The Shaskys and Blue Jays squared off this weekend and saw every kind of baseball in every kind of weather.
On a damp Saturday morning the Shaskys won 10 - 7 in a game that featured big hits on both sides and tough pitching from Dennis Lane and Rich Garborino. Tony Melendez turned in several key defensive plays at 2B for the Shaskys to squelch Blue Jay rallies. The Shaskys got offensive support from the bottom of their order (Ball, Fleck and Camoin) as we scored a total of eight runs in the 3rd and 4th innings. The Blue Jays also produced throughout their liine up and closed the gap to 8 6. The Shaskys were able to score two big runs in the top of the 7th to take a 10 - 6 lead. After the Blue Jays scored one in the bottom of the 7th, Tim P. Burns threw out a base runner at 2B for an important out. Still the Blue Jays had runners on 1st and 2B and the potential tying run at the plate with two outs before Dennis Lane induce a game-ending ground out.
A chilly but sunny Sunday morning set the stage for a pitchers' duel pitting the Blue Jays John Weber against the Shaskys Jimmy Tesereiro. Both teams' defenses came up with big plays to keep the game scoreless in the early innings. Jays third baseman, Paul Post, threw out a Shasky runner at the plate and the Shaskys Tim Burns returned the favor an inning later. The Blue Jays looked poised for a crooked number when they loaded the bases with nobody out in the 6th inning. But a short fly ball to Harvey Staulter in left and a perfect relay to Burns at SS then to (the other) Tim Burns nailed the runner trying to score. Bob Noto then ripped a double inside 3B to drive in the game's first run. The Shasys tied the game in the bottom of the 6th on a single by Burns, a stolen base, a ground out and an RBI single by Tesereiro. With apologies to those responsible for the rally I can only report that the Blue Jays used a combination of solid hits and some small-ball to plate two in the top of the eighth. Truthfully, a two-run lead seemed insurmountable at that time. But a single by Staulter and consecutive doubles by Tim (the SS) Burns and Dennis Lane tied the game. With Jimmy T. still throwing strong, the Shaskys held the Blue Jays scoreless in the 9th and 10th innings. Tony Melendez led off the bottom of the 10th with a solid single, then stole 2B. Harvey Staulter bunted Melendez to 3B. The Blue Jays intentionally walked the next two batters to create force plays around the diamond. Tim (the catcher) Burns muscled a jam shot that just eluded an all out effort by the Blue Jays shortstop to drive in the winning run.
So two well-played games where every play, every pitch, every hit and every run mattered. Who knows what would have happened had there been a game three. But it would have been fun. Tip of the cap to the Blue Jays who were certainly very competitive and equally classy in their congratulations to the Shaskys as we advance to the final four.
-- Edited by Don Ball on Sunday 14th of September 2014 06:36:36 PM
To the Shaskys and Tony I want to congradulate you on a great team effort and a deserving advancement to the next round. You played scrappy and clutch baseball both offensively and defensively. You had a no quit attitude which I always admired that in teams who came to play. In victory, you also maintained a humble demeaner which showed how much class you guys have. Best of Luck to all of you in the upcoming games.
