West Allis NATIONALS Baseball

Milwaukee County's finest squared off Saturday at Zirkel Field in McCarty Park. The resulting split was predictable, but the games were not. The Nationals exploded for 15 hits in game 1, running their winning streak to 7 in a 14-4 mercy rule thumping of the previously undefeated Cubs. Jake Paige and James Herkowski led the way with three hits and Chris Marks added a three-run homer as the local nine put together their finest performance of the year to date. Game two afforded no such result. The Cubs jumped on the squad for three in the first and ten in the second en route to a 16-0 drubbing. The early deficit proved too much for the team's otherwise potent offense and the squad suffered its first mercy rule loss in history. The Nationals stand alone in second place, but face a stiff challenge this weekend. The third place White Sox hope to climb the ladder when the two squads square off on Sunday night at Kuenn Field in Rainbow Park.

The Nationals put together their finest performance of the season Sunday night, sweeping a pesky Cats squad by scores of 5-0 and 13-1. While the offense was not nearly as plentiful as in recent weeks, the team's pitching and defense made up for it. Jim Dettman held McGuire's hitless for 5 innings in game one before settling for a 3 hit shutout. When runners did reach base in the 5th and 7th innings, the team quickly eliminated the threats with double plays. On offense, a patient plate approach made the difference. Alex Franson set the tone with 3 walks and a single while James Herkowski added two walks and a single. Overall the team drew 10 free passes, three of which scored. Jake Koutnik set a team season record with his 6th triple, but was stranded during a botched rally. Game two was decided early. After starting pitcher Nick Kibler was dinged for one run on three hits, the offense woke and performed as it had in the previous weeks' doubleheader sweeps. Highlights of the team's seven run first inning included a RBI double by James Herkowski and a two run triple by Jake Paige. The mercy rule was applied after 5 innings. For complete statistics, please click on the link, "Stats thru 7-14."

The Nationals will host Lifetime Financial on SUNDAY AUGUST 4, 2002 AT ZIRKEL FIELD. First game is scheduled for 6PM. Game two will start 15 minutes afterwards.

The Nationals offense picked up where it left off last week. Though the team did not match its record setting 31 run effort, it did reach double figures in each of its two victories Saturday night. In game one's 14-7 triumph, the fireworks began only after Lifetime Financial had jumped to a 6-1 lead. Leading the comeback effort was Jake Paige, who managed three safeties after the third inning. Jake Koutnik and James Herkowski added a pair of knocks as the team took advantage of Lifetime starter, Jim Downer's, wildness in and out of the strike zone. Game two was a bit easier as the team jumped to a 4-1 first inning lead en route to a 17-1 5 inning mercy rule thumping. Alex Franson led the way with 4 hits while Jake Koutnik had two triples. Trevor Koepp and red-hot Tim Spata added three hits each. Nick Kibler continued his dominance on the hill, limiting the opposition to 5 hits and one unearned run while striking out 7. The Nationals next face an improved McGuire's Cats squad on Sunday at Zirkel Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6PM.

Listen up, boys and girls. The time has again come for the West Allis Nationals to determine their FATMAN of the year. Past award winners, Nick Kibler and Chris Marks (aka Frosty the Snowman) had this to say: Kibler: "That's a bull#@&* award given by a bunch of sally salad eaters." Said Marks: "What! Leave me alone!" This year both appear to have strong competition from #41. Since joining the 5-0, #41 has had to purchase several bullet-proof vests before finally settling on one with spandex and elasticity. Needless to say, you won't find this guy at the salad bar. Have a look at our contestant in this 2001 photo. Rumor has it that he will have to add another digit to his uniform to account for the real estate he has since added. PLACE YOUR VOTE ONLINE. JUST GO TO OUR GUESTBOOK AND OFFER YOUR OPINION.