Day two – Double Elimination- Renegades take out the Lookouts
Gina, Mac, Sanchez and Kimball were players of this game
On the first day of double elimination, the Renegades got to sleep in a little as the contest would not start till 11:00. This game was the featured NBBA game of the day and it was very hot and humid. So humid that sweat was rolling off the pitchers hands as they threw the balls. Oklahoma was a surprise in this game as they upset the Chicago Comets 18-11 in pool play. They also beat the Sirens 14-4 and lost to the Indy Thunder 20-7.
The game would have many short noise delays as they had to contend with a helicopter dumping pesticides on crop. Also, the Renegades were on the Glen Head West fields for the first time, as this World Series was being played at two locations. The field was in rough shape. The right handed batter’s box was mud that would later get sand poured in it to make it even more slick as the game started. The field was also slanted and base runners were running up hill to first and downhill to third. The right handed batter’s box was significantly lower than the left handed box. It was a mess. Before the game, the Renegade coaches were walking the base lines and replacing giant divots left from previous games. It felt like Oklahoma had an advantage because half their starting lineup was left handed and did not have to contend with the muddy batter’s box. Oh well, this is where the electricity was for the live stream to plug in their equipment. Game on!
First inning
Oklahoma won the coin toss, chose to be the home team which sent Christian Thaxton to deal with the mess at home plate first. Thaxton fouled off the third pitch but the end result would be his first strike out of the week. Tyler Mireault was batting in the two hole due an injury to Joe McCormick. Joe was relegated to the DF spot in this contest. Tyler launched a line drive into deep left field. On the third bounce it hit Josh Perry in the chest and Perry gathered it for a great play. Shawn Devenish launched a line drive into left field and Perry over ran it as it rolled near the 170 line. Shayne Cantan struck out to end the first inning. Boston tallied just one run to kick things off, but the batter’s box was a challenge for each hitter in the Renegade lineup.
As the Renegades took the field, Guy Zuccarello subbed into the game to play the right short position. The leadoff hitter for Oklahoma, Mark Ivy hitting from the left side would face hall of fame pitcher, Tim Hibner. Ivy had the same result as Thaxton to leadoff for his team getting one foul ball striking out. Aaron Higby was next, from the right side and struggled with the batter’s box as well and struck out. Chad Dillon left his Gateway Archers to join the Lookouts during the off season. This Left handed bat lined a drive into center field that on the second bounce bounced off a diving Shawn Devenish’s nose, and changed direction as Joe McCormick was backing him up and had to stop and change direction. That face bounce allowed enough time for Dillon to tie the game. Josh Perry joined the Lookouts when the Houston Hurricanes folded in the off season. Perry hit a short fly ball to the left side landing at about 80 feet. Dias charged it and Josh Perry tripped and fell to the ground. As Perry rolled over and got up, Dias booted the ball with his shin into foul territory toward the base runner. Perry got up to run and “STOP” was yelled to avoid a sure collision between Dias and Perry. Since the ball was in foul territory, the run was awarded to Perry. Gabe Weathers, a Teenager batting from the right side ended the inning on strikes. Oklahoma led 2-1 after one full frame.
Second inning
Rob Dias would lead things off and hit a dribbler to the left side as Mark Ivy charged it, dropped to his knees before the ball, crawled, flopped on it and rolled over with possession for the out. Drew Crook entered the game as a pinch hitter for Zuccarello. Crook waived four times for a strike out. Thaxton then fouled off the first pitch and on the third pitch hit a hard grounder to the left side that got past Mark Ivy to the third layer. Perry moved to his left. laid out feet first and it went of his hands. As he made an attempt to get the ball, he bumped it away from him and Thaxton was safe, tying the game. Mireault then hit the first pitch from Cochran up the middle where Aaron Higby was awaiting it lying on his stomach with his head toward home plate and gathered it quickly near the 140 mark to end the inning. The game was knotted at two each.
As the Renegades took the field, Elana Regan subbed into the game to play the right short position for pinch hitter, Crook. Melissa Weathers also checked into this game replacing the starting catcher, Michael Cooper. Another left handed bat, Kyle Ivy stepped into the box and on the first pitch hit a short pop just clearing the 40 foot arc near the first base line. Regan got on her horse, slid short of the ball by about two feet, then popped up and got the ball caught under her and Ivy was too quick. His brother Mark Ivy took the next pitch on the ground right to Shawn Devenish. The call may have been off as Devenish slid two steps to his left. He dropped to his knees to try and locate it and it rolled past him. Ivy dove into the base just as Shawn got his hands on the ball and before he lifted it off the ground for the 4th Oklahoma run. Higby struck out for the second time and the first out. Chad Dillon then hit a grounder down the first base line. McCormick raced to the line at about 105, slightly over ran it but dove feet first and stopped it in his palm for an out in the second layer of the defense. Josh Perry then hit a line drive down the third base line. Shayne Cantan dove to the line head first and the ball hit him in the ankles and he stopped and picked it quick to end the frame. Oklahoma led 4-2.
Third inning
As the Renegades came off the field, Rob Dias was tightening up. He called for Doc Mike Marciello to stretch him. His day would be over, sending Weissman’s mind into over drive thinking of a strategy to continue this game without Dias and McCormick already playing DF. Shawn Devenish entered the box after an 8 minute delay tied to the helicopter flying around the field. Shawn fouled off the first pitch and Oklahoma wanted a new ball and there was another minute delay to find one. Devenish then hit a grounder to the right side right at Casey Bahn who made the play quickly but Devenish called late base and the base operator, Wayne Sibson agreed. Devenish then hit the next pitch to the left side. Ivy moved to his right, slid feet first and stopped it with his long legs. Cantan was next and hit a high pop up to short and to the center of the field. Mark Ivy chased in but had to change directions when he over ran it. He dove to the ground, landed on the ball and rolled to his side and lifted it away from his body as Cantan began his slide into the base for the out. Chris Kimball then came off the bench to hit for Rob Dias with Hunter Weissman coming to the mound. Hunter delivered the first pitch and Kimball hit a soft line drive to the right side. Casey Bahn shuffled a few steps to the line and threw his legs out and missed it as Kimball raced down the first base line and hit the base before Casey could get his hands on the ball. David Sanchez then came off the bench for his first World Series appearance to hit for Elana Regan. Ron Cochran came back to the mound to face him. The first pitch was shot into left field down the third base line. As Sanchez hit the base, the ball rolled near the 170 foot line and Perry over ran it and knew it was gone as he did not pursue it. That tied the game. It also set a new Renegade record as David was the 20th Renegade to appear in an NBBA game in a single season (the previous high was 17). Christian Thaxton went down on strikes for the second time in the game to end the inning. For the Renegades, the energy had been lifted and the game was tied at 4.
Boston had to make defensive changes. Chris Kimball stayed in the game and move to first base, moving Joe McCormick to the right short slot. Guy Zuccarello re-entered the game at the left short position replacing the injured Rob Dias. Oklahoma swapped back their catchers to start the inning. Gabe Weathers would lead off the third and struck out. Kyle Ivy also struck out. Mark Ivy then grounded to the right side, McCormick hit the ground and made the stop with his feet for a 1-2-3 inning. After three innings, the score was 4-4.
Fourth inning
Due to the heat, there was a mandatory five minute break before this inning could start. Tyler Mireault hit a fly ball deep to centerfield. Kyle Ivy slid feet first and over slid it at about 168 feet. Higby tried to corral the ball at about 174 but Tyler scored with his speed in the best hit of the game to break the tie. Devenish, with three strikes then hit a grounder to the left side. Mark Ivy took one step to his right then went down on his knees and then his stomach, he crawled to it and as he approached it, knocked it a few feet away from himself, right as Shawn Devenish dove short of first base. Ivy then lurched forward, landed on it, rolled over and nailed Devenish just before Shawn rolled over and touched the base. An adventure on both sides of the ball. Cantan struck out for the second time. Chris Kimball returned to the plate and with three strikes against Hunter hit a grounder to Mark Ivy who dropped early and lined it up with his legs for the out. Boston had its first lead at 5-4.
Aaron Higby, still struggling with the sand in the batter’s box then hit a fly ball to the right side. Kimball over ran it, heard it land, switched direction, hit the ground and picked it before Higby hit third base. Dillon then hit the first pitch down the first base line. McCormick raced to the line as third base was going off. He angled back as the ball stayed fair and rolled past first base as he dove feet first. Kimball crept up, had the ball pass him, reversed direction and picked the ball off the ground before Dillon hit third base. Josh Perry then hit a grounder up the middle. Devenish held his ground, the ball hit him in the ankles and rolled up into his hands for a 1-2-3 inning for the Renegades defense Boston maintained their 5-4 lead.
Fifth inning
Guy Zuccarello would stay in the game and hit to lead off the fifth. He hit a weak grounder to the left side falling short of Mark Ivy. Ivy hit the ground early, crawled, flopped, turned over and nailed Zuccarello for the first out. Thaxton then hit a first pitch worm burner to the left side. Ivy came up short with his feet first dive and the ball died before it got to Perry in left field and Boston had some insurance. Mireault fouled off four pitches in a row and then struck out on the 5th pitch. Devenish also had a five pitch at bat with the same end result. Boston increased the game to a 6-4 lead.
Cleo Stephens would pinch hit to lead off the 5th inning. There was some controversy about this sub because it was announced an inning before he actually entered the game and they started the sub clock an inning early. With three strikes, Stephens hit a grounder right at a diving Joe McCormick who made the play up front for the first out. Kyle Ivy then hit a nice line drive up the middle. Devenish took two steps back, lined it up and stopped it with his hand which was in front of his body for a quick stop. Mark Ivy was next and after struggling with his grip, took his batting gloves off and hit the next pitch on the ground to the right side. McCormick slid feet first and stopped the ball in his gut for a 1-2-3 inning for the Renegades as the Renegade defense had stopped the last 7 balls put into play. Boston lead 6-4.
Sixth inning
Shayne Cantan, who had struggled with his timing all day would lead off. He fouled off the first pitch right back to his catcher. Cochran missed him with the second pitch. Cantan was early and fouled off the third pitch. The fourth pitch was fouled backwards with improved timing. Shayne was early and fouled off the fifth offering toward the Renegade bench. The sixth pitch was fouled off on the ground to the left side. After a take, Shayne hit the 8th pitch on a fly into left field. Josh Perry came in and booted it, allowing Cantan to score at first base. That run was huge for how long the at bat was and the fact it would mean the Renegades would get Thaxton another at bat in this game. Kimball hit the first pitch up the middle and was stopped by a diving Mark Ivy. Guy Zuccarello then hit a grounder right at Mark Ivy again. Thaxton then hit a grounder down the third base line, Perry over ran it, missed it and the ball rolled to the 170 line for a huge insurance run. Oklahoma called time out and changed their defensive alignment, moving Perry from deep left to short right. Casey Bahn moved to the second layer. Tyler Mireault then hit the first pitch he saw in the air that Chad Dillon kept in front of him, but he whiffed twice trying to pick it up and Tyler scored. Devenish ended the inning with his second strike out of the game. Boston got the insurance they needed and led 9-4.
Aaron Higby led off the sixth with a first pitch smash down the third base line. Cantan slid toward the line, dove head first and stopped the ball clean with an excellent play for the first out. Chad Dillon then lofted a high deep fly to right field. Kimball jumped to his right, heard the ball land to his left, changed direction, dove to the ground, dropped to his knees and scooped for it and whiffed. On his second scoop, he found it right before a limping Dillon hit first base for the second out. Josh Perry struck out to end the game and the Renegades stayed alive in double elimination.
Summary
The player of this game would be Chris Kimball, coming off the bench for the injured Rob Dias and scored a huge run when the team was down and made three stops in the middle layer of the defense. Christian Thaxton paced the offense with three runs and Joe McCormick had 4 stops as the defensive fielder in two different positions. Also, a huge shout out to Gina Devenish calling a great game for the Renegades on the right side of the defense. After this game, Rob Weissman named this “the Chris Kimball game” in the team huddle as it was the best game of his career in a meaningful moment. Oklahoma was clearly upset at this loss, but the way the bracket played out they would go deeper than the Renegades whose journey was tougher.
Day two – Double Elimination-Renegades take on Philly under the lights
Due to the heat, this game was rescheduled to a 6:00 start. This meant the Renegades had to leave this complex at around 1:30, get back to the hotel around 2:00, then leave the hotel at about 4:15 to come back to the field. It was still hot, but the heat would soon burn off. The Renegades came into this game banged up. Rob Dias was ruled out for this game due to the injury he suffered earlier in the day. Joe McCormick was also not available to hit in this game due to injury as well. Philly was the top seed of the World Series. They had an easy run till this point with big wins over Austin 18-5, Cleveland 15-1 and Atlanta 13-2. All of these games were put into the 12 run rule.
First inning
Boston would be forced to start a different lineup in this game. Drew Crook was the leadoff hitter, looking to find his groove with his new swing. Drew had one foul tip and then three swings and misses and struck out to start the game. David Sanchez was next after his big hit earlier in the day. He changed his swing from earlier in the day and had the same result as Crook. Elana Regan was next and other than a take, she had the same result. A sluggish start to this game as Ron Cochran threw 13 pitches and had just 3 foul tips.
Bryan Grillo and Nick Morin-Tylock took the field as the spotters in this game. Justin Rhines with three strikes hit a laser to the third base side, Drew Crook hit the ground and stopped it immediately with his body for the first out. Mike Coughlin was next and on the first pitch hit a line drive right back up the middle and hit his pitcher, Pat Krause square in the face mask, knocking the mask off his face. Krause was shaken up on the play and had cuts on his lip and chin, but the mask took the worst of it. He would stay in the game and Coughlin struck out. John Margist was the next hitter and would also strike out. Tough start for both teams with 5 combined strike outs but tougher as Krause was surely reeling from that blast to his mask.
Second inning
Luis Rodriguez, batting fourth hit a grounder to the left side and the call on defense may have been bad as Casey Krause broke in the wrong direction, then had to reverse direction, he hit the ground to early and had to swim to the ball, but Rodriguez was too quick and he struck first blood. Michael Donovan entered the game as a pinch hitter for Joe McCormick and on the first pitch hit a grounder right at Mike Coughlin for the first out of the inning. Shawn Devenish had been moved to the 6 hole in the lineup for this game would have a long at bat as he fouled off the 2nd, 3rd and 4th pitches before crushing one into left field. Justin Rhines, one of the league’s best deep men, made the stop quickly for the second out. Crook hit the first pitch up the middle, past Krause to John Margist. Margist lifted it right as Crook was going to tag the base for the final out. Boston clung to a 1-0 lead.
Chris Kimball entered the game on defense to replace Michael Donovan and went to right shorty as Shawn Devenish slid from the right side to the left side. Scott Hogwood struck out to lead off the second. Nick Silver also struck out, making it five whiffs in a row as Pat Krause was clearly struggling. Casey Krause hit the second pitch weakly to the left side. Shawn Devenish had just moved over to the left short position. Shawn charged it, dropped to his knees, picked it, bobbled and picked it again for the final out of the inning.
Third inning
David Sanchez would lead off the inning but his swing had changed and was higher and the adjustment could not be made. The result was four waives and a seat on the bench. Elana Regan then lifted the first pitch in the air up the middle. Krause angled backwards to the middle of the field and made the stop near 100 feet. Luis Rodriguez then hit a line drive to left field and Justin Rhines made another great stop. Boston still held a 1-0 lead.
Justin Rhines led off with a rare flare to the right side. Chris Kimball charged it but it came to rest between him and Melissa Hoyt and neither would find it to beat the speedy Rhines. Mike Coughlin was next and the big lefty who rocked his pitcher’s world in the first inning hit a line drive to the left side. Drew Crook went airborne diving to his left and made a tremendous stop for the first out and his second of the game, which was some sweet redemption for him as he got picked on in their first contest in Woburn. John Margist then hit a line drive to the right side at Melissa Hoyt who didn’t hit the ground. Elana Regan came to help but she had one chance and missed it as Margist was safe running to third. Scott Hogwood then hit a bouncing grounder up the middle that got by Devenish but Elana and Drew called dead ball, which it was. With a full count, Hogwood hit a fly ball into the teeth of the Renegade defense. Melissa was over shifted and in left field and she didn’t hit the ground. Luis Rodriguez flew over and didn’t take the right angle and he had to chase it as Hogwood scored the third run. Weissman called time out and re-entered Joe McCormick into the game. Mac went to the right short position as the designated fielder, sending Chris Kimball back to the first base side. This brought Nick Silver up, who was batting left handed. He hit a bouncing grounder up the right side. McCormick laid out for it and it hit him in the chest and rolled away from him into the center of the field. McCormick got back to it and got his hands on it but could not get it off the ground to beat the speed of Silver running to first. Weissman made another defensive change and brought Shayne Cantan in to play deep for Luis Rodriguez. Casey Krause struck out for the second out. Justin Rhines then hit a fly ball to the right side. Kimball danced to his right about 10 feet (which could have been the call) and then had get back to where he started. That time to get back to his spot gave Rhines enough time to score. Mike Coughlin then hit a grounder up the left side. Devenish charged it, dove to his right and then popped up quickly to his knees as it slowly rolled by him on his right side. He reached back and got the ball in time to retire the side. Philly had a 5-1 lead after three.
Fourth inning
Chris Kimball would lead off the fourth with Hunter Weissman on the mound. He hit the second pitch on a line to the left side. Casey Krause could not get it in time to match Kimball’s speed. Devenish went down on strikes. Crook hit a weak pop up landing at about 65 feet and ran past the base, came back and tackled it as the Philly defense stood still on a dead ball call. He would end up striking out for the second time. Christian Thaxton then came into pinch hit for David Sanchez. He hit a towering fly ball to the left side and scored on the second pitch from Cochran. Tyler Mireault then came off the bench to hit for Elana Regan and hit a towering fly ball to the middle of the field and scored with ease to make it 5-4. Shayne Cantan was next as he entered on defense in the previous inning. In typical Shayne fashion he worked the count deep and on the 6th pitch hit a third towering pop fly and scored going to first base. Chris Kimball then hit a 41 foot coffin corner ball and Coughlin had no chance to beat his speed once he hit the ground early and the Renegades took the lead 6-5. Devenish then fouled off two pitches and hit a fly ball to the left side landing on the shoulder of Casey Krause and it kicked away from him as Devenish scored. Crook was stopped on a hard grounder up the middle by John Margist. Boston took a 7-5 lead.
John Margist would lead things off and strike out for the second time in this game. Scott Hogwood then hit a weak grounder just over the 40 foot line. Bryan Grillo made a great call and Devenish charged it and picked it clean for the second out. Nick Silver, batting left handed again hit a ball to the right side. Nick Morin-Tylock called for Mac to hit the ground and as he did, the ball went right into his outstretched hands. a 1-2-3 inning and the Renegades had a 7-5 lead.
Fifth inning
The Renegade energy was high and Thaxton was in the box to start off the fifth inning. If Boston could pull off this upset- they would claim the #1 seed. Thaxton launched a bomb foul on the first pitch. After two more swings and four foul tips back to his catcher he hit a very hard grounder up the middle and the ball was called dead. By rule, he had to come back to the plate with three strikes. On the 9th pitch of the at bat he hit a grounder with eyes that eluded Krause, Margist dove and missed it and Rhines over ran it and Thaxton was safe running to third showing off a lot of emotion, jumping up and down and raising his hands in the air when he hit the base. Tyler Mireault hit the first pitch off the leg of Ron Cochran for a dead ball. He hit the second pitch to the right side. Coughlin never hit the ground and Dakota Hogwood was deep. Once it got by Coughlin, Tyler ran a great base and in rare form, tripped and landed on the base as he went to the ground. Philly called a defensive time out at this point. Shayne Cantan then hit a line drive landing near the line in deep left field. Justin Rhines was able to grab it in time for the first out. Chris Kimball then hit the first pitch he saw on a line to the left side. Casey Krause laid out and made a nice stop. Shawn Devenish ended the inning with a grounder that got past Krause and was stopped by John Margist. Boston’s lead swelled to 9-5.
Casey Krause started the inning off with a bomb to left field and scored. After he hit the base, the head umpire called it a home run. For the second time in the season the head umpire had no help. He had no field umps, no base umps, no help. Weissman contested the call and Jayden Price looked for help as many people were now watching this game from the sidelines as the #1 seed was close to being knocked off. The original call of a home run was changed and it only counted as one run, instead of two. Justin Rhines was next and hit a fly ball short. McCormick and Devenish both went for it and Devenish lifted it as Rhines tore down the first base line. The call was “safe” – but replays show he never touched the base and without help on the field for the umps, there was no help again. This call stood. Rhines later would say he did not hit the bag. Mike Coughlin struck out for the first out of the inning. Margist then hit a line drive up the middle. Shayne Cantan pursued and came up short and Tyler never hit the ground as Margist scored. Hogwood hit a bomb into deep left and the Philly bench was screaming home run again. This time it was to no avail but that was the tying run. Silver then hit a spinner to the left side. Devenish charged it and it bounced by him. He slid, planted and ran back to grab it for the second out. A great play from Devenish who had just started playing this position this summer. Casey Krause ended the inning with a strike out and the game was knotted 9-9.
6th inning
Weissman went to the bench and looked to Luis Rodriguez to re-enter the game to pinch hit for Drew Crook. The lights on the field had come on. Luis had scored the first Renegade run and also had another smash earlier in the contest. He crushed the first pitch foul, fouled the second pitch back to his catcher hit a high fly foul on the 5th pitch and swung and missed to strike out on the 6th pitch. Thaxton was next and hit a fly ball that landed in front of Krause. Their spotter surely got caught up in the big swing and that hesitation by Krause was enough for Thaxton to score the go ahead run. Mireault was next and hit a weak grounder to the left side. Tyler’s speed and line were perfect, but Krause made the play. Cantan hit a weak grounder right back to Krause who made a nice charge and dive to make the stop. Boston led 10-9 heading to the bottom of the 6th.
Justin Rhines who missed the bag and was dishonest in the last inning hit a grounder to the left side down the third base line. Cantan missed it and the score was tied at ten. Coughlin struck out for the third time in the game for the first out. This brought John Margist to the plate. On the second pitch, he hit a high fly ball up the middle dropping around 70 feet between McCormick and Devenish. Shawn slightly over ran it and picked it up right after Margist scored the walk off run.
The player of the game would be Justin Rhines who scored 4 times and made three stops in the deep layer (though he did claim he never hit the base and that may have changed the outcome in this one run game). For the Renegades Christian Thaxton paced the offense with three runs and Shawn Devenish made 4 stops on defense. Boston would be knocked to the losers bracket to play the Taiwan Home Run at 9:00 am. The Philly Fire were scheduled to play Gateway at 6:00am. It was going to be a short night of rest for both teams.