Archive | May, 2014

Questionable Outfit Dominate Opening Week to 2014 Season

10 May
Questionable Outfit started the 2014 season by outscoring their opponents 21-0.

Questionable Outfit started the 2014 season by outscoring their opponents 21-0.

Questionable Outfit were the league’s strongest team throughout the 2013 EWL regular season before being stunned by Cookies & Cream in the Wiffle Series. Since losing the final game and the championship, they have marked Opening Day of the 2014 season on their calendars, as they look to claim the 2014 Wiffle Series title.

They returned to form in week 1 of the season, outscoring their opponents 21-0, and through two games, they have not allowed a run. They showed they can win in many ways, scratching out a close one against rivals Cookies & Cream and breezing past the Ham Slams in a cakewalk. With the addition of Morrison, Questionable Outfit will once again be the team to beat in 2014.

Other items of note in week 1 include the return of Blose, the 2011 Wiffler of the Year, to the EWL. He will lead Cookies & Cream in their quest to repeat as champions. Eastbound & Dahn played without their captain, Helal, but should have a strong squad in 2013 with 2012 batting champion Ivan and 2013 Fieldmaster Hartley returning. The Ham Slams played without their core players in week 1, and when they return, they should fare better than the 34-0 combined beating they took to start the season. They should return a team with 10+ combined years of EWL experience in week 2.

The wiffle action continues Tuesday, May 13th at the Wiffle Diamond in Shadyside.

Questionable Outfit Cruise Past Depleted Ham Slams 19-0

10 May
Bob tied a single-game record with 9 RBI as Questionable Outfit destroyed the Ham Slams 19-0

Bob tied a single-game record with 9 RBI as Questionable Outfit destroyed the Ham Slams 19-0

Bob and Morrison had big games at the plate as Questionable Outfit took a big lead early and earned an easy 19-0 win over the Ham Slams, who were playing with only one player from their regular starting lineup.

The Slams sent Riley to the mound, leaving holes throughout the outfield that Questionable Outfit would take advantage of early and often. Questionable Outfit started the top of the first with four consecutive singles from Reilly, Bob, Morrison, and Reilly Jr., which resulted in a 3-0 lead. After a Reilly triple, a Bob double, and a Morrison two-run homer, the lead was 6-0. The next two batters singled, which Bob followed with a 3-run jack, and Questionable Outfit had pulled ahead 9-0. Reilly Jr. pelted a two-run blast after a Morrison single, making the score 11-0, and after Reilly and Bob hit back-to-back doubles, the score was 12-0. Morrison, hitting left-handed, struck out for the second out of the inning, ending a barrage that gave Questionable Outfit a 12-run lead after the top of the first.

Bob started for Questionable Outfit, and after allowing a single to Riley with one out in the bottom of the first, he retired the side without permitting a run.

Following the disastrous first inning, the Ham Slams enlisted the reclusive Mo Vaughn, making his first EWL appearance in years. His fielding prowess helped to minimize the damage throughout the rest of the contest. Questionable Outfit would tally three singles from Reilly Jr., Reilly, and Bob in the top of the second, but the Ham Slams escaped without allowing more runs, maintaining the 12-0 deficit. Bob would retired the side in order in the bottom of the second, including a strikeout.

Riley didn't get much help from his defense, but had one of two Ham Slams hits in the game

Riley didn’t get much help from his defense, but had one of two Ham Slams hits in the game

Riley pitched a perfect top of the third, with Mo Vaughn recording both putouts. Unfortunately for the Ham Slams, Bob did the same in the bottom half, as the Slams couldn’t generate a hit.

The flood gates opened once again in the top of the fourth as Questionable Outfit would add to their lead. Bob doubled, followed by a Morrison two-run bomb, making the score 14-0. After the Reilly brothers each singled, Bob crushed a three-run shot, extending the score to 17-0. Morrison followed with a single, and Reilly Jr. hit his second homer of the game, and the score was 19-0. Questionable would tally two more singles in the inning, but with the help of Mo Vaughn, the Ham Slams avoided falling behind by twenty runs.

The Slams couldn’t cut into the Questionable Outfit lead in the bottom of the fourth, as Bob retired the side in order.

Questionable Outfit collected four hits in the top of the fifth, but they were unable to add any runs to their total due to poor base-running and the fielding of Mo Vaughn. The Slams continued to struggle at the plate in the bottom half of the inning, and the score remained 19-0.

Morrison had two 2-run home runs in the game

Morrison had two 2-run home runs in the game

Riley retired the side in order in the top of the sixth, and Mo Vaughn led off the bottom half of the inning with a double, but Questionable Outfit turned a double play on the next hitter, ending the inning and the game.

The win moved Questionable Outfit to 2-0 on the season, and the loss dropped the Ham Slams to 0-2.

W: Bob (1-0)
L: Riley (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Bob pitched a complete game for the win, allowing only 2 hits, and fanning 2 in the shutout.
– Riley took the complete game loss for the Ham Slams, allowing a league-record 26 hits while tying the single-game record for earned runs with 19.
– Bob led Questionable Outfit at the plate, going 8-for-10 with 3 doubles, 2 home runs, and tied the single-game record for RBI with 9.
– Morrison and Reilly Jr. also had two home runs each.

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Cookies & Cream Pummel Eastbound & Dahn 14-2

10 May
Guthrie went a perfect 6-for-6 at the plate, leading Cookies & Cream in a romp over Eastbound & Dahn

Guthrie went a perfect 6-for-6 at the plate, leading Cookies & Cream in a romp over Eastbound & Dahn

Cookies & Cream and Eastbound & Dahn had two very different starts to their 2014 season, and they reversed roles when they met in the second game of the season. To open the season, Cookies & Cream were blanked by Questionable Outfit while Eastbound & Dahn stormed past the Ham Slams, but in their second game Cookies got out their bats and Dinger quieted the Eastbound offense in an easy 14-2 victory.

Dinger took the rubber for Cookies & Cream, and he pitched a flawless top half of the first. Ivan started on the mound for Eastbound & Dahn, and he got into trouble early. Guthrie led off the inning with a single, and Cookies & Cream got their first run of the season when Joey followed with an RBI triple. He scored on a Vassallo single, and after Ivan retired Dinger, Blose drove in Vassallo for the third run of the inning. Guthrie singled in Blose, and after one inning, Cookies & Cream had an early 4-0 lead.

Joey's first inning triple put Cookies & Cream on the board for the first time in the game and in the 2014 season

Joey’s first inning triple put Cookies & Cream on the board for the first time in the game and in the 2014 season

Ivan led off the top of the second with a single, but Dinger stranded him, retiring Christian and Hartley to end the inning. Cookies picked up where they left off in the bottom of the second, when Vassallo led off with a double. He would score on a Blose triple, and Guthrie followed with a triple of his own, driving in another run. Cookies would lead 6-0 after two innings.

Dinger continued to roll in the top of the third, retiring the side in order. He helped himself out when he singled with one out in the bottom of the third, and Blose hit his first homer of the year, a two-run shot to left-center, to make the score 8-0. Guthrie followed with a home run, and the back-to-back jacks put Cookies ahead 9-0.

Ivan was hit hard in Eastbound's second game of the season, allowing 17 hits in the game

Ivan was hit hard in Eastbound’s second game of the season, allowing 17 hits in the game

Ivan would single to lead off the top of the fourth, but his team couldn’t generate any run support, as Dinger retired the side, stranding the runner. Vassallo led off the bottom of the fourth with a double, and he scored when Dinger crushed a two-run bomb to left. Blose followed with a solo shot, making the score 12-0. Guthrie singled and moved to third when Joey followed him with a double, and Vassallo drove in Guthrie on a fielder’s choice. Ivan escaped further damage by retiring Dinger, but he found himself in a 13-0 hole after four innings.

Dinger retired the side in order in the top of the fifth, and he got one last run from his offense in the bottom of the fifth when Guthrie hit a solo shot, his second of the game.

Guthrie and Vassallo celebrate at the plate after another Cookies & Cream run

Guthrie and Vassallo celebrate at the plate after another Cookies & Cream run

Up 14-0, Dinger allowed his first runs in the top of the sixth. Christian singled to lead off the inning, and Hartley followed with a two-run home run, cutting the score to 14-2. It was too little too late, however, as Dinger avoided further damage, finishing the complete game victory by retiring the side.

Dinger held the Eastbound offense in check, pitching a shutout deep into the game

Dinger held the Eastbound offense in check, pitching a shutout deep into the game

The win put Cookies & Cream in the W column, moving them to 1-1 on the year, while the loss dropped Eastbound & Dahn to 1-1 as well.

W: Dinger (1-0)
L: Ivan (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Dinger pitched the complete game victory for Cookies & Cream, going 6 innings while allowing 2 runs on 5 hits.
– Ivan took the loss for Eastbound, giving up 14 runs on 17 hits in 5 innings pitched.
– Guthrie led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going a perfect 6-for-6 with 3 singles, a triple, 2 homers, 4 runs scored, and 4 RBI.
– Blose also had a big game at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a single, a triple, 2 home runs, and 5 RBI.
– Christian and Ivan each had two singles for Eastbound, and Hartley had their only extra-base hit, a two run homer.

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Reilly Blanks Cookies & Cream as Questionable Outfit Grind Out 2-0 Victory

9 May
Reilly pitched a gem as Questionable Outfit started their 2014 season with a 2-0 win over Cookies & Cream

Reilly pitched a gem as Questionable Outfit started their 2014 season with a 2-0 win over Cookies & Cream

In a rematch of the hotly contested 2013 EWL Wiffle series, Questionable Outfit, who are out to avenge their Wiffle Series loss, got their first taste of revenge in 2014 with a 2-0 win over 2013 champions Cookies & Cream.

The two best squads in the EWL looked very similar to their 2013 editions, with one major difference. Morrison, who some consider the greatest wiffler of all time, changed sides, and will play for Questionable Outfit in 2014. Mike, Questionable Outfit’s All-EWL cleanup hitter, may be out in 2013 due to childbirth, so Morrison has been traded to Questionable Outfit for the betterment of the league. Cookies & Cream returns all four starters, but also added 2011 EWL Wiffler of the Year, Blose, who returns after a limited season due to birthing his first child in 2013.

Questionable Outfit started Reilly, who pitched in a limited capacity in 2013, and he delivered the best performance of his career. He retired Guthrie to start the game, and after Joey singled with one out, he retired Vassallo to end the inning.

Guthrie, the Cy Young of the Ellsworth Wiffleball League, started on the mound for Cookies & Cream. He pitched a perfect frame in the bottom of the first, and the game remained scoreless.

Guthrie, the 2013 EWL Pitch King, pitched a good game, but got no run support from the Cookies & Cream offense

Guthrie, the 2013 EWL Pitch King, pitched a good game, but got no run support from the Cookies & Cream offense


Reilly retired Dinger for the first out in the top of the second, and after a Blose single, he stranded the runner by getting Guthrie to ground out for the second out of the inning.

Questionable Outfit broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second thanks to poor fielding by Cookies & Cream. Morrison, in his first at-bat with his new squad, doubled to lead off the inning. He moved to third when Reilly Jr. grounded out for the first out of the inning. With one out and a runner in scoring position, Reilly hit a shallow fly ball to center, and the usually sure-handed Joey bobbled the pop up, allowing Reilly to reach base safely and Morrison to score from third, putting Questionable Outfit ahead 1-0. Guthrie retired the next batter, but Reilly had provided the only run support he would need in the game.

Joey singled to lead off the top of the third, but Cookies & Cream could not capitalize, as Reilly send down the next two hitters to end the inning.

Morrison singled to start the bottom of the third, but Guthrie buckled down, retiring both Reillys and stranding the runner.

Reilly cruised through the top of the fourth, and he would not allow another hit the rest of the way. Bob added additional run support in the bottom of the inning, leading off with a solo blast to right-center, his first hit of the season. Morrison singled for his third consecutive hit, and it looked as if Questionable Outfit would blow it open, but Guthrie retired the next two batters to minimize the damage.

Bob, the 2013 Wiffler of the Year, went deep in the bottom of the fourth, putting Questionable Outfit up 2-0

Bob, the 2013 Wiffler of the Year, went deep in the bottom of the fourth, putting Questionable Outfit up 2-0

Down 2-0, Cookies & Cream couldn’t rally in the top of the fifth, going down in order. Guthrie matched Reilly in the bottom of the fifth, retiring the side without allowing a hit.

Morrison, in his first game with Questionable Outfit, slides back into third safely after overrunning the base

Morrison, in his first game with Questionable Outfit, slides back into third safely after overrunning the base

Down to their final at-bat, Cookies & Cream couldn’t get the bats going in the top of the sixth. They were stymied by Reilly’s pitching and Questionable Outfit’s fielding prowess, as Reilly send Dinger and Blose down in order to end the game, earning the complete game victory.

The win moved Questionable Outfit to 1-0 on the season, and the loss dropped Cookies & Cream to 0-1.

W: Reilly (1-0)
L: Guthrie (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Reilly pitched six strong innings, allowing only three hits and no earned runs in the complete game shutout.
– Guthrie also pitched well, allowing two runs while scattering five hits, but had no run support in the loss.
– Morrison led Questionable Outfit in his first game with the team, going 3-for-4 with two singles and a double.

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Eastbound & Dahn Crush Undermanned Ham Slams 15-0

9 May
In his EWL debut, Christian shut out the struggling Ham Slams en route to a 15-0 win.

In his EWL debut, Christian shut out the struggling Ham Slams en route to a 15-0 win.

The Ham Slams started their season with the majority of their everyday roster unavailable for play in week 1, and Eastbound & Dahn took full advantage, delivering 15 unanswered runs in a runaway victory.

Christian, one of the EWL’s rookie players in 2014, started on the mound for Eastbound & Dahn. He struck out the first batter he faced in his career, Josh of the Ham Slams, and retired Riley to end the top of the first.

Eastbound & Dahn got on the board early, capitalizing on countless fielding errors by the Ham Slams. The Slams started two rookies and had only Charlie from their regular roster on the field. Christian singled to lead off the bottom of the first, and moved to second when Hartley flew out for the first out of the inning. Eastbound followed with three consecutive doubles by Ivan, Christian, and Hartley, making the score 3-0. Charlie got Ivan to ground out to end the inning.

The Ham Slams, missing their core players, had difficulty fielding and made many errors leading to Eastbound & Dahn runs

The Ham Slams, missing their core players, had difficulty fielding and made many errors leading to Eastbound & Dahn runs

Christian cruised through the top of the second, and Eastbound pulled away for good in the bottom half of the inning. Eastbound scored ten runs in the bottom half of the inning, with each of their players netting at least three hits. Christian had an inside the park homer while scoring three runs in the inning, Ivan singled three times and scored three runs, and Hartley had a double, a triple, and two bombs in the inning alone, as Eastbound led 13-0 after two innings.

Hartley tied EWL single-game records for doubles and RBI in an offensive explosion for Eastbound & Dahn

Hartley tied EWL single-game records for doubles and RBI in an offensive explosion for Eastbound & Dahn

The Ham Slams continued to struggle at the plate in the top of the third, and were held scoreless by Christian. Eastbound scored in the bottom of the third, but the runs were negated following the game due to hitting out of order. The fourth inning was quite similar, as the Ham Slams were unable to score, although a Riley single did break up the no-hit bid by Christian. Eastbound scored another run in the bottom of the fourth, but it was also negated by batting out of order.

Riley had one of two hits for the Ham Slams in their first game of 2014

Riley had one of two hits for the Ham Slams in their first game of 2014

Christian continued to tear through Ham Slams hitters in the top of the fifth, and Eastbound piled on two more runs in the bottom of the inning. Christian and Ivan had two hits each, and Hartley had three, including two doubles, as Eastbound led 15-0 after five.

Feeling the fatigue in his first career start, Christian gave way to Hartley from the bullpen in the top of the sixth. In a non-save opportunity, Hartley recorded the final two outs, giving Eastbound & Dahn the win.

The opening game beatdown moved Eastbound & Dahn to 1-0 on the year, while the Ham Slams dropped to 0-1.

W: Christian (1-0)
L: Charlie (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– In his career debut on the mound, Christian pitched 5 innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out 3. He also went 6-for-11 at the plate with a double, a homer, and 2 RBI.
– Charlie, one of the best pitchers in 2013, wasn’t helped by his defense. He gave up a career high 15 runs on 22 hits in the complete game loss.
– Hartley set the pace for Eastbound, going 8-for-10 with 4 doubles, tying a single-game record, 2 homers, 9 RBI, also tying a single-game record, and 6 put outs.
– Ivan held his own as well, going 8-for-10 with 4 RBI, and tied a single-game record with 6 singles.

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