of songs with rain in the lyrics. How many of these songs/artists can YOU identify based solely on the lyrics? (Answers next week!)

 

Koa 10U

When you get caught in the rain with nowhere to run

When you’re distraught and in pain without anyone

When you keep crying out to be safe but nobody comes

And you feel so far away that you just can’t find your way home

You can get there alone, it’s okay, what you say is

 

I can make it through the rain

I can stand up once again on my own

And I know that I’m strong enough to mend

And every time I feel afraid I hold tighter to my faith

And I live one more day and I make it through the rain

 

Koa 11U

Someone told me long ago

There’s a calm before the storm

I know it’s been comin’ for some time

When it’s over so they say

It’ll rain a sunny day

I know shinin’ down like water

I want to know

Have you ever seen the rain?

I want to know

Have you ever seen the rain

Comin’ down on a sunny day?

 

Koa 12U

Seven lonely days

And a dozen towns ago

I reached out one night and you were gone

Don’t know why you’d run

What you’re running to or from

All I know is I want to bring you home

So I’m walking in the rain

Thumbing for a ride

On this lonely Kentucky back road

I’ve loved you much too long

My love’s too strong

To let you go, never knowing

What went wrong

Kentucky rain keeps pouring down

And up ahead’s another town that I’ll go walking through

 

Koa 13U East

I can’t stand the rain

Against my window

Bringing back sweet memories

I can’t stand the rain

Against my window

‘Cause he ain’t here with me

Hey window pane

Tell me, do you remember

How sweet it used to be

 

Koa 13U West

Well this town has closed down way too early

And there’s nothin’ to do

So I’m drivin’ around in circles and I’m thinkin’ about you

Today I heard you got a new last name,

Sure didn’t know it was gonna hit me this way

And the radio just keeps playin’ all this songs about rain

 

Koa 14U vs. Mitchell Marlins 14U/Cadets 14U West

Game 1: 8-5 win

Game 2: 6-2 win

Finally, back to baseball (you have no idea how many songs there are that talk about rain and how many of them use rain as a metaphor for sadness). Anyway, the 14U Green Wave was able to play two on Sunday (plus an extra scrimmage against their rivals, the Mitchell Marlins, on Saturday) thanks to coach Rob Castillo’s hard work prepping the field at Richard Montgomery. After falling in the scrimmage to Mitchell (their valiant attempt to take the game late fell just short), the team reset to take two against the Cadets the next day. Game one on Sunday was scoreless through three innings, as Grady W. shut down the Cadets’ bats. There wasn’t a lot in terms of hits in this one, but Nico L. did lace a double and Kieran F. drove in two runs, as Koa put up seven runs in the fifth inning. They were able to hold on late to secure the win. In game two, the Green Wave got an early jump on the Cadets, putting up three in the first inning and slowly adding to their total throughout the game. Will P. and Jasper C. pounded the zone all afternoon while Zach M. picked up two hits to lead the team.

Next Week:

Koa 10U vs. Win Within Baseball 10U

Koa 11U vs. DC Dynasty 11U Navy

Koa 12U vs. Sterling Xplosion 12U Red

Koa 13U East vs. Alexandria Aces 13U

Koa 13U West vs. Fauquier Raiders 13U

Koa 14U vs. Hume Hornets 14U

 

Player of the Week

Elliott R. – Dingers (BABL A)

2 HR, 7 RBI in two games

 

Pitcher of the Week

Ben H. – Crushers

CG (3 IP), 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K

 

Standings

BABL A	W-L	BABL AA	W-L	BABL AAA	W-L
Bombers	7-2	Screwballs	7-1	Blasters	4-2-2
Mashers	7-2	Factory	6-1	Slammers	4-4
Crushers	6-2-1	Movers	7-2	Dingers	4-5
Slammers	5-4	Sliders	4-4	Launchers	3-4-1
Launchers	4-4-1	Splitters	4-4	Wreckers	2-6-1
Sluggers	3-6	Curveballs	2-5-1
Dingers	2-7	Fastballs	1-7-1
Homers	1-8	Changeups	0-7

Travel	W-L
10U	3-7
11U	4-6
12U	2-8
13U East	9-3
13U West	3-5-2
14U	7-4-1

Play It Forward Fundraiser Standings (Only Teams That Have Donated Will Be Listed – Top Team Wins a Pizza Party!)

Team	Division	Amount Raised
13U East	Travel	$275
Blasters	BABL AAA	$100
Fastballs	BABL AA	$50
12U	Travel	$50
Bombers	BABL A	$36
Wreckers	BABL AAA	$36
Dingers	BABL A	$20