May 15, 2008

ML Game 40

Hagan’s Funeral Homes    12

Gardner-Fox    2

Hagan’s Rolls

Hagan’s had it all going on tonight:  pitching, hitting, and fielding.  The result was a dominating 12-2 victory over Gardner Fox.  Hagan’s has now won 3 consecutive games for the first time this year and they’ve come out on top in 5 of their last 6.

Hagan’s struck early and often in this one.  In the top of the first inning, Coach Cav sent 9 batters to the plate.  They produced 5 runs on 3 hits, highlighted by Bryan Leonard’s (2 for 2, BB, 3 RBI) smash up the middle and Justin Troilo’s RBI single down the first base line.  They added another in the second on a Brian Gross (3 for 3, BB) single and a Neal Geosits (2 for 3, 2B, 3 RBI) double to the fence. 

Meanwhile, with Russell Rhoads on the mound and a tight defense behind him, Gardner Fox was never able to get on track.  Rhoads (4 IP, 3 H, 6 K, 3 BB) was in command throughout the game.  Brian Mizell (2 for 2) got a one-out single in the first inning, but remained stranded at first.  In the third, Philip Kotcamp drew a one-out walk that was followed by Mizell’s second infield single of the game.  They were unable to advance any farther, however, thanks in part to a nifty running catch of a Sean Heidig fly ball to center by Will van Norden followed by a strong throw to third base.

Already sitting on a 6-0 lead, Hagan exploded for 6 more in the top of the fourth.  Gross (twice), Geosits, Connor Martin (2B), van Norden, Leonard, and Rhoads all hit safely in the inning.  Gardner Fox got on the board in the bottom of the inning on a lead-off walk to Ryan Heidig and a single by Tobias Gabel.  Rhoads shut the door after that, striking out the last three batters.

Pitch counts:

Hagan:

    Rhoads 69

Gardner Fox:

    Kotcamp 39

    Nunag 40

    McAlee 11