The weekend series between Engstrom and Heckenkamp, both battling for first place, was not without offensive production.
Four times in two games the bases were unloaded with one swing of the bat, each time having a significant effect on the outcome of the game.
On Saturday, Ashley Engstrom struck a record three grand slams over the left field wall producing 12 RBI in a 21-17 victory for Heckenkamp over Engstrom.
On Sunday, the hidden power of VLB rookie Dave Anderson was uncovered as he knocked a walk-off grand slam just over the fence down Saukie’s left-field line. It would produce a 23-22 Engstrom victory. Anderson put his hands in the air as he rounded the bases in front of a shocked, record setting VLB turnout.
“I felt it and I knew it right when I hit it,” Anderson said of his first and biggest home-run of the season.
Saturday’s feat by Ashley Engstrom lifted Heckenkamp to a much needed win. But more power also came from the man said to be a better hitter than Cubs lackluster star Lenny Harris, while still having a Lenny Harris stature. Jacob VandeMoortel picked up where he left off last weekend by scorching his first career VLB home-run.
With the score sitting at 16-13 in the top of the ninth inning, Heckenkamp knew he needed a few more insurance tallies to knock off the resurgent Kiel Engstrom. In hopes to spark a rally, Heckenkamp promised Lance McCafferty an added incentive.
“Lance, I’ll buy you a double cheeseburger if you hit a home-run,” Heckenkamp said.
“Nah, I don’t like double cheeseburgers. I like quarter pounders,” McCafferty defiantly replied as he singled. The ninth inning was still productive for Heckenkamp as 6 runs came around en route to victory.
Sunday’s rematch featured the largest Veto League Baseball crowd to date as 24 members, old and very new, came to Saukie Field.
Before game time a new face showed up to Saukie and had a conversation with Commissioner Matt Veto. Bill Mildren, organizer of an adult 18-and-over team asked what league Veto was a part of.
“I made it up,” Veto said to a confused Mildren. I’m serious, we just made up this league five years ago and it’s grown to this. We’re pretty organized for a pickup game.”
Seeming to like the idea, Mildren and three of his baseball pals joined the VLB game for the first ‘interleague’ game of sorts.
With a 12 on 12 game, both dugouts were used as well as catchers who would stand behind the plate to take throws. The point-of-no-return and the scoring plate were not used.
With rain clouds and lightning threatening overhead, the VLB agreed that if anyone were struck by lightning, they would be put in the highlights for the season.
By the eighth inning, Engstrom led 17-14. However, in the ninth, Mildren and Mark Brandenburg started a one-out rally that would lead to an 8-run inning and a 5-run Heckenkamp lead.
The resurgence of Engstrom would be felt in this game, however, as the bottom of the order proved to be heroes. Brett Carlson, Jeff Kilgard, Scott Ellefritz, Ryan Williams, and a hot hitting Matt Carter would bat around and eventually load the bases for the last hitter in the order.
“If any ball goes over the fence the game’s over,” Heckenkamp said in the outfield.
As if on command Anderson answered the call with his game winning grand slam.
Engstrom doused Anderson with the water cooler in celebration.
“It was a tough game for Heckenkamp to fall in, but it was still the greatest Veto League game I think I’ve played in,” Veto said after the game. “This is what the VLB is all about.”
With the weekend split, Heckenkamp, and Veto sit in a first place tie in the Veto League standings.
Four times in two games the bases were unloaded with one swing of the bat, each time having a significant effect on the outcome of the game.
On Saturday, Ashley Engstrom struck a record three grand slams over the left field wall producing 12 RBI in a 21-17 victory for Heckenkamp over Engstrom.
On Sunday, the hidden power of VLB rookie Dave Anderson was uncovered as he knocked a walk-off grand slam just over the fence down Saukie’s left-field line. It would produce a 23-22 Engstrom victory. Anderson put his hands in the air as he rounded the bases in front of a shocked, record setting VLB turnout.
“I felt it and I knew it right when I hit it,” Anderson said of his first and biggest home-run of the season.
Saturday’s feat by Ashley Engstrom lifted Heckenkamp to a much needed win. But more power also came from the man said to be a better hitter than Cubs lackluster star Lenny Harris, while still having a Lenny Harris stature. Jacob VandeMoortel picked up where he left off last weekend by scorching his first career VLB home-run.
With the score sitting at 16-13 in the top of the ninth inning, Heckenkamp knew he needed a few more insurance tallies to knock off the resurgent Kiel Engstrom. In hopes to spark a rally, Heckenkamp promised Lance McCafferty an added incentive.
“Lance, I’ll buy you a double cheeseburger if you hit a home-run,” Heckenkamp said.
“Nah, I don’t like double cheeseburgers. I like quarter pounders,” McCafferty defiantly replied as he singled. The ninth inning was still productive for Heckenkamp as 6 runs came around en route to victory.
Sunday’s rematch featured the largest Veto League Baseball crowd to date as 24 members, old and very new, came to Saukie Field.
Before game time a new face showed up to Saukie and had a conversation with Commissioner Matt Veto. Bill Mildren, organizer of an adult 18-and-over team asked what league Veto was a part of.
“I made it up,” Veto said to a confused Mildren. I’m serious, we just made up this league five years ago and it’s grown to this. We’re pretty organized for a pickup game.”
Seeming to like the idea, Mildren and three of his baseball pals joined the VLB game for the first ‘interleague’ game of sorts.
With a 12 on 12 game, both dugouts were used as well as catchers who would stand behind the plate to take throws. The point-of-no-return and the scoring plate were not used.
With rain clouds and lightning threatening overhead, the VLB agreed that if anyone were struck by lightning, they would be put in the highlights for the season.
By the eighth inning, Engstrom led 17-14. However, in the ninth, Mildren and Mark Brandenburg started a one-out rally that would lead to an 8-run inning and a 5-run Heckenkamp lead.
The resurgence of Engstrom would be felt in this game, however, as the bottom of the order proved to be heroes. Brett Carlson, Jeff Kilgard, Scott Ellefritz, Ryan Williams, and a hot hitting Matt Carter would bat around and eventually load the bases for the last hitter in the order.
“If any ball goes over the fence the game’s over,” Heckenkamp said in the outfield.
As if on command Anderson answered the call with his game winning grand slam.
Engstrom doused Anderson with the water cooler in celebration.
“It was a tough game for Heckenkamp to fall in, but it was still the greatest Veto League game I think I’ve played in,” Veto said after the game. “This is what the VLB is all about.”
With the weekend split, Heckenkamp, and Veto sit in a first place tie in the Veto League standings.
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