Scott Ellefritz had one thing on his mind as he arrived to Douglas Park on Sunday afternoon, win and in. However, Ellefritz was not so inclined to discuss his post season attitude. In a pregame press confrence, Ellefritz was asked what his rotation would be against the Playaz in the Saukie Divisional Playoff Series. Ellefritz replied, “Playoffs?! Don’t talk about playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?! I’m just hoping we can win a game, another game!”
Rookie John “Cino” Rasso muscles up for a homerun in game oneOn Saturday, the Talons had two chances to clinch a playoff berth for yet another year, however, the Talons lost a home game to the All-Stars, and then the Meteors stayed alive by beating those same All-Stars at home.
The Juice Boxes (2-8) visited the Talons (5-6) on Sunday’s game one contest, and the Talons prevailed 10-3 in seven innings, backed by solid defense and cruical hitting. Scott Ellefritz’s squad will be meeting the Playaz, who wrapped up home field advantage on Saturday in the Saukie Division.
The Talons chalked up 16 hits in the seven innings, doubling the Juice Box’s numbers. Josh Paul led the charge with a 3-3 day with two runs scored and two RBI. Rookie John “Cino” Rasso belted his first career VL homerun, a shot to the alley (literally) behind the left centerfield fence. He added a team high three RBI inthe contest.
Runs were scarce yet again for the Juice Boxes, who have already been shut out and one runned in their innaugural season. No hitter tallied more than two hits in the game. Interim manager Jeff Kilgard has been frustrated. He could be heard from the dug out several times mumbling, “Oh, jeez!!”
After the game, Coach Ellefritz’s players doused him with a large jug of water. He will start a best-of-five series against the Playaz, tenatively starting the weekend of July 31 – August 1.
Juice Boxes 14, Meteors 2 (7)Shortly after their losing performance against the Talons, the Juice Boxes let off some steam at the hands of the Meteors in game two on Sunday.
The Meteors (2-9) and Juice Boxes (3-8) came into the game with the worst records in baseball, both having already been eliminated from playoff contention. Matt Veto captained his Meteors and appeared to have a solid team, however, this time it was the Meteors that got doubled up in hits, as the Juice Boxes reached base 24 times to the Meteors’ 11.
The ‘Boxes were led by Dan Tomlin’s 3-for-4 day at the plate and three RBI. Anthony Reese also collected three hits, doubling twice. Every member of the Juice Boxes with the exception of one hitter collected at least two hits and drove in one.
The Juice Boxes have one game left this season, hosting the Goonies this weekend. The Meteors face the Playaz as the last game of the season in a flip game. With four regular season games left, play will continue this weekend at Douglas Park.