Three-time defending MVP, Bob, picked up where he left off in 2016, going 4-for-6 with two singles, a double, and a homerun to lead Questionable Outfit
The three-time defending EWL champions picked up where they left off in the summer of 2016, scoring in every inning against the Ham Slams in an 8-1 victory. Bob and Rairigh each contributed four hits, Miller pitched a gem in his first start of the year. EWL rookie, Norris, contributed two hits, replacing Questionable Outfit mainstay, Kimble.
Miller, who had a stellar rookie campaign on the mound in 2016, started for Questionable Outfit and retired the side in order in the top of the first.
The 2016 EWL co-rookies of the year would face off against each other on the mound in this game, as Josh took the mound for the Ham Slams. He got into trouble early thanks to Questionable Outfit’s big bats and some Ham Slams’ fielding errors. Bob led off with a double, and Rairigh immediately put Questionable ahead with a two-run shot to left, making the score 2-0. Two batters later, Norris would single in his first career at-bat, but Josh limited the damage, getting Bob to ground out to center, stranding the runner after allowing only two runs.
Rairigh went 4-for-6 for Questionable Outfit, with a single, two doubles, and a homer
The Ham Slams cut the lead in half in the top of the second. With one out, Erik, making his first career EWL at-bat, and playing for a team he was not originally slated to suit up for, hit a towering blast to right. Miller then retired Josh to end the inning, and Erik’s solo shot had cut the score to 2-1.
Miller got the run back for himself in the bottom of the second, when he hit a one-out solo homer, making the score 3-1. Josh then retired Norris to end the inning.
Bob makes a catch in left field
Steve, making a return to the Ham Slams after missing most of the 2016 campaign, led off the top of the third with a triple. The Slams couldn’t plate a run, however, as Miller fanned Dustin and then got Erik to ground out to right to end the inning.
Questionable extended their lead in the bottom of the third. Bob and Mike each singled to put runners on the corners with no outs, and Miller drove in Bob with an RBI single to make the score 4-1. With runners on the corners again, Norris grounded out to left, but Rairigh scored on the play. Bob hit his second single of the inning to yet again put runners on the corners, but Josh escaped the jam, getting Mike to ground out to left to end the inning.
Down 5-1, Josh singled to lead off the top of the fourth. As he tried to extend the hit into a double, Miller pegged him from across the diamond for the first out of the inning. Steve followed with a double, but was stranded at second when Dustin grounded out to left to end the inning.
Questionable continued to score in the bottom of the fourth. Miller led off with a double, and two batters later, Bob hit a two-run bomb to right, his first of the year. Rairigh followed with a double, but Josh retired Miller to end the inning with the score 7-1.
Miller cruised through the top of the fifth, retiring Erik and Josh in order.
Miller pitched a complete game gem for Questionable Outfit, allowing only one run on four hits in six innings
Norris started the bottom of the fifth with a double, and two batters later, Rairigh hit his second double of the game, scoring Norris to make the score 8-1. Josh then retired Miller to end the inning, and the Slams trailed by seven.
Norris went 2-for-5 with a single and a double in his EWL debut
Miller remained on the mound to close things out in the top of the sixth. He struck out Steve for the first out of the inning, and then got Dustin to fly out to right, ending the game and giving Questionable Outfit the 8-1 win.
The win moved Questionable Outfit to 1-0 on the season, while the loss dropped the Ham Slams to 0-1.
W: Miller (1-0)
L: Josh (0-1)
Game Notes:
– Miller pitched the complete game win for Questionable Outfit, allowing only one run on four hits and striking out two in six innings.
– Josh took the loss for the Ham Slams, giving up eight runs on thirteen hits in five innings.
– Bob and Rairigh led Questionable Outfit at the plate. They each went 4-for-6. Bob had two singles, a double, a home run, three runs scored, and two RBI. Mike had a single, two doubles, a homer, two runs scored, and three RBI.
– In his first career game, Erik led the Ham Slams. He went 1-for-3 and produced their only run with his solo homer in the second inning.