Opening Day: Bridgeport Hit Men 3, Douglas South Siders 2
Solid pitching from Brett Ballantini, a co-MVP day from Joe Resis and a rally-starting homer from Julie Brady paced the win.
Welcome to the Armour Square Park League, where South Side Hit Pen staff and patrons have filled five team rosters:
Armour Square Nine
Bridgeport Hit Men
Chinatown Grinders
Douglas South Siders
Red Line Go-Gos
We may add more players and teams as the league goes on this summer, but that depends on any increase in staff — or interested patrons!
Tuesday was Opening Night, and it was a chilly one, as bats were frozen until late in the game.
Leadoff hitter for Douglas, Laura Wolff, had the first base hit in league history. She also was the first player gunned down on a steal attempt!
The first big scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the sixth, when Joe Resis doubled in-between line outs to third by Year of the Hamster and Brett Ballantini. Ashley Sanders smacked a hard grounder up the middle, but a diving stop by David Smith at second base saved a run, and the game remained scoreless.
In the bottom of the eighth, Julie Brady (0-for-2 to start the game) clocked a home run to left to get Bridgeport on the board. But the Hit Men weren't done there, as Resis and Ballantini singled to center and then a hit-and-run with Sanders at the played panicked Darren Black into a passed ball. Sanders nearly hit an oppo taco, but had to settle for a sacrifice fly to bring in Resis. Sean Williams then came through with a clutch, two-out single to put the Hit Men up, 3-0.
It turns out the insurance runs were needed. With Anthony Kiefer on with a one-out walk, Smith lined deep to left for a double, a crazy bounce off the wall turning it into a triple, and an overthrow to the infield allowed the batter to score, cutting the Bridgeport lead to 3-2.
But Ballantini settled down, coaxing a grounder to first and a line out to second to end the game.
Big hitters in the game included Resis and Smith, both 3-for-4. Both Ballantini and Douglas starter Mike Gasick threw good games. We'll award co-MVPs to Resis and Ballantini for this Bridgeport win.
On Thursday night sees the Red Line Go-Gos visit the Chinatown Grinders, in both teams' season debut. The Go-Gos are headlined by spring training heroes Amber Giese and Owen Schoenfeld.
3-24-2020 Douglas South Siders (0-0) vs. Bridgeport Hit Men (0-0) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Douglas South Siders 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 5 0 Bridgeport Hit Men 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 x 3 8 1 Douglas South Siders AB R H RBI BB SO AVE L. Wolff (CF) 4 0 2 0 0 0 .500 D. Victor (RF) 4 0 0 0 0 1 .000 C. Eric (3B) 3 0 0 0 0 2 .000 A. Kiefer (LF) 2 1 0 0 2 0 .000 D. Smith (2B) 4 1 3 1 0 0 .750 S. Kleinman (SS) 3 0 0 0 0 0 .000 R. Hultgen (1B) 4 0 0 0 0 0 .000 D. Black (C) 3 0 0 0 0 1 .000 M. Gasick (P) 3 0 0 0 0 0 .000 30 2 5 1 2 4 3B: D. Smith[1] SH: S. Kleinman[1] CS: L. Wolff[1] PB: D. Black[1] HBP: C. Eric[1] Bridgeport Hit Men AB R H RBI BB SO AVE Y. the Hamster (SS) 4 0 0 0 0 0 .000 J. Resis (2B) 4 1 3 0 0 0 .750 B. Ballantini (P) 3 1 1 0 1 0 .333 A. Sanders (CF) 2 0 0 1 1 1 .000 S. Williams (3B) 4 0 1 1 0 0 .250 R. Matte (C) 4 0 1 0 0 0 .250 P. Banting (1B) 3 0 0 0 0 0 .000 L. Laura (LF) 3 0 1 0 0 0 .333 J. Brady (RF) 3 1 1 1 0 0 .333 30 3 8 3 2 1 2B: J. Resis[1] HR: J. Brady[1] SF: A. Sanders[1] SB: J. Resis[1], B. Ballantini[1] E: L. Laura[1] 2020-Douglas South Siders IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA M. Gasick 8.0 8 3 3 2 1 1 3.38 8.0 8 3 3 2 1 1 2020-Bridgeport Hit Men IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA B. Ballantini 9.0 5 2 2 2 4 0 2.00 9.0 5 2 2 2 4 0
A great day for a scheduled game between DSS (0-0) and BHM (0-0). The starting pitcher for DSS is Mike Gasick (0-0, 0.00). The starting pitcher for BHM is Brett Ballantini (0-0, 0.00). *** Top of the 1st *** Now Wolff strolls to the plate... nobody out. Ballantini turns and delivers ... Grounded sharply to the right side ... and that's going to get past Banting and into right field ... Brady comes up with it quickly there... and Wolff is aboard with a single. Victor at the plate... nobody down. Wolff leads off first. Wolff held on by Banting. Ballantini ready, here he comes ... Swung on ... and there's a liner to second base ... but Resis is right there to take care of it ... and Victor is out. Here's Eric... one gone. Wolff is away from first. Wolff has a good lead ... There goes Wolff ... the throw from Matte ... is in time, they got her! Batting next is Eric... two gone here in the Top of the 1st. Ballantini deals ... It drills Eric ... Ballantini was trying to move him off of the plate ... And now he's moved him 90 feet to first base! Settling into the box is Kiefer... two down here in the Top of the 1st. Eric is on at first. Banting holding Eric to the bag, trying to steal a step. Ballantini has the sign ... he winds, cocks, and fires ... Slapped behind first ... Banting dives ... Gloves it ... And flips it to Ballantini covering first ... He's out! No runs, 1 hit, and 1 man left on base for DSS... And after one half it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Bottom of the 1st *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for BHM: the Hamster, Resis, and Ballantini *** And the hitter is the Hamster... nobody gone. Gasick toes the rubber ... now winds, and delivers ... Grounder slapped to shortstop ... Kleinman gathers it in ... And fires a strike to first for the out. Settling into the box is Resis... one down. And Gasick steps off the mound for a moment... he is ready now... the pitch... Swung on ... hit on the button towards right field ... and that's going to elude Victor ... base hit for Resis. Ballantini stands in to take his turn... one out. Resis at first. Gasick rifles it to first ... Safe! Resis scrambles back. Gasick checks Resis to keep him close to the bag ... Gasick looks down and gets a sign from Black ... the pitch ... the corner infielders are creeping in... Swung on ... a towering pop-up behind the mound ... a trio converging, as Gasick, Smith, and Kleinman are all there ... finally it's Smith calling everyone off to make the catch. Sanders checks in... two out here in the Bottom of the 1st. Resis leads off first. Gasick looks at Resis ... Gasick toes the rubber ... now winds, and delivers ... A swing and a miss ... Another strikeout for Gasick. No runs, 1 hit, and 1 man left on base for BHM... And after 1 it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Top of the 2nd *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for DSS: Smith, Kleinman, and Hultgen *** Smith is coming up next... nobody out. Ballantini ready and deals ... Swung on ... big bouncer over the mound ... up in the air to get it is the Hamster ... and she makes a strong, accurate throw to Banting to get him. Kleinman is the hitter... one gone here in the Top of the 2nd. The pitch coming up ... Offspeed ... and a fly ball to right field ... circling under it is Brady ... and she makes the catch for the out. Hultgen steps in and repositions his helmet ... Now he's ready... two away. Ballantini rocks and fires ... Fastball ... and that's popped up just behind the plate ... Matte settling under it ... and he makes the catch. No runs, no hits, and nobody left on base for DSS... And after 1 and a half it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Bottom of the 2nd *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for BHM: Williams, Matte, and Banting *** Williams is up there now... nobody out here in the Bottom of the 2nd. The next offering from Gasick ... Swung on ... and that's well hit to left field ... Kiefer coming over ... and makes the catch ... Nice play! Matte is up there now... one gone here in the Bottom of the 2nd. Gasick has the sign ... he rocks back, and here it is ... Swung on ... and that's lined towards center field ... but right to Smith ... and Matte is out. Banting stands in to take his turn... two gone. Gasick cranks and fires ... Harmless fly ball to center ... Wolff waits for it ... And grabs it. No runs, no hits, and nobody left on base for BHM... And after 2 it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Top of the 3rd *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for DSS: Black, Gasick, and Wolff *** Now batting, Black... nobody gone here in the Top of the 3rd. Ballantini is taking his time... the pitch ... A swing and a miss ... The hook got him! Now here's Gasick... one out. The pitch coming up ... Cued to first base ... Banting grabs it and hustles to the bag ahead of Gasick for the out. Wolff will be the hitter. So far today she is 1 for 1... two gone here in the Top of the 3rd. Ballantini is taking his time... the pitch ... Lifted to left ... Laura is there ... Waiting ... And she has it. No runs, no hits, and nobody left on base for DSS... And after 2 and a half it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Bottom of the 3rd *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for BHM: Laura, Brady, and the Hamster *** Laura will be the batter... nobody gone. Gasick has the sign ... he rocks back, and here it is ... Swung on ... soft line drive up the middle ... just over the infield ... and into center field for a base hit ... cut off there by Wolff ... single for Laura. Brady taking a moment to clean some dirt from his spikes ... And now she steps in to face Gasick... nobody down. Laura is on at first. Gasick glances over at first ... Gasick toes the rubber ... now winds, and delivers ... Slow grounder toward first ... Hultgen moves in quickly ... Gloves it ... And underhands it to Gasick for the out. Laura heads to second. Now the Hamster strolls to the plate. So far today she is 0 for 1... one out here in the Bottom of the 3rd. BHM threatening here, with Laura at second. Gasick cranks it up and deals ... the Hamster hits it slowly on the ground towards second base ... up with it is Smith ... he'll have to hurry ... and he just does get the Hamster by a step! Laura hustles to third. Now here's Resis. So far today he is 1 for 1... two out. Laura steps away from third. Gasick has the sign ... he rocks back, and here it is ... Ground ball up the middle Kleinman ... He gathers it in ... And throws a strike to Hultgen for the out. No runs, 1 hit, and 1 man left on base for BHM... And after 3 it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Top of the 4th *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for DSS: Victor, Eric, and Kiefer *** Coming up next, Victor. So far today he is 0 for 1... nobody out here in the Top of the 4th. Ballantini turns and delivers ... Swung on ... and that's looped to shallow center ... the Hamster going out, Sanders coming in ... and now Sanders signaling that she's got it ... and puts it away for the out. That will bring up Eric... one out. The pitch coming up ... A swing and a miss ... Ballantini finishes him off with a fastball. Coming up next, Kiefer. So far today he is 0 for 1... two down. Kiefer waiting ... now Ballantini delivers ... Way outside and they walked him. Now Smith digs in... two out. Kiefer is on at first. A quick throw over to first ... Kiefer dives back ... And is in just under the tag. Kiefer held on by Banting. Ballantini at the belt, now comes to the plate ... And there's a little flare to center field ... Sanders a little slow to react ... and all she can do is hustle in to pick it up off the grass ... that'll look like a line drive in the boxscore. With two out, they play it safe ... The runners will hold ... Into second and holding is Kiefer. Kleinman is the hitter. So far today he is 0 for 1... two out. Kiefer leads off second. Smith at first. Ballantini brings it ... Lifted to medium center ... Sanders is there ... Waiting ... And she grabs it. No runs, 1 hit, and 2 runners left on base for DSS... We've played 3 and a half, and the score is DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Bottom of the 4th *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for BHM: Ballantini, Sanders, and Williams *** Ballantini stands in to take his turn. So far today he is 0 for 1... nobody gone here in the Bottom of the 4th. The pitch on the way ... And Ballantini looks at ball four. Sanders stands in to take her turn. So far today he is 0 for 1... nobody out here in the Bottom of the 4th. Ballantini takes his lead from first. Hultgen holding Ballantini to the bag, trying to steal a step. Sanders waits ... Gasick turns on the rubber, and deals ... And that misses inside, for ball four. Ballantini advances to second. Williams is the hitter. So far today he is 0 for 1... nobody gone. Ballantini takes his lead from second. Sanders is away from first. The next pitch is on the way ... Williams hits it hard on the ground ... taken by Kleinman at shortstop ... he goes to Smith for the force ... and down to first ... in time ... double play! Ballantini moves to third. Batting next for BHM, Matte... two down. Ballantini steps away from third. Matte waiting ... now Gasick delivers ... Hit on the ground to second base ... Picked up by Smith ... And he fires to first in time to get the out. No runs, no hits, and 1 man left on base for BHM... 4 in the books, and it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Top of the 5th *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for DSS: Hultgen, Black, and Gasick *** Up to bat is Hultgen. So far today he is 0 for 1... nobody down. The next offering from Ballantini ... Two hopper to second base ... Resis gathers it in ... And tosses to first for the out. Black is next. So far today he is 0 for 1... one out here in the Top of the 5th. Ballantini cranking, firing ... Hit to shallow center ... Coming on is Sanders ... And he makes the catch about knee high. Gasick checks in. So far today he is 0 for 1... two down. The pitch coming up ... Swung on ... and there's a dunker to center field ... Sanders got a great jump and is coming in a hurry ... and she puts it away for the out ... great hustle there! No runs, no hits, and nobody left on base for DSS... 4 and a half in the books, and it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Bottom of the 5th *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for BHM: Banting, Laura, and Brady *** Banting is next. So far today he is 0 for 1... nobody gone. Gasick toes the rubber ... now winds, and delivers ... Little fly ball to shallow left field ... circling under it is Kiefer ... and he makes the catch for the out. Now Laura digs in... one out. Gasick looks down and gets a sign from Black ... the pitch ... In the air to center field ... but playable for Wolff ... who puts it away, to take care of Laura easily. Settling into the box is Brady... two gone here in the Bottom of the 5th. Gasick toes the rubber ... now winds, and delivers ... Routine ground ball toward second base ... Smith scoops it up ... And the throw to Hultgen is in plenty of time. No runs, no hits, and nobody left on base for BHM... And after 5 it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Top of the 6th *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for DSS: Wolff, Victor, and Eric *** Wolff is coming up next. So far today she is 1 for 2... nobody gone. Now the pitch to Wolff ... Lifted to right ... Brady drifts under it ... And closes her glove on it to retire Wolff. Here's Victor... one down. Ballantini cranks and fires ... Easy grounder to Banting at first ... And the underhand feed to Ballantini covering, for the out. And play stops for a moment as Eric goes back to the dugout to get a new bat ... Now he returns and steps into the box... two away. Ballantini is taking his time... the pitch ... Grounded down the first base line ... Banting snags it behind the bag ... And shovels it to Ballantini in time for the out. No runs, no hits, and nobody left on base for DSS... 5 and a half in the books, and it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Bottom of the 6th *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for BHM: the Hamster, Resis, and Ballantini *** Now at the plate, the Hamster. So far today she is 0 for 2... nobody out. Gasick rocks and fires ... Swung on ... lined to third base ... right there to handle it is Eric ... and he makes the catch for the out. Up next for BHM, Resis. So far today he is 1 for 2... one down. And Resis tired of waiting and steps out of the box ... he steps back in now ... and Gasick delivers ... Swung on ... a high drive to left field ... and deep ... Kiefer going back ... but it's over his head and off the wall ... double for Resis. Now Ballantini digs in. So far today he is 0 for 1... one gone here in the Bottom of the 6th. BHM threatening here, with Resis at second. Gasick is taking his time... the pitch ... the corner infielders are creeping in... Lined to third base ... right there to handle it is Eric ... and he makes the catch for the out. Sanders steps up next. So far today she is 0 for 1... two away here in the Bottom of the 6th. BHM threatening here, with Resis at second. Gasick rocks and fires ... Sanders grounds this one hard up the middle ... diving stop by Smith ... and he throws to Hultgen to get her! No runs, 1 hit, and 1 man left on base for BHM... And after 6 it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Top of the 7th *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for DSS: Kiefer, Smith, and Kleinman *** Kiefer is the hitter. So far today he is 0 for 1... nobody gone. Ballantini at the belt, now comes to the plate ... Kiefer hits it slowly on the ground towards second base ... up with it is Resis ... he'll have to hurry ... and he just does get Kiefer by a step! Stepping to the plate is Smith. So far today he is 1 for 2... one out. The pitch on the way to Smith ... Swung on ... and a line drive base hit into right field ... Brady comes in to take it on a hop ... single for Smith. Batting next is Kleinman. So far today he is 0 for 2... one gone here in the Top of the 7th. Smith is on at first. Kleinman squares to bunt ... and he gets it down ... Williams charges and comes up with it quickly ... he glances over and thinks about second ... but now tosses to Banting at first for the sure out. Taking second is Smith. Coming up next, Hultgen. So far today he is 0 for 2... two down. Smith is on at second. The pitch coming up ... And there's a little flare to center field ... Sanders got a great jump and is coming in a hurry ... and she puts it away for the out ... great hustle there! No runs, 1 hit, and 1 man left on base for DSS... 6 and a half in the books, and it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Bottom of the 7th *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for BHM: Williams, Matte, and Banting *** Time for the seventh-inning stretch. Williams will be the hitter... nobody out. Gasick toes the rubber ... now winds, and delivers ... Fly ball to right ... Hit fairly shallow ... Victor has plenty of time to get there ... And makes the catch. Standing in to hit is Matte. So far today he is 0 for 2... one out here in the Bottom of the 7th. The pitch on the way ... Swung on ... and there's a little flare to center field ... Wolff a little slow to react ... and all she can do is play it on a hop ... Matte will take it ... and he's standing at first with a single. Standing in to hit is Banting... one down here in the Bottom of the 7th. Matte at first. Gasick checks Matte to keep him close to the bag ... Gasick deals ... Swung on ... and there's a little flare to center field ... ���Wolff got a great jump and is coming in a hurry ... and she puts it away for the out ... great hustle there! Now Laura digs in. So far today he is 1 for 2... two away. Matte is on at first. Hultgen holding Matte to the bag, trying to steal a step. Gasick delivers ... Lifted to center ... And right to Wolff ... Who had him played perfectly. No runs, 1 hit, and 1 man left on base for BHM... And after 7 it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Top of the 8th *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for DSS: Black, Gasick, and Wolff *** Settling into the box is Black... nobody out here in the Top of the 8th. Ballantini on and off the mound ... Black in and out of the box ... they're both ready now ... and the pitch on the way ... Swung on ... hard ground ball to Banting ... and he'll win the race to the bag for the out. Gasick steps into the box. So far today he is 0 for 2... one gone. Ballantini deals ... Offspeed ... and that's lined sharply towards the left side ... but right to Banting ... and Gasick is out. And the hitter is Wolff. So far today she is 1 for 3... two down here in the Top of the 8th. Wolff waits ... Ballantini turns on the rubber, and deals ... Swung on ... and that's slapped into center field for a base hit ... coming over to get it is Sanders ... a single for Wolff. Victor at the plate. So far today he is 0 for 3... two gone. Wolff leads off first. They throw over to first ... And Wolff gets back easily. Ballantini looks at Wolff ... Ballantini kicks and deals... Struck him out looking at a curve. No runs, 1 hit, and 1 man left on base for DSS... 7 and a half in the books, and it's DSS 0 - BHM 0. *** Bottom of the 8th *** *** DSS 0 - BHM 0 *** *** Due up for BHM: Brady, the Hamster, and Resis *** So here's Brady. So far today she is 0 for 2... nobody gone here in the Bottom of the 8th. Money pitch ... Lifted deep to left field ... back goes Kiefer ... this one has a chance ... and that's GONE! Home Run for Brady! And that breaks the tie, BHM now leads 1 - 0. the Hamster steps in and calls for time ... Now she's ready... nobody out. Gasick toes the rubber ... now winds, and delivers ... Lined hard to shortstop ... but right there to handle it is Kleinman ... and he makes the catch for the out. Batting next is Resis... one down. And it looks like a few words being exchanged between Gasick and Resis ... they're both ready now ... and the pitch on the way ... And a line drive base hit into center field ... Wolff comes in to take it on a hop ... single for Resis. Ballantini moves into the box now... one down. Resis is away from first. Resis held on by Hultgen. The next offering from Gasick ... the corner infielders are creeping in... Ballantini hits it hard on the ground ... and that's into center field for a base hit ... up to get it is Wolff ... single for Ballantini. And BHM showing a little faith in their bats here ... Holding the runners in place ... Over to second goes Resis. Sanders stands in to take her turn. So far today he is 0 for 2... one out. Resis is away from second. Ballantini leads off first. And the next pitch ... the runners are on the move ... Passed ball ... Black scrambles to chase it down. Resis advances to third base. Ballantini goes to second. Standing in to hit is Sanders. So far today she is 0 for 2... one out. Resis at third. Ballantini is on at second. The infield is in. The next offering from Gasick ... Hit in the air to deep right field ... going back is Victor ... way back ... and he picks it off on the warning track to retire Sanders. Tagging from third is Resis ... and he scores. Now here's Williams... two down. BHM threatening here, with Ballantini at second. Gasick is taking his time... the pitch ... Fastball ... soft line drive up the middle ... just over the infield ... and into center field for a base hit ... cut off there by Wolff ... single for Williams. That's deep enough ... Ballantini is being waved around ... Here comes Ballantini to score. Matte plants the right foot, and now the left ... and stares out at Gasick... two out. Williams takes his lead from first. Gasick glances over at first ... And Gasick steps off the mound for a moment... he is ready now... the pitch... High fly ball to the gap in right center ... Victor on the dead run ... and he catches up to it to pick it off on the warning track ... nice play! That'll do it for BHM in the Bottom of the 8th. But they get 3 runs in the inning... and have now jumped out on top 3 - 0. *** Top of the 9th *** *** BHM 3 - DSS 0 *** *** Due up for DSS: Eric, Kiefer, and Smith *** Coming up next, Eric... nobody down here in the Top of the 9th. Now the pitch to Eric ... A swing and a miss ... And he's out on strikes. Now Kiefer strides to the plate. So far today he is 0 for 2... one out. The next offering from Ballantini ... And Kiefer takes outside ... ball four. Stepping to the plate is Smith. So far today he is 2 for 3... one out. Kiefer takes his lead from first. Ballantini is keeping a close eye on Kiefer ... Anchoring him to the bag. Ballantini looks at Kiefer ... Ballantini has the sign ... he winds, cocks, and fires ... Look out, that's way outside and gets away from Matte ... wild pitch! Stopping at second is Kiefer. Smith moves into the box now... one down. Kiefer leads off second. Ballantini on and off the mound ... Smith in and out of the box ... they're both ready now ... and the pitch on the way ... Swung on ... and that ball is absolutely hammered to left field ... no chance for Laura ... she'll have to play it off the wall ... and now it takes a crazy hop and gets away! ... That'll be a triple for Smith! And now Laura overthrows the cutoff back the infield ... Ballantini is there to backup the play ... but Smith alertly takes an extra base ... and Laura will draw an error on the throw. Scoring from second is Kiefer. Scoring on the play is Smith. Batting next for DSS, Kleinman. So far today he is 0 for 2... one down here in the Top of the 9th. Ballantini at the belt, now comes to the plate ... Dribbler toward first ... Banting has it ... And throws to Ballantini covering at first for the out. Now Hultgen strides to the plate. So far today he is 0 for 3... two down. Ballantini ready and deals ... Swung on ... and that's lined towards center field ... but right to Resis ... and Hultgen is out. And you can put this one in the books. The final score is BHM 3 - DSS 2