An unassuming lineup brought forth a barrage of hits to help lead Matt Veto's Meteors to their first Veto League Baseball World Series in three years.
A team selected more for its defensive merits than for its power turned into a well-oiled hit-producing machine. The Meteors pounded out 28 hits and plated eight runs in the first two innings at Douglas Field to jump out to an early lead that was never relinquished.
The defense was present as well holding the River Bandits scoreless in seven innings helping to secure a 17-4 road victory that came with a ticket to the 2006 VLB World Series.
"I looked at their lineup--Bob Zerull, Andy Moeller, Scott Ellefritz--those guys represent a huge portion of the league's offense this year," Veto said. "Add to it sneaking placement hitters like Jesus Apodaca, Dave Anderson and Jeff Kilgard--Ellefritz had to feel good about his odds. But I liked my defense and felt that if we got out to a big lead early, we could hold them.
"Everybody played their role. We kept things positive and had some fun out there."
Through steady raindrops, the Saukie Divisional Playoff contest continued and the hit merry-go-round refused to lose steam. Veto finally broke out of a season-long batting slump by going 8-for-9 with four RBI in the cleanup spot in the order. Jon Escajeda had five hits and scored five runs and Josh Francque (6-for-10, 4 RBI) chased down a couple of would-be RBI bloopers from his shortstop position.
Joe Escajeda (4-for-9) sparked a four-run fifth to add four runs of insurance allowing the Meteors to climb to a 12-0 lead after four and a half innings.
An RBI single by Ellefritz (4-for-7) in the bottom of the fifth broke up the shutout, but the Meteors added three more runs in the top of the seventh, was highlighted by a whistling RBI single from Howard Zimmerle (2-for-9, 2 runs) and a ringing double by Alex Tschopp (4-for-10, 3 RBI) that short-hopped the fence.
"Maybe I just need to swing for the fences," Tschopp, a 2006 Most Improved candidate said. "It doesn't seem to work when I just go for hits."
The rain began to pick up in the bottom of the eighth inning, awakening the River Bandits bats. Anderson (3-for-8, 2 runs) led off the inning with a triple down the right field line. He scored as Moeller (4-for-8) singled him home. Ellefritz and Kilgard (2-for-7, RBI) followed with hits to plate one more and another run score by way of an error.
The score was 15-4 as the game culminated in the top of the ninth.
"I still wasn't feeling comfortable, no matter the lead," Veto said. "They still had some big bats waiting for us in the bottom of the inning."
The Meteors added two more runs in the top of the ninth and kept the River Bandits hitters at bay.
"I'm very proud of the guys that helped get me to the series," Veto said. "They deserve all the credit."
The season will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Richmond Hill Sports Complex in Geneseo as the Meteors and Vandals clash for the first time in the VLB World Series.
A team selected more for its defensive merits than for its power turned into a well-oiled hit-producing machine. The Meteors pounded out 28 hits and plated eight runs in the first two innings at Douglas Field to jump out to an early lead that was never relinquished.
The defense was present as well holding the River Bandits scoreless in seven innings helping to secure a 17-4 road victory that came with a ticket to the 2006 VLB World Series.
"I looked at their lineup--Bob Zerull, Andy Moeller, Scott Ellefritz--those guys represent a huge portion of the league's offense this year," Veto said. "Add to it sneaking placement hitters like Jesus Apodaca, Dave Anderson and Jeff Kilgard--Ellefritz had to feel good about his odds. But I liked my defense and felt that if we got out to a big lead early, we could hold them.
"Everybody played their role. We kept things positive and had some fun out there."
Through steady raindrops, the Saukie Divisional Playoff contest continued and the hit merry-go-round refused to lose steam. Veto finally broke out of a season-long batting slump by going 8-for-9 with four RBI in the cleanup spot in the order. Jon Escajeda had five hits and scored five runs and Josh Francque (6-for-10, 4 RBI) chased down a couple of would-be RBI bloopers from his shortstop position.
Joe Escajeda (4-for-9) sparked a four-run fifth to add four runs of insurance allowing the Meteors to climb to a 12-0 lead after four and a half innings.
An RBI single by Ellefritz (4-for-7) in the bottom of the fifth broke up the shutout, but the Meteors added three more runs in the top of the seventh, was highlighted by a whistling RBI single from Howard Zimmerle (2-for-9, 2 runs) and a ringing double by Alex Tschopp (4-for-10, 3 RBI) that short-hopped the fence.
"Maybe I just need to swing for the fences," Tschopp, a 2006 Most Improved candidate said. "It doesn't seem to work when I just go for hits."
The rain began to pick up in the bottom of the eighth inning, awakening the River Bandits bats. Anderson (3-for-8, 2 runs) led off the inning with a triple down the right field line. He scored as Moeller (4-for-8) singled him home. Ellefritz and Kilgard (2-for-7, RBI) followed with hits to plate one more and another run score by way of an error.
The score was 15-4 as the game culminated in the top of the ninth.
"I still wasn't feeling comfortable, no matter the lead," Veto said. "They still had some big bats waiting for us in the bottom of the inning."
The Meteors added two more runs in the top of the ninth and kept the River Bandits hitters at bay.
"I'm very proud of the guys that helped get me to the series," Veto said. "They deserve all the credit."
The season will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Richmond Hill Sports Complex in Geneseo as the Meteors and Vandals clash for the first time in the VLB World Series.
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