June 10, 2008
ML Playoff Game 8
Hagan’s Funeral Homes: 9
Moppert Brothers: 2
Hagan’s Opening Salvo Sinks Moppert
On a sultry summer evening at the MLL complex, the Hagan’s offense roared out of the gate, scoring five runs before a single out was recorded. Brian Gross (4 for 4, 2B), Michael Solomon (2 for 4), Bryan Leonard (2 for 4, HR), Ethan Heller (3 for 3, 2B, BB), and Will van Norden (1 for 2) all singled in the inning. They were followed by a pair of doubles by Jack Norton (1 for 2, 2B) and Gross in his second at-bat of the inning. Early in the rally, Connor Martin also reached base on one of his 3 walks on the night. By the time the dust had settled in the top of the first, Hagan’s had scored 7 runs on 7 hits.
Moppert fought back in the bottom of the frame. For the third consecutive game, the opposing team’s first batter went yard against Hagan’s. This time, it was Donovan Davis’ (1 for 2, HR, BB) turn. Pete Mamola (1 for 2, BB) then drew a walk, moved to third on Timmy Quinn’s (2 for 3, 2B) double and scored on a ground ball out by Kevin Bosco. That’s when Hagan starter Russell Rhoads (4.67 IP, 8 K, 2 BB) settled in to retire 15 of the next 19 batters he faced and hold the potent Moppert offense scoreless the rest of the way. Heller finished the game for Hagan’s, facing just 2 batters.
Hagan’s offense was held in check through the second and third innings. They tacked on single runs in the 4th and 5th. The 4th inning score came courtesy of Leonard’s first major league home run. Hagan’s was in the midst of another rally in the top of the sixth on a double by Heller, a single by Neal Geosits (1 for 2), and the first home run of Rhoads’ major league career. It was all for naught, however, as high winds and an impending thunderstorm resulted in the game being called with one out in the top of the 6th.
Pitch counts:
Hagan—Rhoads 88
Heller 6
Moppert—Mamola 90
Quinn 36