Indians sling 4 ROCKets against Giants
A bit of disarray an hour before game time; some tribe members showed up on time but at the wrong battle field. As it turns out, someone sent the wrong directions to the entire team. Fortunately, the real home of the Aldergrove Giants was just minutes away. Scotty got on the hook and quickly echoed the right information to the rest of the tribe. Are all parks in Aldergrove named “Aldergrove Park?”…
This game featured the return of long time Indian R. Edger, it also featured the return of S. Sibley’s big stick. He wasn’t the only one flexing his muscles on this night though as the Indians exploded with an awesome display of power.
C. Edger got things started in the top of the first with a bunt single and J. Karls followed up with a walk. Unable to capitalize on this opportunity, K. Neidert took the mound for the tribe and quickly struck out the first two Giants he faced.
A miscue by the Giants third baseman allowed G. Nolan to reach base leading off the top of the second. A. McBoyle drew a walk after a great at bat and both runners moved up a base when B. Tonogai laid down a gorgeous sacrifice bunt down the first base line. Sibley then lined a single to centre to score Nolan and McBoyle. With runners on first and second and two outs, C. Edger lined a single to right, Sibley got the wave around third but was greeted by a masked man holding the baseball at home plate to end the inning.
The bottom of the second inning would see some shaky defense by the Indians. As a result, the Giants knotted the game at 2. With one out recorded, a single and a wild pitch put a Giant at second base. The next Giants hitter made good contact to centre which seemed to fool our centre fielder and the ball sailed over his head for a run scoring double. Another wild pitch allowed the runner to move up to third base, but as he wondered off towards home plate, C. Edger gunned him down sending shockwaves through the Giants’ bench. Still, the Indians seemed determined to give away opportunities this inning. A mishandled grounder to second allowed the runner to reach first and after a failed pickoff attempt, he moved up to second base. A double to the left-centre gap pushed the second Giants run across the plate.
In the top of the third, Neidert singled to the right side on the infield. With two outs and a 3-0 count, Nolan turned on a waist high fastball and deposited it in the forest behind the right-centre field fence. Nolan leads the team with two home runs this year.
In the top of the fourth, Tonogai reached on a dropped fly ball by the Giants’ second baseman. Sibley then tomahawk-chopped a high fastball over the right-centre field fence. In a bizarre turn of events, the Giants appealed the play claiming that Sibley never touched home plate. The blue crew would have none of it and the 2-run homer stood. Up stepped E. Roblero and badda-bing, another high fastball was driven high and deep to straight away centre. The Indians’ first back-to-back jacks in recent history had the fans and team mates alike going crazy.
The hit parade continued for the Indians in the top of the fifth. Ratelle led off with a single to left centre and moved to second on a wild pitch. After Nolan got a free pass to first, Sibley smashed his second dinger of the night with a rocket to centre. The 3-run shot made the score 10-2 and gave Sibley a share of the team lead in the home run category.
In the bottom of the inning, the Giants showed signs of life. The first two hitters reached base on consecutive singles and wound up scoring both. Neidert finished off his day at the office with his third strike out of the night.
The Indians would end up adding one run in the sixth and one more in the eighth. Roblero relieved Neidert in the sixth and preserved the win for the Indians. The Giants pressured in the bottom of the seventh by loading the bases with one out, but Roblero induced a popup to first and finished the Giants off with a strike out.
The Giants scored their fifth run in the bottom of the eighth when #11 took Roblero deep to centre field. In total, there were five bombs hit in this contest. We all can’t wait to be back at this park soon.
Up next for the Tribe, a showdown against the Maple Ridge J's at Central Park in Burnaby. Double check those directions...
Here are your player of the game nominations in alphabetical order:
Clay Edger 2 for 3 (1B (2), 2BB, 2SB, 1RS)
Greg Nolan 2 for 3, 2RBI (2B, 1HR, 2RS)
Kris Neidert 1 for 5, 1RBI (1B, 1RS, ) * 5IP, 4R 3ER, 5H, 1BB, 3K
Scott Sibley 3 for 4, 7RBI (1B, 2HR, 2RS)
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Surrey Indians 10 @ North Delta Dodgers 7
Indians dodge North Delta comeback
The homeless Indians continued their season on the road. Partly cloudy skies covered the vast grass at Mackie park… perfect baseball conditions if it weren’t only for the artic breeze felt all the way down our spines.
We quickly found out we had a problem. Key members of the team were not going to be present, especially, members that make up the pitching staff. C. Ratelle was there, but unavailable to pitch. A decision was made to start E. Roblero and K. Neidert would follow.
Both teams were sat down quietly in the first two innings, but all hell broke lose for the Dodgers in the top of the third. C. Edger started the attack with a single and J. Karls followed with one of his own. C. Ratelle then clubbed his second double of the game with a gapper to left centre scoring Edger and moving Karls to third. K. Neidert then hit a come backer to the pitcher who lobbed the ball to the first baseman. Alertly, speedy Karls took off for home and avoided the tag with a sensational overstretched slide. A. McBoyle, S. Sibley and G. Nolan followed with 3 consecutive singles making the score 4-0. With two outs and runners on first and third, E. Roblero sent a line drive into the left centre gap scoring Sibley and Nolan to cap the max number of runs allowed per inning.
As if all the running from hitting a two bagger appeared to take the life out of Roblero, he promptly allowed the first five Dodgers hitters to reach base. It all started with an infield dribbler down the third base line followed by a deep fly ball to centre. J. Ubeda appeared to have a bead on it; however, the ball went off the tip of his glove for a double. A walk was followed by another double and a single making the score 6-4 at the end of the third frame. The Dodgers tied the score at 6 in the bottom of the fifth inning and had a chance to do more damage, but Neidert came in to put out the fire. With runners on second and third, and one out, Neidert produced an infield fly out and a strike out to end the inning.
The Indians put their sticks to work in the top of the sixth. Nolan led off the inning with a moon shot down the left field fence. Up stepped Grace and everyone jumped to their feet when we saw the ball sailing towards the fence in left centre. We had come to within a few inches from hitting back-to-back jacks but we were content with the double. Roblero followed with a single to left scoring Grace. Egder reached on an error by the second baseman and went to third on Karls single. Ratelle then collected his third hit of the game and second RBI with a single. When the sixth frame was in the books, the Indians had a 10-6 lead.
Neidert would take care of the rest as the Dodgers were baffled by Neidert’s curveball and could only get one base hit against him in three and two thirds. Only a couple of miscues by the Indians defense allowed one more Dodger run to cross the plate.
The Indians were able to cut down on their strike outs and look forward to putting bat on ball in the coming games.
Up next for the nomads, a date with the Aldergrove Giants at South Aldergrove Park.
Here are your player of the game nominations in alphabetical order:
Chris Ratelle 3 for 4, 2RBI, (1B, 2B (2), 1RS)
Enrique Roblero 2 for 4, 3RBI, (1B, 2B) * 4 1/3 IP, 6R 5ER, 6H, 6BB
Greg Nolan 2 for 4, 2RBI (1B, 1HR)
Josh Karls 2 for 5 (2 RS)
Kris Neidert 1 for 4, 2RBI * 3 2/3 IP, 1R 0ER, 1H, 2BB
The homeless Indians continued their season on the road. Partly cloudy skies covered the vast grass at Mackie park… perfect baseball conditions if it weren’t only for the artic breeze felt all the way down our spines.
We quickly found out we had a problem. Key members of the team were not going to be present, especially, members that make up the pitching staff. C. Ratelle was there, but unavailable to pitch. A decision was made to start E. Roblero and K. Neidert would follow.
Both teams were sat down quietly in the first two innings, but all hell broke lose for the Dodgers in the top of the third. C. Edger started the attack with a single and J. Karls followed with one of his own. C. Ratelle then clubbed his second double of the game with a gapper to left centre scoring Edger and moving Karls to third. K. Neidert then hit a come backer to the pitcher who lobbed the ball to the first baseman. Alertly, speedy Karls took off for home and avoided the tag with a sensational overstretched slide. A. McBoyle, S. Sibley and G. Nolan followed with 3 consecutive singles making the score 4-0. With two outs and runners on first and third, E. Roblero sent a line drive into the left centre gap scoring Sibley and Nolan to cap the max number of runs allowed per inning.
As if all the running from hitting a two bagger appeared to take the life out of Roblero, he promptly allowed the first five Dodgers hitters to reach base. It all started with an infield dribbler down the third base line followed by a deep fly ball to centre. J. Ubeda appeared to have a bead on it; however, the ball went off the tip of his glove for a double. A walk was followed by another double and a single making the score 6-4 at the end of the third frame. The Dodgers tied the score at 6 in the bottom of the fifth inning and had a chance to do more damage, but Neidert came in to put out the fire. With runners on second and third, and one out, Neidert produced an infield fly out and a strike out to end the inning.
The Indians put their sticks to work in the top of the sixth. Nolan led off the inning with a moon shot down the left field fence. Up stepped Grace and everyone jumped to their feet when we saw the ball sailing towards the fence in left centre. We had come to within a few inches from hitting back-to-back jacks but we were content with the double. Roblero followed with a single to left scoring Grace. Egder reached on an error by the second baseman and went to third on Karls single. Ratelle then collected his third hit of the game and second RBI with a single. When the sixth frame was in the books, the Indians had a 10-6 lead.
Neidert would take care of the rest as the Dodgers were baffled by Neidert’s curveball and could only get one base hit against him in three and two thirds. Only a couple of miscues by the Indians defense allowed one more Dodger run to cross the plate.
The Indians were able to cut down on their strike outs and look forward to putting bat on ball in the coming games.
Up next for the nomads, a date with the Aldergrove Giants at South Aldergrove Park.
Here are your player of the game nominations in alphabetical order:
Chris Ratelle 3 for 4, 2RBI, (1B, 2B (2), 1RS)
Enrique Roblero 2 for 4, 3RBI, (1B, 2B) * 4 1/3 IP, 6R 5ER, 6H, 6BB
Greg Nolan 2 for 4, 2RBI (1B, 1HR)
Josh Karls 2 for 5 (2 RS)
Kris Neidert 1 for 4, 2RBI * 3 2/3 IP, 1R 0ER, 1H, 2BB
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Surrey Indians 10 @ Chilliwack Cubs 14
As the Indians made their way into the valley of death, we saw steady rain, slick roads and a number of motor vehicle accidents that could only make you think “what next”. There was a 60% chance of precipitation for the Fraser Valley but the closer we got to our destination the brighter the skies seemed to appear. To our surprise, a special guest was visiting in the Indians clubhouse... stellar starting pitcher Lee Sandau was down from the great white North. Fairfield Island Sports complex was the setting for the Indian’s 2008 season opener. First pitch came at 11:05 am and the first 3 Indians were promptly retired in order as the Cub’s hurler struck out the side. C. Ratelle answered right back by retiring the Cubs in order utilizing only 8 pitches.
The Indians opened up the scoring in the top of the 2nd frame when hitting sensation K. Neidert hit a single to centre field. C. Ratelle followed with a line drive single to right moving Neidert to 3rd. Ratelle was gunned down at 2nd trying to stretch the single into a double. Up stepped S. Sibley who hit a grounder to 3rd; as Neidert darted towards home, the 3rd baseman thought he had a shot at him and quickly drove the ball in front of the dirt at home plate and into the backstop.
The Cubs would open their bottom half of the inning by placing their first 3 hitters on base via a line drive single to centre followed by a double into the left centre gap and an infield squibbler down the 3rd base line. The Cubs' first run was scored by #6’s sac fly to right.. scoring # 77 from 3rd base. #7 would then hit what seemed like a perfect double-play ball to 3rd but the feed to 2nd sailed into shallow right field allowing # 55 to score from 2nd base and leaving runners at 1st and 2nd. Ratelle would take care of the Cubbies by inducing # 18 to hit into the inning ending 4-3 double play.
The Cubbies added to their lead in the bottom of the 3rd when #13, leading off the inning, reached base on an infield single to third and moved to 2nd on the errant throw from E. Roblero. With two out and runners on 1st and 2nd, # 77 laced a double to the right centre gap scoring # 13 and #9. Veteran K. Grace gunned down # 77 trying to stretch his double into a triple. The base umpire initially called the runner safe at 3rd base, but having over slid the bag, Roblero kept applying the tag and asked the home plate umpire to overrule the call. After a brief meeting on the third base side of the mound, the runner at 3rd base was called out.
The Indians went to work in the top of the 4th. A. McBoyle reached on a base-on-balls and Neidert followed with a base hit. Ratelle then hit a screaming line drive over the centre fielder’s head scoring McBoyle from 2nd and Neidert all the way from first. Indians fans and teammates held their breath as Neidert dove head first into the catcher’s shin guards and emerged with a run scored, a bloody nose and a crown of flying stars. Way to go buddy… Sibley then hit a high fly ball to centre that moved Ratelle down to 3rd, the errant throw from the Cub’s right fielder allowed Ratelle to score from 3rd and tie the game at 4.
The celebration didn’t last long as the Cubs quickly loaded the bases on solid base hits and shaky Indians defense. When the 4th inning was all said and done, 4 Cubbies had crossed the plate and O. Matsubara replaced Ratelle on the mound (3.1/3 IP, 6 RA, 4ER, 1BB, 6H).
The Indians got one back in the top of the 5th but had a chance to get more. G. Nolan was hit by a pitch and C. Edger and J. Ubeda reached base on consecutive free passes. McBoyle bounced a grounder to 3rd to score G. Nolan from 3rd. Neidert followed with a sac fly to right moving Edger over to 3rd. The sacs were once again full after Ratelle accepted an invitation to first base. The rally would come to an end when Sibley was caught looking at a called 3rd strike.
With the score 8-6 in favor of the Cubs, the Indians were still within striking distance of their prey. The bottom of the 6th inning however, would prove to be the turning point of the game. Indians pitchers would only record one out before the maximum 6 runs-allowed crossed the plate. Matsubara (1.2/3 IP, 5RA, 3ER, 3BB, 3H, 2K) gave way to T. Jones (1/3 IP, 3RA, 2ER, 3BB, 2HBP). Three base on balls and 2 hit batters were issued consecutively.
In the top of the 7th, the Indians for the second time in the game were retired in order via strike outs. In total, the Indians K’d an amazing 15 times in this contest. All we can say is WA—HOO…
After complaining of neck and shoulder pain for the most part of the pre-season, Roblero took the mound for the Indians in the bottom of the 7th and retired the Cubbies in order. J. Karls and B. Tonogai reached on free passes in the top of the 8th and quickly moved to 2nd and 3rd on a beautifully coordinated double-steal. J.Heatly grounded to 2nd pushing the Indians 7th run across the plate. T. Jones reached on yet another free pass and moved to 2nd on a balk. Tonogai walked across with the Indians’ 8th run. Up stepped stellar catcher C. Edger and crushed the first pitch he saw into the hen house over the right field wall. That’s as close as the Indians would get in this contest as Grace grounded to 3rd to end the ball game.
The Indians definitely need to cut down on their strike outs and tighten up the defense to be able to compete against the better clubs in the LMBA.
Next up for the Indians is a date with the expansion Delta Dodgers at McKee field in North Delta. Don’t forget to vote for the player of the game by clicking on your choice in the Poll on the right hand side bar.
The choices are:
Chris Ratelle 2 for 3, 2RBI, (1B, 2B)
Clay Edger 1 for 3, 2 RBI, (1HR)
Kris Neidert 2 for 3, (1B (2))
The Indians opened up the scoring in the top of the 2nd frame when hitting sensation K. Neidert hit a single to centre field. C. Ratelle followed with a line drive single to right moving Neidert to 3rd. Ratelle was gunned down at 2nd trying to stretch the single into a double. Up stepped S. Sibley who hit a grounder to 3rd; as Neidert darted towards home, the 3rd baseman thought he had a shot at him and quickly drove the ball in front of the dirt at home plate and into the backstop.
The Cubs would open their bottom half of the inning by placing their first 3 hitters on base via a line drive single to centre followed by a double into the left centre gap and an infield squibbler down the 3rd base line. The Cubs' first run was scored by #6’s sac fly to right.. scoring # 77 from 3rd base. #7 would then hit what seemed like a perfect double-play ball to 3rd but the feed to 2nd sailed into shallow right field allowing # 55 to score from 2nd base and leaving runners at 1st and 2nd. Ratelle would take care of the Cubbies by inducing # 18 to hit into the inning ending 4-3 double play.
The Cubbies added to their lead in the bottom of the 3rd when #13, leading off the inning, reached base on an infield single to third and moved to 2nd on the errant throw from E. Roblero. With two out and runners on 1st and 2nd, # 77 laced a double to the right centre gap scoring # 13 and #9. Veteran K. Grace gunned down # 77 trying to stretch his double into a triple. The base umpire initially called the runner safe at 3rd base, but having over slid the bag, Roblero kept applying the tag and asked the home plate umpire to overrule the call. After a brief meeting on the third base side of the mound, the runner at 3rd base was called out.
The Indians went to work in the top of the 4th. A. McBoyle reached on a base-on-balls and Neidert followed with a base hit. Ratelle then hit a screaming line drive over the centre fielder’s head scoring McBoyle from 2nd and Neidert all the way from first. Indians fans and teammates held their breath as Neidert dove head first into the catcher’s shin guards and emerged with a run scored, a bloody nose and a crown of flying stars. Way to go buddy… Sibley then hit a high fly ball to centre that moved Ratelle down to 3rd, the errant throw from the Cub’s right fielder allowed Ratelle to score from 3rd and tie the game at 4.
The celebration didn’t last long as the Cubs quickly loaded the bases on solid base hits and shaky Indians defense. When the 4th inning was all said and done, 4 Cubbies had crossed the plate and O. Matsubara replaced Ratelle on the mound (3.1/3 IP, 6 RA, 4ER, 1BB, 6H).
The Indians got one back in the top of the 5th but had a chance to get more. G. Nolan was hit by a pitch and C. Edger and J. Ubeda reached base on consecutive free passes. McBoyle bounced a grounder to 3rd to score G. Nolan from 3rd. Neidert followed with a sac fly to right moving Edger over to 3rd. The sacs were once again full after Ratelle accepted an invitation to first base. The rally would come to an end when Sibley was caught looking at a called 3rd strike.
With the score 8-6 in favor of the Cubs, the Indians were still within striking distance of their prey. The bottom of the 6th inning however, would prove to be the turning point of the game. Indians pitchers would only record one out before the maximum 6 runs-allowed crossed the plate. Matsubara (1.2/3 IP, 5RA, 3ER, 3BB, 3H, 2K) gave way to T. Jones (1/3 IP, 3RA, 2ER, 3BB, 2HBP). Three base on balls and 2 hit batters were issued consecutively.
In the top of the 7th, the Indians for the second time in the game were retired in order via strike outs. In total, the Indians K’d an amazing 15 times in this contest. All we can say is WA—HOO…
After complaining of neck and shoulder pain for the most part of the pre-season, Roblero took the mound for the Indians in the bottom of the 7th and retired the Cubbies in order. J. Karls and B. Tonogai reached on free passes in the top of the 8th and quickly moved to 2nd and 3rd on a beautifully coordinated double-steal. J.Heatly grounded to 2nd pushing the Indians 7th run across the plate. T. Jones reached on yet another free pass and moved to 2nd on a balk. Tonogai walked across with the Indians’ 8th run. Up stepped stellar catcher C. Edger and crushed the first pitch he saw into the hen house over the right field wall. That’s as close as the Indians would get in this contest as Grace grounded to 3rd to end the ball game.
The Indians definitely need to cut down on their strike outs and tighten up the defense to be able to compete against the better clubs in the LMBA.
Next up for the Indians is a date with the expansion Delta Dodgers at McKee field in North Delta. Don’t forget to vote for the player of the game by clicking on your choice in the Poll on the right hand side bar.
The choices are:
Chris Ratelle 2 for 3, 2RBI, (1B, 2B)
Clay Edger 1 for 3, 2 RBI, (1HR)
Kris Neidert 2 for 3, (1B (2))
Sunday, April 6, 2008
The Warm Up
One week to go before our grand season opener and here we were without seeing any real game action on the field. We've had a few very good outdoor practices but when it comes down to it... it just ain't the same as facing live arms.
Thanks to our coach Scotty for hooking up today's exhibition game against the Delta Dodgers. Needless to say, our bats need a little work (this excludes you Mr. Bronx bomber) but we'll be ready come next week. Pitching is looking good as always and the defense is not far behind. Bottom line, a good first game to let go of some jitters-- highlighted by a two run shot by Kris Neidert to DEEP left centre estimated at 380+... See you all next week at Fairfield island home of the Chilliwack Storm. First pitch at 11:00am.
Thanks to our coach Scotty for hooking up today's exhibition game against the Delta Dodgers. Needless to say, our bats need a little work (this excludes you Mr. Bronx bomber) but we'll be ready come next week. Pitching is looking good as always and the defense is not far behind. Bottom line, a good first game to let go of some jitters-- highlighted by a two run shot by Kris Neidert to DEEP left centre estimated at 380+... See you all next week at Fairfield island home of the Chilliwack Storm. First pitch at 11:00am.
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