Bandits Bang out another Win...Still seeking League Championship!
June 25, 2012
June 24, 2012
Stonehouse Park, Rancho Murieta
It was a perfect summer afternoon at Stonehouse Park for vintage base ball. The cranks were treated to two highly entertaining games, with a lot riding on the Gold Country standings. By the end of the afternoon, both teams atop the GCVBB leaderboard, Rancho Murieta Bandits and Amador County Crushers, came away with victories.
In their game, the Bandits found themselves in a close match-up with the re-tooling and upgraded Ione Preston Nine. The Nine took off to an early 1-0 lead after three consecutive, two out hits were capped off with a base knock from their captain, Matt Davie “Crockett.” Thereafter, the Bandit hurlers (Chris Ross “Apple Sauce” and Cable “Falco” Davis) kept The Nine from advancing much further.
Showing that the Bandits can strike at any time, each of the Bandits came away with base hits. But, it was Darrin “Cookie” Kitchen (2x3, HR) and Colby “Cheddar” Craig (3x4, HR) leading the day with their power displays. Brad “Bull” Brozaitis and Mark “Manley” Walthers also did their part, turning in multi-hit games of their own.
A few signature plays from the Bandits, including two double plays involving muffins Lonnie "Rocko" Trillo and Gary Oster "Tag", helped curb The Nines’ attempts to draw the game closer. A classic 4-6-3 double play (Tag, to Penny, to Sauce) made the highlight real for the season. Although the game was close through 5 ½ frames, the Bandit bats could not be quieted in the 6th, tallying 11 runs to cap off a 19-2 win.
The Bandits remain a half game up in the standings, after the Crushers (5-1) posted a close 8-6 victory over the 8-manned Sierra Highlanders (2-4). With the standings so close, it will take the final two weeks of the season to help settle the league Championship.
On July 1 (Amador HS), the Sierra Highlanders and Ione Preston Nine square off at 10AM to position for a seed in post-season play. In the 12:30PM game, the Amador County Crushers and Mother Lode Miners renew their traditional rivalry, in a game that will help determine each team’s fate. The Bandits are off until July 8 for the season finale.
