Guthrie was in prime form against the Ham Slams, controlling their bats and providing his own run support on offense
No pitcher in EWL history has a track record like Guthrie, and he was in midseason form against the Ham Slams in the first game of the 2016 season. He kept the Slams’ bats in check, and he was also perfect at the plate, helping Cookies & Cream hang on to a narrow victory.
The 2016 season started with the sun shining down on the Wiffle Diamond in glorious form
After three-time defending MVP Bob, of Questionable Outfit, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to EWL commissioner Joey, Guthrie took the mound for the first official pitch of the 2016 season. He retired the Ham Slams in order, and he got out his stick in the bottom of the first. Andrew, one of the Ham Slams’ three rookies, started the game and retired the first batter, Joey. Guthrie then came to the plate and crushed a solo homer to deep left field, putting Cookies & Cream ahead 1-0. Andrew then retired Dinger to end the inning.
Guthrie launches one of his four hits off the Ham Slams’ Andrew
The Ham Slams would get on the board in the top of the second with a string of extra-base hits. Tim led off the inning with a double, and he moved to third when Dan followed with a double. With no outs and two runners in scoring position, Bobby, another Ham Slams rookie, grounded out to left. Jordan scooped up the ball to record an out, but Tim and Dan raced around the bases to score, putting the Slams ahead 2-1. Josh, yet another Slams rookie, followed with a double, but Guthrie retired the next batter to strand the runner and end the inning.
Andrew pitched his first perfect frame in the bottom of the second, maintaining the 2-1 Ham Slams lead.
Dan of the Ham Slams cradles a ball in left field with perfect form, two hands
Guthrie got back on track in the top of the third, retiring Tim and then striking out Dan to end the inning. He then started the bottom of the third with a leadoff double, but Andrew stranded him, striking out Dinger and retiring Jordan.
The Slams couldn’t extend their lead in the top of the fourth. Josh doubled with one out, but was held at second when Andrew was retired to end the inning.
Andrew squares up a pitch against Guthrie, who was dominant in week 1
Cookies & Cream would tie the game in the bottom of the fourth, again with the help of Guthrie, With out out, Guthrie singled, and he scored from first on a Dinger RBI double to tie the game at 2-2. The go-ahead runner was in scoring position, but Andrew retired Jordan to end the inning.
Guthrie cruised through the top of the fifth, sending the side down in order. With one out in the bottom of the fifth, he would put his team ahead for a second time. After retiring Joey to start the inning, Andrew gave up a one-out solo shot to Guthrie, his second of the game, putting Cookies & Cream ahead 3-2. Dinger singled, but Cookies couldn’t extend the lead further, as Jordan was retired to end the inning.
Dinger of Cookies & Cream stands on first, next to umpire Christian of Eastbound & Dahn, after a single
Down 3-2. the Slams started a rally in the top of the sixth. Bobby led off with a single, and the next batter, Josh, also singled. However, on the play, as Bobby was racing from second to third, Joey got the ball to Guthrie on the mound, catching the base runner between bases for the first out of the inning. The Slams still had hope, and the next batter, Andrew, singled, to put runners on first and second with one out. With the tying and go-ahead runners on base, Tim laced a line drive to right-center field. It looked as if the hit would at least tie the game or perhaps put the Slams ahead, but Joey reached up with his left hand and snagged the ball out of the air for the second out of the game in what looked like a stroke of luck. The catch ended the inning and gave Cookies & Cream a 3-2 win.
Cookies & Cream moved to 1-0 on the season, and the Ham Slams dropped to 0-1.
W: Guthrie (1-0)
L: Andrew (0-1)
Game Notes:
– Guthrie pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings pitched.
– Andrew took the complete game loss for the Ham Slams in his first career outing, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits in 5 innings.
– Guthrie led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a single, a double, two home runs, three runs scored, and 2 RBI.
– Josh led the Ham Slams in his first career EWL game, going 3-for-4 with a single and two doubles.
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