Dan was unhittable on the mound, scattering three hits in a complete game shutout of Cookies & Cream in game 2. He also drove in the game-winning RBI.
The Ham Slams, led by Dan who pitched a complete game shutout, put Cookies & Cream firmly against the wall after winning game 2 of the their first round series 2-0. The win put the Ham Slams one victory away from sweeping Cookies & Cream, advancing out of the first round for the first time in franchise history, and earning a spot in the 2017 Wiffle Series. Dan allowed only three hits, and Cookies & Cream never threatened, as the Slams have now allowed only two runs on six hits in the first two games of the series combined. Steve went 2-for-4 to lead the Ham Slams on offense, with a triple and a solo homer. The Slams will attempt to close out the series in week 2 of the playoffs, while Cookies & Cream will attempt to come back from an 0-2 hole in the first round for the second time in franchise history.
The Ham Slams took an early lead in the top of the first when the game’s first batter, Steve, tripled off Cookies & Cream’s starter Guthrie. Guthrie got the next batter, Dan, to ground out to left, but Steve scored on the play, and the Ham Slams led 1-0. Guthrie then retired Josh to end the inning.
Erich singled with one out in the bottom of the first, but Cookies & Cream couldn’t capitalize, as Dan retired Joey to strand the runner and end the inning.
Guthrie cruised through the top of the second, retiring the side in order.
Dinger singled with one out in the bottom of the second, but once again Dan buckled down, retiring Guthrie to strand the runner, and the Slams continued to lead 1-0.
The Ham Slams threatened in the top of the third when Dan led off the inning with a double and moved to third on Josh’s single. The Slams had two runners in scoring position with no outs, but Guthrie avoided damage, retiring Dustin and Steve to strand them both, ending the inning without allowing a run.
Cookies couldn’t get on the board in the bottom of the third, as Dan retired Erich and Joey in order. Guthrie matched him in the top of the fourth, sending Dan and Josh down consecutively.
Josh secures a fly ball in right field for the Ham Slams, with Dustin backing him up.
Dan continued to roll in the bottom of the fourth, retiring Jordan and Dinger.
The Slams would add an insurance run in the top of the fifth. With one out, Steve launched a solo homer to right-center, putting the Ham Slams ahead 2-0. Guthrie retired Dan to end the inning, and Cookies trailed by two runs.
Guthrie led off the bottom of the fifth with a double, but once again, Dan stranded a Cookies runner. He retired Erich and Joey to end the inning, maintaining the shutout and the two run lead.
Guthrie retired the Slams in order in the top of the sixth, and Cookies would head into their final at-bat down two.
Dan contemplated bringing in a reliever for the save, but he remained on the mound to close things out for the Slams, and it was the right decision. He retired Jordan and Dinger in order, ending the game, and giving the Ham Slams a 2-0 win in game two of the best-of-five series.
The win moved the Ham Slams to only one victory away from winning the series and clinching a spot in the 2017 Wiffle Series.
W: Dan (1-0)
L: Dinger (0-1)
Game Notes:
– Dan pitched the complete game shutout for the Ham Slams, allowing only three hits in six innings. This was the 12th shutout in EWL playoff history.
– Guthrie took the loss for Cookies & Cream, giving up two runs on four hits in six innings.
– Steve led the Ham Slams on offense, going 2-for-4 with a triple, a home run, and he scored both Ham Slams runs.
– Erich, Guthrie, and Dinger each had a hit for Cookies & Cream in the loss.
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