Kiel Engstrom had hopes that his Vandals could go through the 2008 season unblemished. Those hopes were dashed Saturday afternoon in Rock Island, courtesy of the hot bat and flashy glove of Steve Roberts.
The Vandals entered Saturday’s contest with a perfect 3-0 record. VLB veteran Jeff Kilgard subbed for the absent Vandal captain. They were opposed by Scott Ellefritz’s appropriately named “Swingers” (2-2).
With just 11 players and the sun pounding down overhead, things were looking rough. They were looking exceptionally glum for the Vandals after the Swingers knocked the ball around for 12 runs in the bottom half of the 2nd inning. The Swingers plated one more in the 3rd, and stood with a 14-0 lead through 3, with the Vandals mustering just two hits, both from Josh Francque.
The Vandals began their comeback, scoring nine unanswered runs through the next three. The Vandals were aided by rookie Brandon Jones, who smashed 5 of his last 6 at bats for hits, also knocking in five in the contest.
The two plays of the day both came at the hands (and glove) of Roberts. First, he scooted from shortstop to make an over-the-head basket catch in short left a la Willie Mays. Then at the plate in the bottom of the 6th with his team’s lead cut to just five and runners on 2nd and 3rd, he sailed a pitch into a gap in left center. Roberts never stopped running. As the throw came in to the third baseman, Roberts blew through the stop sign and was able to scamper home for the first 2008 VLB inside-the-park home-run. Roberts finished the contest five-for-seven at the plate, driving in eight runs. Tony Zier also boasted six hits in seven at bats, touching home four times for the Swingers.
After it was decided to call the game after seven, the Vandals’ bats came alive. They plated four runs in the top of the seventh with no outs, cutting the Swinger’s lead to four. Ellefritz was sweating so profusely he had to remove his shirt and hat. With a female in attendance, he kept the rest of his clothes on. The Vandal’s comeback came up short as they were unable to continue their rally, with the last three hitters recording outs and stranding the bases loaded, giving the Swingers their second win of 2008 by a final 17-13.
Hurler Kilgard extended his ’08 K lead to seven, after striking out 4 of his teammates. The Vandals go to the Goonies June 15 as the Swingers collide with the Meteors June 21.
Rain Drowns Game After Six
60% chance of rain? More like 100%.
Engstrom returned to captain his Vandals (4-1) to a decisive 17-8 win over the home Goonies (1-3). The game was called after six innings due to heavy rain.
Engstrom’s team was slow out of the gate, but plated 16 runs in the final four innings to overcome and early 5-0 deficit. Engstrom led his own team, batting seven-for-eight at the plate, raising his VLB-best average to .702. Vandals also got five hit each from Josh Francque, Joe Zerull, and Howard Zimmerle. Francque added two doubles, powering both into right-center. Entering the fifth, Engstrom stated he just wanted to get through five, to make the game official. Sprinkles began late in the fourth, but the heavy ran down-poured after the Goonies batted in the bottom of the sixth.
The Goonies were able to get ahead early in the contest, thanks in part to Joe Campagna, who didn’t record an out at the plate in the six inning contest. VLB debuts Jason Nunn, Travis Swanson, and Kelly Sullivan combined for eight-for-twelve at the plate, batting in the bottom of the order.
Baseball will continue this Wednesday as the Meteors (1-2) clash with the Goonies for the battle of the basement.
The Vandals entered Saturday’s contest with a perfect 3-0 record. VLB veteran Jeff Kilgard subbed for the absent Vandal captain. They were opposed by Scott Ellefritz’s appropriately named “Swingers” (2-2).
With just 11 players and the sun pounding down overhead, things were looking rough. They were looking exceptionally glum for the Vandals after the Swingers knocked the ball around for 12 runs in the bottom half of the 2nd inning. The Swingers plated one more in the 3rd, and stood with a 14-0 lead through 3, with the Vandals mustering just two hits, both from Josh Francque.
The Vandals began their comeback, scoring nine unanswered runs through the next three. The Vandals were aided by rookie Brandon Jones, who smashed 5 of his last 6 at bats for hits, also knocking in five in the contest.
The two plays of the day both came at the hands (and glove) of Roberts. First, he scooted from shortstop to make an over-the-head basket catch in short left a la Willie Mays. Then at the plate in the bottom of the 6th with his team’s lead cut to just five and runners on 2nd and 3rd, he sailed a pitch into a gap in left center. Roberts never stopped running. As the throw came in to the third baseman, Roberts blew through the stop sign and was able to scamper home for the first 2008 VLB inside-the-park home-run. Roberts finished the contest five-for-seven at the plate, driving in eight runs. Tony Zier also boasted six hits in seven at bats, touching home four times for the Swingers.
After it was decided to call the game after seven, the Vandals’ bats came alive. They plated four runs in the top of the seventh with no outs, cutting the Swinger’s lead to four. Ellefritz was sweating so profusely he had to remove his shirt and hat. With a female in attendance, he kept the rest of his clothes on. The Vandal’s comeback came up short as they were unable to continue their rally, with the last three hitters recording outs and stranding the bases loaded, giving the Swingers their second win of 2008 by a final 17-13.
Hurler Kilgard extended his ’08 K lead to seven, after striking out 4 of his teammates. The Vandals go to the Goonies June 15 as the Swingers collide with the Meteors June 21.
Rain Drowns Game After Six
60% chance of rain? More like 100%.
Engstrom returned to captain his Vandals (4-1) to a decisive 17-8 win over the home Goonies (1-3). The game was called after six innings due to heavy rain.
Engstrom’s team was slow out of the gate, but plated 16 runs in the final four innings to overcome and early 5-0 deficit. Engstrom led his own team, batting seven-for-eight at the plate, raising his VLB-best average to .702. Vandals also got five hit each from Josh Francque, Joe Zerull, and Howard Zimmerle. Francque added two doubles, powering both into right-center. Entering the fifth, Engstrom stated he just wanted to get through five, to make the game official. Sprinkles began late in the fourth, but the heavy ran down-poured after the Goonies batted in the bottom of the sixth.
The Goonies were able to get ahead early in the contest, thanks in part to Joe Campagna, who didn’t record an out at the plate in the six inning contest. VLB debuts Jason Nunn, Travis Swanson, and Kelly Sullivan combined for eight-for-twelve at the plate, batting in the bottom of the order.
Baseball will continue this Wednesday as the Meteors (1-2) clash with the Goonies for the battle of the basement.
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