This weekend saw only two games played in the Irish baseball league, an 'A' and 'B' level 'double header' between the Dublin City Hurricanes and the Greystones Mariners played at the O'Malley field in Corcaigh Park, Clondalkin.
Hurricanes 14 Greystones Mariners 9
The Hurricanes hosted the Mariners in the Sunday morning game at Corcaigh Park and the 'Canes were able to field their strongest batting lineup of the season with all players available for the first time this year. However, the game started with a defensive slant. Jim Gorman led the game off with a walk off Hurricanes pitcher Cormac Eklof but was promptly gunned down attempting to steal, catcher Tom Kelley's bullet throw beating him to the bag by a couple of feet.
This seemed to settle the 'Canes down defensively and they put up a few zeroes in the first three innings whilst building on a little 2-0 lead built up with some good old fashioned 'small ball'. The Hurricanes would break through with authority in the bottom of the fourth. Rafael Diaz was a constant thorn in the Mariners side from the nine spot in the order, and he got the inning started with a hard line drive single to right. The Hurricanes loaded the bases after scoring a couple with captain Steve Divito taking a pitch in the ribs. Up stepped 'Canes veteran Chris Foy, taking a break from his jet setting ways, and Foy wasted no time in jumping on the first pitch he saw to drive the ball for a two run single.
Jim Gorman had been pitching well to that point but seemed to lose his confidence after Foy abused that first pitch offering. The Hurricanes sped out to a 9-0 lead. Pitcher Cormac Eklof suffered a bout of wildness in the top of the fifth letting the Mariners back into it at 9-4 but the 'Canes came roaring back with hits from Rafael, Alex, Tommy and Tk amongst others pushing the lead out to 14-4.
The 'Canes offence was paced by a remarkable 5 for 5 outburst off the bat of Woody Woodburne. Woody also came on to pitch taking the ball in the 7th to finish the Mariners off and seal the 14-9 Hurricanes victory.
Now sitting at 3-3 the Hurricanes season is back on track. Next Saturday they have a stern test in the form of the Spartans who are off to a roaring start. For now, the 'Canes can sit back and enjoy their offensive outburst from yesterday, and find out what Woody '5 for 5' Woodburne is on.
Hurricanes 'B' 25 v Greystones 'B' 10
The Hurricanes 'B', or 'baby Canes' as manager for the day Eric 'Vegas' Valkys, was calling them, overcame a very slow start to lead 16-9 after only four innings. Veteran Hurricane starter Garret Pearse had only given up three hits to that stage and had battled to control some early wildness. The 'baby Canes' struck for seven runs in the bottom of the fifth giving them a whopping 23-10 lead which they then stretched to 25-10 meaning the game ended on the 15 run 'mercy rule'. Congratulations to the Hurricanes 'B' squad for putting up such incredible numbers and for winning their second in a row.
Links:
If you would like to get involved with Baseball Ireland at any level, Adult or Youth, or would like to support the game in Ireland, please refer to this link.
Hurricanes 14 Greystones Mariners 9
The Hurricanes hosted the Mariners in the Sunday morning game at Corcaigh Park and the 'Canes were able to field their strongest batting lineup of the season with all players available for the first time this year. However, the game started with a defensive slant. Jim Gorman led the game off with a walk off Hurricanes pitcher Cormac Eklof but was promptly gunned down attempting to steal, catcher Tom Kelley's bullet throw beating him to the bag by a couple of feet.
This seemed to settle the 'Canes down defensively and they put up a few zeroes in the first three innings whilst building on a little 2-0 lead built up with some good old fashioned 'small ball'. The Hurricanes would break through with authority in the bottom of the fourth. Rafael Diaz was a constant thorn in the Mariners side from the nine spot in the order, and he got the inning started with a hard line drive single to right. The Hurricanes loaded the bases after scoring a couple with captain Steve Divito taking a pitch in the ribs. Up stepped 'Canes veteran Chris Foy, taking a break from his jet setting ways, and Foy wasted no time in jumping on the first pitch he saw to drive the ball for a two run single.
Jim Gorman had been pitching well to that point but seemed to lose his confidence after Foy abused that first pitch offering. The Hurricanes sped out to a 9-0 lead. Pitcher Cormac Eklof suffered a bout of wildness in the top of the fifth letting the Mariners back into it at 9-4 but the 'Canes came roaring back with hits from Rafael, Alex, Tommy and Tk amongst others pushing the lead out to 14-4.
The 'Canes offence was paced by a remarkable 5 for 5 outburst off the bat of Woody Woodburne. Woody also came on to pitch taking the ball in the 7th to finish the Mariners off and seal the 14-9 Hurricanes victory.
Now sitting at 3-3 the Hurricanes season is back on track. Next Saturday they have a stern test in the form of the Spartans who are off to a roaring start. For now, the 'Canes can sit back and enjoy their offensive outburst from yesterday, and find out what Woody '5 for 5' Woodburne is on.
Hurricanes 'B' 25 v Greystones 'B' 10
The Hurricanes 'B', or 'baby Canes' as manager for the day Eric 'Vegas' Valkys, was calling them, overcame a very slow start to lead 16-9 after only four innings. Veteran Hurricane starter Garret Pearse had only given up three hits to that stage and had battled to control some early wildness. The 'baby Canes' struck for seven runs in the bottom of the fifth giving them a whopping 23-10 lead which they then stretched to 25-10 meaning the game ended on the 15 run 'mercy rule'. Congratulations to the Hurricanes 'B' squad for putting up such incredible numbers and for winning their second in a row.
Links:
- Everything you needed to know about Baseball Ireland
- The 2007 Irish League preview
- The opening weekend review
If you would like to get involved with Baseball Ireland at any level, Adult or Youth, or would like to support the game in Ireland, please refer to this link.
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