In an ambitious attempt to beat the likelihood of rain in the future, Veto League Baseball took the opportunity to play on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. One team made history in the form of a victory, while another set a new standard for individual achievement.
Baseball Furies 11, River Bandits 5
In a 12-man game at Veterans Park, the Baseball Furies (4-3) and River Bandits (3-3) squared off in an inter-division contest Thursday.
The late arrival of Jon Kelley concerned Bob Zerull and the Furies as the early departure of Scott Ellefritz was eminent. That placed Kelley automatically on the side of the Bandits.
While Kelley was productive (5-for-6) the decisive blows came in back-to-back at bats. Zerull and Jimmy Quick, two of only three VLBers to go deep at Veterans Park, muscled up for back to back jacks in the bottom of the sixth inning breaking a 4-4 tie.
Zerull's homer plated three runs and swung the momentum significantly in the favor of the Furies.
The Bandits came back for a run in the seventh. Josh Smith (5-for-7, two runs) scored on a single by newcomer Alex Leutzinger. However, the Furies scored three times in the bottom of the seventh to take an 11-5 lead. They held on for the win.
SNK Crushers 11, River Bandits 10
He admitted it was perhaps the best game of his career.
Fitting for the first year captain who's SNK Crushers (1-4) had been winless in four tries. Jeff Kilgard went 5-for-6 in the second spot of the order. He doubled twice, even managed a triple, and drove in five runs en route to a thrilling 11-10 victory over the River Bandits.
Scott Ellefritz and his River Bandits (3-2) fall to a single game back of the Meteors in the Saukie Division. The Bandits trailed 10-4 after seven full innings before Matt Veto started to get his team to vocally rise to the occasion.
The game was far from over.
The Bandits even went so far as to place first- and third-base coaches on the diamond to guide the runners. They drew a run closer, 10-5, in the top of the eighth and set down the Crushers in order.
"I looked deep down and tried to find my true spirit," Ellefritz said. "Then I remembered...What would Mike Piazza do?"
WWMP seemed to work for the troubled crew as Veto led off the top of the ninth with a double down the line. Craig Fyfe answered with a single and Smith continued the rally to score Veto.
With one out, Jimmy Quick and Kevin Grady (6-for-6) followed with hits. Josh Francque sacrificed in Quick and Jon Kelley brought in the tying run.
The Crushers were not without their share of chances to end the inning. A couple of catchable outfield pop-ups and a near catch by Brett Carlson on a foul pop landed to the turf auspiciously.
However, it wasn't to be for the Bandits.
"I thought to myself, 'What the heck was Ellefritz talking about?' Mike Piazza?" Kilgard said. "Typical Dodgers fan to bring up the past."
Josh Paul led off, reaching on an error. Adam Chard singled to right and Brett Carlson reached on an error. The decisive blow came from the left-handed bat of Amos Whiting who shouted his trademark phrase, "Yabba-dabba boo-yeah" as he singled to the gap in right-center to drive in the game-winner.
The River Bandits are back in action Thursday when they face the mighty VLB Bomber Bob Zerull at 4:30 p.m. at Veterans Park.
Baseball Furies 11, River Bandits 5
In a 12-man game at Veterans Park, the Baseball Furies (4-3) and River Bandits (3-3) squared off in an inter-division contest Thursday.
The late arrival of Jon Kelley concerned Bob Zerull and the Furies as the early departure of Scott Ellefritz was eminent. That placed Kelley automatically on the side of the Bandits.
While Kelley was productive (5-for-6) the decisive blows came in back-to-back at bats. Zerull and Jimmy Quick, two of only three VLBers to go deep at Veterans Park, muscled up for back to back jacks in the bottom of the sixth inning breaking a 4-4 tie.
Zerull's homer plated three runs and swung the momentum significantly in the favor of the Furies.
The Bandits came back for a run in the seventh. Josh Smith (5-for-7, two runs) scored on a single by newcomer Alex Leutzinger. However, the Furies scored three times in the bottom of the seventh to take an 11-5 lead. They held on for the win.
SNK Crushers 11, River Bandits 10
He admitted it was perhaps the best game of his career.
Fitting for the first year captain who's SNK Crushers (1-4) had been winless in four tries. Jeff Kilgard went 5-for-6 in the second spot of the order. He doubled twice, even managed a triple, and drove in five runs en route to a thrilling 11-10 victory over the River Bandits.
Scott Ellefritz and his River Bandits (3-2) fall to a single game back of the Meteors in the Saukie Division. The Bandits trailed 10-4 after seven full innings before Matt Veto started to get his team to vocally rise to the occasion.
The game was far from over.
The Bandits even went so far as to place first- and third-base coaches on the diamond to guide the runners. They drew a run closer, 10-5, in the top of the eighth and set down the Crushers in order.
"I looked deep down and tried to find my true spirit," Ellefritz said. "Then I remembered...What would Mike Piazza do?"
WWMP seemed to work for the troubled crew as Veto led off the top of the ninth with a double down the line. Craig Fyfe answered with a single and Smith continued the rally to score Veto.
With one out, Jimmy Quick and Kevin Grady (6-for-6) followed with hits. Josh Francque sacrificed in Quick and Jon Kelley brought in the tying run.
The Crushers were not without their share of chances to end the inning. A couple of catchable outfield pop-ups and a near catch by Brett Carlson on a foul pop landed to the turf auspiciously.
However, it wasn't to be for the Bandits.
"I thought to myself, 'What the heck was Ellefritz talking about?' Mike Piazza?" Kilgard said. "Typical Dodgers fan to bring up the past."
Josh Paul led off, reaching on an error. Adam Chard singled to right and Brett Carlson reached on an error. The decisive blow came from the left-handed bat of Amos Whiting who shouted his trademark phrase, "Yabba-dabba boo-yeah" as he singled to the gap in right-center to drive in the game-winner.
The River Bandits are back in action Thursday when they face the mighty VLB Bomber Bob Zerull at 4:30 p.m. at Veterans Park.