Game One: Crush fall to Green Machine in Fall opener

WEEK 1:

VS.

The 2009 Orange Crush Baseball Team opened the fall campaign with a 7-3 loss to Jesse Smith’s Green Machine team in an early-morning affair last weekend at John Herb Field.

In fact, the “early-morning affair” was the only negative of the whole day, as the Crush bats didn’t quite awaken until the fifth-inning.

Minus staff-ace Dan Morgan and starting catcher Harry Yeakel, the Crush fell behind by four runs going into the fifth before back-to-back two-out walks to Schuyler Sheaffer and Mark Guthrie led to the team’s first run.

Sheaffer stole third base before trotting home on an RBI-single off the bat of Crush fill-in Eric Singer to get the team on the scoreboard.

The Crush struck again in the seventh, as a single and a stolen-base from Singer set the table for a strong-bouncing double down the left-field line from Tim Rastetter.

Crush Head Coach Brian Strom followed with a RBI single up the middle to plate Rastetter before unfortunate timing on a hit-and-run play set the Green Machine up for a tailor-made double-play ball off the bat of Dave Alviso to end the threat and the scoring for the Orange on the day.

Despite the loss, however, several positives from the 2009 Crush squad evolved that morning…..

GAME NOTES:

- Crush 3B Tim Rastetter earned “Offensive Player of the Game” honors, going 2-for-5 with a RBI and a stolen base in the game.

- Leadoff man TJ Morgan had a solid showing at the shortstop position earning him “Defensive Player of the Game” honors. Morgan also added two walks and three stolen bases from his trips to the plate.

- LF/P Timothy Maul capped off his 1-for-4 afternoon at the plate by fanning two and earning some confidence in his three-innings of relief.

- Sheaffer anchored the center-field position effectively and added two walks on the day.

- Guthrie started the game and struck out three through five-innings in a strong showing. He also added two walks in his trips to the plate.

- RF Brendan Hanley looked solid in right field, making every play that came his way. Hanley also added a walk to the scorebook.

- The Crush drew eight walks as a team in the affair.

- Special thanks to Alviso and Singer for filling in for the Crush last weekend. Both are great ballplayers and outstanding teammates.

NEXT WEEK: Crush vs. Royal Has-Beens

The Crush look to get on track next Saturday, Sept. 19 in a 8:30am match-up against the Royal Has-Beens at John Herb Field in the North Hills. (same field….directions on previous post) Be there by 8 for warm-ups.

Dan Morgan will get the nod on the mound with Guthrie, Strom, Sheaffer, Maul and Rastetter ready to step in when needed.

Yeakel will make his 2009 fall-debut in a Crush uniform at the catcher position.

Please let me know if you can’t make it this week. Everyone who shows will play.

Lets get a win!

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