2003 Softball Playoff Highlights

Hogs lose final play-off game 11-3 against Charlestown Saloon

(and it wasn't as close as the score would indicate).  The Hogs struggled with their offense throughout the entire 3 game play-off stretch. The team batting average was a paltry .281. I would have said anemic but I don't know how to spell it. If only Noel's mouth was a quiet as the Hogs' bats were. Spuds' theory surfaced and it revolved around the fact that the Hogs were taking  batting practice while waiting for the game to start, a traditional no-no, "We may have been over-honed". Some things never seem to change as Pung noticed that the current Hogs "look and play like the old Hogs."

Final play-off stats are as follows: Mike .500, Areno .429, Elmer .400,  Coop .400,  Booger .375,  The Tool .333,  Noel .333,  Andy .250,  The Bat .222,  The Fridge .200,  Duff,  Stan, Spuds nada,nada,nada.  The 2nd annual Taco Party was held at the Stables after the game and was hosted by Super Fan Mom DeOrzio. Teamates, the Bunch, the Tykes, the Clan, the Crew, (that's Pung and Chris Rugh) and the regular fans were all treated to a great feast. So Season 2003 comes to a close knowing that we have the potential to do better next year especially with 2004 being our 25th anniversary season. The rookies will continue their battle as sophomores. The Hog Squad will  continue as our top guns, Areno will rule, Andy will recruit, Elmer and Pat will heal, and Stan will pitch. The season's final stats will be published as soon as they are available. It was a fun year. See everyone soon.  Later, Areno #14 GM

Hogs Crush the Beernuts and Advance to the Final Four!! 

The key to this game was pitching and defense. Stan carded his 6th career play-off victory backed up by 'The Leather Hogs'. 

6th Career Playoff Win

Mike made two outstanding catches; one running deep to center field to snag a potential homer. And another, a shoestring catch coming in on a line drive.

Defensive Star

Dan, now fully recovered from the Bitch Slapping he received after the first game celebration, was busy running down fly balls all game.  Pat and Coop also made running catches. The Beernuts must have sensed a shellacking was in progress as they were stymied every step of the way. The Hogs scored one run in each of the second, third and fourth innings to answer the Nuts first inning run. Going into the sixth inning the Hogs were up 3-1. When were the hard-hitting Beernuts going to come out of their shell?  Then the Hogs erupted with a 3-run inning which gave us a more comfortable cushion and a 6-1 lead. Was an upset was in the making?  But the Beernuts finally came alive and came back in the bottom of the inning with 3 runs of their own. The Hogs went into the 7th inning holding a tenuous 6-4 lead. We went down in order in the top of the 7th and the Nuts had the middle of their line-up fired up and ready to go. But they could not figure out how to beat this team of destiny. The first batter singled, causing our Hog senses to tingle, but that was all the Nuts could muster as Stan retired the remaining batters. Hogs win another play-off game 6-4!

4th Career Playoff GWRBI

Other Highlights:  Areno with 4th career play-off GWRBI, Noel 2 hits and 2 runs, Coop 2 hits, 2 RBIs. Next round of play-offs begin on Friday. Will the Hogs be prepared for this contest after such an amazing night of softball? How to prevent a letdown?  Why Beer of course!  The team party (and a great one it was) was held at Mike's house after the victory. Fussball, Pool, and Darts, all games that require eye to hand coordination, the same tools needed in softball, were foolishly attempted by the Hogs in Mike's game room.  Good Game Hogs !!  Good Party Hogs !!

The Hogs Lay to Rest the Second coming of Christ Church!

Picking up where we left off in the 5th inning of Monday's postponement, we were ahead 6-3.  The Christ Church of the Valley rallied to tie the game at 6-6 in the seventh.  It looked like extra innings where inevitable as the Hogs looked flat. But wait...Pat led off  and reached first on an error. After 2 outs, Mike legged out an infield grounder (with a bang-bang play at first in his favor).  Experience ruled as Elmer patiently worked their frustrated pitcher for a walk to load the bases. Who's excited? The defining moment had arrived. Bases loaded, two outs, bottom of the 7th in a do or die play-off game. Dan 'The Fridge' then smoked a liner to left field on a 0-1 count for the GWRBI!! Hogs win 7-6 !!

Clutch Hit Wins Game

After a brief celebration, the Hogs had to settle down and focus on our next opponent waiting to knock the Hogs out of the play-offs. Mike and Booger each with 2 hits and 2 runs, as was highlighted when I thought that we had already won this game two days ago.

Christ Church Rises From The Ashes!

It's a miracle !!  Christ Church has risen from the ashes !!  Just when you thought it was safe to proceed to the next round of the play-offs....
The results of the shortened play-off game vs. Christ Church of the Valley has been protested and overruled.  The Hogs game will pick up where we left off  vs. Christ Church, that is, in the top of the 5th inning with the Hogs winning 6-3.  The winner of this game will then play The Beernuts immediately following on the same field.  The games will be on the 'B' field starting at 6:00.  Spread this gospel so everyone knows what is happening.  Let's go Hogs!! 

 Hogs Advance To Third Round of the Play-offs! 

A plethora of Hogs combined their talents and beat Christ Church of the Valley 6-3.  This victory sends Christ Church packing while the Hogs eye the number 3 seed in the next play-off game. In a game shortened because of darkness, good defense and timely hits were just what the Hogs needed to win. Highlights...In his play-off debut, Mike picked up 2 hits and 2 runs. Chuck 'The Tool' Bloemer sounds like plumber, stretched a single into a double. He then scored from second on an infield hit electrifying the crowd with a head first slide into home. The 'Duffman' cheer was heard after good defensive play at third. Booger blazes the base paths with a double and a triple. He scores the go ahead run with Andy's GWRBI.  Areno..1 Hit, 1 RBI; Pat..double, run, RBI; Stan racks up his 5th lifetime play-off victory.