The Cubs offense exploded for 13 runs on 15 hits, and Phil Gadomski shut out the Highlanders on 3 hits and no walks, while striking out 5 to put the Cubs into the semi finals against the Hummnbirds.
The majority of the damage was done by the top of the Cubs order, as the 1 thru 5 hitters went a combined 11 for 16, including 3 home runs, 1 triple, and 3 doubles. These 5 hitters scored 9 runs and drove in all 13 runs. Andy Hoyle led the hit parade with two home runs and five RBI's. Steve Lounello went 3 for 3 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI's. Shawn Maney went 2 for 3 with a triple and 3 RBI's. Mike Girard went 3 for 3 with a double and 2 singles. Ron Lochner had a solo home run and drove in two runs.
The game was decided in the 2nd inning, when the Cubs loaded the bases with two outs. The Highlanders looked like they would escape the inning with no damage, when they turned a 1-2-3 double play. With two outs and men on second and third, Hurricane Cubs blew into town! Shawn Maney clutched up & and hit a triple over the head of the Highlanders right fielder, pushing the score to 5-0. Steve Lounello doubled off the right field wall (about 2 inches from a home run), scoring Maney. Mike Girard ripped a double down the left field line that scored Lounello. Cos Dibari then brought in Ed Rogers to stem the tide, but Andy Hoyle followed with one of the longest home runs I have ever seen. It landed well past the dumpster in the parking lot, some 60-75 feet beyond the left field fence. Ron Lochner followed with a solo home run of his own to run the streak of consecutive extra base hits to 5! The score was now 10 - 0 and the game was decided.
Mike Aiello, Lenny Rebhun, and Brett Sentiwany had the singles for the Highlanders. The Cubs prevailed in the end, but put up one hell of a battle over the 3 game series. Our hats are off to a team that wasn't expected to make much noise in the playoffs, but eliminated the Padres in round one and took the defending champs to the wall in the quarter final round. Good job guys! You can go into the off season with your heads held high!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Sunday 28th of August 2011 12:06:08 PM
