Meridians Baseball

We haven't seen them since May, but for some reason we struggle a bit against this squad (their "pitching" induces 9 Meridians pop-outs).   A 1-1 tie gets broken up by big base knocks from Blain Williams and Moore in the 4th.  Just like our first meeting - we let them score a few in the last inning, but after Moore's 2-run launch in the top of the 7th - there wasn't much to worry about.   Final:  7-3.

Fugate goes all 7 for the Win.   Conor Thomas sees his first plate appearance since the summer before college and tries to stretch it into a double (but we told him to go though...) and then gets plunked next time up.   Multi-hit days for Ryan, Chuck and Ralph - 2 runs each from Blain and Chuck.   Ryan and Blain both barrel roll into 2nd base before RJ figures out to slide around the crater there.   Lewis tries to get picked off/doubled up about 4 times, but smiles his way out of it each time.

Moore keeps bringing the 1st base mitt (just in case) and does a great job with a leaping snag on a liner and a good dig from across the diamond.   Derek tries to put a hole through RJ at 3rd guiding missiles down there including after the 3rd out of an inning.   Great job on getting things started with coach delayed (thanks Kraus)!

Every Meridian hits again as we finish it up in 5 innings (Final:  11-0).   Fugate dominates again allowing only 1 (infield) hit while striking out 8 in 4 innings.   Conor makes his return and works the 5th coaxing a double play.

Reese leads the way with 3 knocks (2 with a strained hamstring), scoring 3 times and on-base all 4 times.   Moore, Ryan Williams (both on-base 3 times) and Fugate with multi-hit days as well.   Ryan stretches just enough for his triple while both Fugate and Kraus (2 BBs) score twice each.   Fugate steals two bags and Kraus even steals one!   Ryan, Parkhurst and Lewis each with 2 RBI on the day.   Reese, Ryan, Moore and Parkhurst all take balls to the outfield wall.

Even for the NKABL, this was one of the widest strike zones ever known to mankind, and yet somehow we still earn 7 walks.   Parkhurst gets hit by a pitch with blood to prove it and almost gets rung up anyway.   Field umpire laughs right along with us watching the strike zone get abused with bouncing strikes and lost balls.

Ryan Williams leads off the game with home run to straight away center as we get 2 in the first and 2 in the 2nd before running away with it adding 6 in the 6th (1 in the 4th as well).   Tyler Fugate comes back very strong after 2 weeks off and goes the distance.  Our scorebook error lets us play all 7 innings as Tyler only gives up 1 run (Final 11-1).   Great bounce back after Saturday's first loss for us.   Chris Wood joins the bash party with a solo shot in the 4th and after a laser double in the 5th, Chuck Moore comes into dugout and calls his shot that he delivers in the 6th up in the trees in right center.

Wood with 3 hits and 3 runs including a HR, Ryan Williams with 2 hits including a HR and 2 runs.   Reese, Ehrhardt (2 runs) and Moore with multi-hit days.   Great diving attempt and crazy throw from R. Williams at short and a great diving attempt in right center from Wood.  Double play up the middle slowed down by Fugate with Ehrhardt and then Ryan on the turn.   Great stretches at 1st by Reese on the first play of the game from Soto's backhanded play down the 3rd base line and an Ehrhardt backhand up the middle.

We take our first lump of the season with early errors, not our usual offensive output and a good-hitting opponent.   Down 10-0 in the 3rd, we mount a comeback and split the difference in the top of the 4th with knocks from Lewis and subbing Edwin Magras (2 hits), an RBI double for Derek Williams, a 2-run single from Soto, an RBI double from Kraus and RBI double from Reese (2 hits).   That's all we get though until a solo shot from Soto in the 9th while they cross a few more times for a final of 6-13.   Soto with 2 hits including the HR, 3 RBI and 2 runs.   Moore on base 4 times again in front of the entire clan (1B, Error, BB, HBP).   Lewis on base 3 times with a scorching opposite field double and 2 BBs.   Redemption can come right away with a game the next day.

The rains don't pound the field enough to keep us from playing and all the guys make their way to the park through the local downpours including the Williams brothers battery all the way from Wilmington.   Blain tosses a beauty as he only allows 4 hits and we give him plenty of support.  The biggest backing didn't come from the usual suspects of Moore, McClung and B. Williams as the 3 bombs come from Ryan Williams, Soto and Younger.   Each of them go yard for the first time this season with Ryan saying it was his 1st home run ever.  (He then tries to steal the team doughnut after the game.)

All 10 Meridians hit with R. Williams, Moore and Soto each collecting 3 hits a piece.   McClung, D. Williams and Lewis have multi-hit days with R. Williams, McClung, Moore, D. Williams, Parkhurst, Soto and Younger each scoring twice.

Great play up the middle by McClung on the only ball hit to him all day.  We see more shorts working their way into our opposition's uniform assortments with the ultimate in right field for them in both shorts and a muscle shirt.   This kid Blain buckles twice during the same pitch.   Moore wasn't satisfied with being on base 4 times so in his spare time he takes out the back window of the resident umpire's car with a foul ball.  Moore then gets tossed in the top of the 6th inning for his actions (we only played 5...).   Final:  17-2