Gold Country Buzzards

Gold Country Ol’ Buzzards Game Report #22

September 12, 2010

Buzzards steal one from Reds, 9-8

After the tough loss in the first game, the Buzzards were determined to beat the Reds in the second game and force a third and final game next week. The visiting Reds started the old veteran, righty Robert “Sidewinder” Stormont #30, known for his assortment of pitches including two kinds of knuckle balls and still has some good zip on his fastball. On the hill for the Gold Country Buzzards was the stiff and loaded up with ibuprofen, Bob “Woodie” Wooden #22. Fresh off his lower back injury in the middle of the previous game, Woodie was going to see how long before his back tightened up too much. Since he’s retired, what the heck. This was also going to be a battle of pony tails.

Both Robert’s gray one and Bobio’s red one were hard to miss sticking out the back of their caps. They claim chicks dig the pony tails. The second game of the NABA championship series double-header started at 1:45. The Reds opened the game with two quick runs. Dennis Viegas #4 tripled to right on the first pitch. One out later, Bo Correa #8 doubled down the right field line scoring the run. Bo later scored on a looper hit into short center field by Gonzales for a 2-0 lead.

Stormont’s pitching was giving the Buzzards’ fits. He effectively held a real good hittin’ Buzzard team to seven hits in the first seven innings and no runs. Meanwhile, the Reds scored three more runs in the top of the fourth. Three walks and a double in the inning made the score 5-0 Reds.

Dave “Evy” Everingham #6 replaced a sore-back Woodie on the mound in the sixth inning. The Reds scored a run in the seventh inning on a first-pitch inside fastball home run over the left field fence by big Mike Wright #41 for a 6-0 score after seven innings.

The Buzzards threatened in the first inning with full bases, but never had two runners on base after that until the eighth inning, as Stormont shut down the high-octane Buzzards. Real Buzzards were spotted soaring in the sky, most likely looking for dead Reds, but certainly offering encouragement. Whether it was the flying mascot and determined Buzzard hitters or tired Reds’ pitching, it doesn’t matter, ‘cause the Buzzard bats came alive with three runs and five hits in the bottom of that inning.

Taylor “Welzy” Welz started the eighth inning off with a one out single to left. Evy followed with a hit to right-center field sending Welzy to third. T-Welz scored on a single by Dave “Keppie” Kephart now putting runners at first and second. Dan “Wookie” Wukmir came in to replace Kep at first base. Batting next, Charles “CJ” Jackson placed a hit into short left field to load the bases. With two outs now, Mike “Bake” Baker blasted the first pitch deep to left field for a double scoring Evy and Wookie to make the score 6-3 Reds.

The Reds upped the ante when they scored two more runs in the top half of the ninth inning. With runners at second and third, Mike Wright struck again, this time with a two-run ground ball single up the middle to set the score at 8-3 Reds entering the bottom of the ninth inning.

With no more time to spare, the Buzzards faced a new pitcher in their last at-bat. On the hill for the Reds was big Andre “Lefty” Gonzalez #16. Pete “Baron” Von Zboray led off the inning with a base on balls. Jim “Wags” Wagner then pushed a bunt toward a deep playing third baseman. Wags beat the throw and advanced to second on the high throw to the fence. With runners at third and second, Barry “Hands” Forman hit the first offering into center field for a two-run single scoring Pete and Wags. Batting next, Welzy lined one to center field for a base hit that moved Barry to second base. Evy followed with a single to left field scoring Barry and advancing Welzy to second.

With the score now 8-6 and nobody out, Keppie batting next, got the bunt sign to move both runners into scoring position. Kep bunted the ball to the left side and made big Andre field the ball on the move. Andre threw the ball to third base hoping for the force out, but the runner was Welzy and he beat the throw. Now with the bases loaded and no outs, CJ came to the plate. With the outfield playing real deep, CJ hit a high looper to left that fell in front of a hard charging left fielder to score Welzy for a one run game with the bases still full.

The Reds then changed pitchers and brought in the first game’s hurler, Danny Harvey #25. Batting next, Mark “Ronnie” Wronski was hit on the wrist with a 1-2 high inside curve ball to tie the game at 8-8. Wow. The Reds called time out again and moved the fielders in. Baker then stepped into the batter’s box, wig wagging that bat waiting for the Harvey pitch. The first pitch fastball was laced over the left fielder’s head for the game winning hit to beat the Reds 9-8 in dramatic walk-off style. This time the Buzzards were jumping and smiling with the walk-off hit. What an unbelievable come-back. Six runs on six hits, a walk and a hit batter to win. Twelve hits and nine runs in the last two innings to win and split the double-header was amazing to see. This big win will require a game three to settle the Sacramento NABA 48+ Championship.

Buzzard pitching held the Reds to 10 hits.  Woodie threw 86 pitches (46 strikes & 40 balls) in facing 27 Reds in five innings of work. With his back clearly bothering him, Woodie was not as sharp as usual. He gave up six hits with five walks and one hit batter in striking out two. Evy pitched the last four innings and picked up the win. Dave faced 17 Reds while throwing 54 pitches (31 strikes & 23 balls). He gave up four hits and two walks with two strike outs. The Reds were held to eight runs in both games.

The offense decided to wait for the Air Show to finish before filling the sky with base hits. The Buzzards had a total of 19 hits. Seven scattered hits in seven innings gave way to an offensive assault that started in the eighth inning and lasted thru the ninth. The last 17 Buzzard batters got 12 hits with one walk for nine runs. Pretty impressive numbers. The multi-hit club in the second game included Barry, Keppie and Welzy with two hits each; Charles with three hits and Bake and Evy with four hit games. Single RBI’s were knocked in by Barry, CJ, Evy, Kep and Ronnie while Bake hit in four runs in his last two at-bats. Good job, Buzzards.

What an amazing double-header with back-to-back dramatic ninth innings. Both games were decided in the final at-bat with walk-off base hits to steal a victory from the other team. This is fun. Next week, game three at Playfields Park in Davis at 11 o’clock. Beware the Buzzard.