Ghostman on Third: Week 1 Recap!

Well, week 1 of the epic 2011 season is in the record books, and what a wild week it was. We had 9 action packed games at War Memorial, so let's take a look at the results...

Moose Knuckles 7, New Kickheads on the Block 2

Marilee Columbus and the Knuckles

won with style on Wednesday.

A very successful debut for a Moose Knuckles team with a lot of potential. The top of their lineup came out very aggressive in the first inning, and claimed a 5 run lead. They added 2 more in the 2nd inning, and cruised to the victory. While NKotB struggled defensively, they did manage to put a few runs up on the board in the 5th inning. I'm sure their hoping that some of that positive momentum will roll over into their next game... Overall, it was a great first week for Moose Knuckles. Not only did they win their game, but they came in first place in Trici's "Bar Buzz" rankings this week!

Chicken Tetrazzini 5, Battlestar Ballsacktica 1
Battlestar Ballsacktica had some high hopes going into this season, however, Chicken Tetrazzini gave them a reality check on Wednesday. CT's Adam Henry said that his veteran team came out fired up after they felt slighted in the preseason rankings. Reports indicate that Henry actually printed out the rankings and hung it on the bulletin board of the Tetrazzini locker room. The tactic worked, as CT was too much to handle for BB.

Vicious & Delicious 7, Rumspringa 1

Reyes and NoShoes had a lot to smile about after

their dominating victory on opening night.

To say that Rumspringa had high expectations going into this season, is an understatement. One look at Ricky Holmes' facebook photos could have told you that. After earning a final four appearance and nearly advancing to the championship, there was no reason to believe that 'Springa wouldn't be able to compete with the top tiered teams. And that may still be the case going forward, but on the much hyped 4.6.2011, Vicious & Delicious humbled them. VD's experienced and highly talented offense overwhelmed the 'Springa defense in the first inning, scoring four quick runs, including 2 runs kicked in by Jimmy Wilcox. When reached for comment after the game, Holmes said, "We're still knocking the rust off. Most of our team hasn't played together in a few months. VD is ranked as the top team. Combine the two, and there's your result."... Vicious & Delicious showed why many kickball pundits are picking them to win the VA Peninsula league this season with this very impressive victory.

Harry Potter throws a magical kickball pitch against Rumspringa.

Chubby Gangsters 15, Off in the Corner 0

There was lots of smiles on the CG sideline during

their rout of OitC.

Last season, AJ Derr and Jeffrey Scott watched all of the kickball games from the Tiki Bar, while they served us all cold beers. This season, they decided they didn't want to just observe the action, they wanted to be a part of it. They are just a couple of new additions to the Chubby Gangsters this season, and the impact has been seen immediately. The Gangbangers scored 15 runs in only three innings and absolutely slaughtered OitC.

Foul Balls 6, Jiminy Kick-It 5
This was the first game ever for JKI, and they came out strong. You could tell the joint practices they had with Chicken Tetrazzini paid off, as they scored right off the bat in the first inning, which I was lucky enough to capture on camera. But after the hot start, JKI's defensive inexperience cost them greatly, as Foul Balls proceeded to put up 6 runs. JKI would not give up though, as they fought hard, scoring 3 runs in a 5th inning rally. But it would not be enough, as they fell 1 run shy of the epic comeback.

Jagernauts 5, 5 O'Clockers 3
Not much I can add to Justin Littell's excellent (as always) game recap, except I did want to highlight one sequence of pictures that truly capture the awesomeness that is Joe Mazzitti. Check out how he celebrates scoring a run against the Clockers.

The Emperors Club 4, Just For Kicks 1

This was the main event of the evening. I'm not going to spend too much time recapping the rivalry between these two outstanding franchises, because you can just read about it here. But in short, these teams have had some wars on the field in 2010, including match ups in the past two finals. Every time they meet, you know it's going to be a highly competitive game, and this game would be no exception... The game looked good for JFK at first, as the JFK defense blanked the top of the VIP offense in the top of first. Then in the bottom, The Flyin' Frenchman Dr. Jeremy Pinier lead off with a bunt single and advanced to 2nd on a throwing error. After a couple of sacrifices, Pinier scored, and it was 1-0 after the first. But as I said in the Mega Preseason Preview, you aren't going to kill the VIPs that easily, and sure enough, they came back in the 2nd and tied up the game on Keith Best's RKI drive to left center.

Meanwhile, on defense, The Emperors Club locked it up. Ch Anthony "Rocket Laser Cannon" Williams and C Roger Jackson swallowed up the JFK bunts and limited the base runners and the inexperienced outfield came through when JFK attempted to kick away... With the score 1-1 in the 3rd inning, Brent Wentworth (3rd person alert!) singled to get on first. On the following play, George "The Sex Factor" Kiriazidis was thrown out at first, but it was enough to move Wentworth to 3rd. After rookie Erin Welch laid down a perfect bunt to get on, Lori Medford drove in the go ahead run with a bunt that was too difficult for the JFK defense to handle... At that point, the VIPs were firing on all cylinders on offense and defense, and there was no looking back. In the 4th inning, Thomas "Juice" Welch and Phil Barr drove in Williams and Patrick Jones (who was playing with a very painful quad strain) for all the insurance runs The Emperors Club will need... The Emperors Club won the game, but if recent history is any indication, JFK may get another shot at the VIPs in the championship.

Foul Balls 4, Saved by the Balls 2
After the game, SbtB's Allison Hund sent an e-mail recapping the game,

The Balls came crashing out of the gate with a dynamite first inning, scoring their first run within minutes of taking the field. Secret Weapon Trace Ferre, showed off not only his kicking leg but his ability to catch just about anything. Notable plays also by third baseman Dave Chappell, and catcher Trey Jarrett. Pitcher/Captain Jon Hund threw solid innings the entire night. The game was close, so while there may be a stigma attached to Saved By the Balls as an "easy win" but the League should be prepared to meet an entirely different team than HRSSC on the field.

After the game, Mimi Gill and Allison Hund joined forces

at the flip cup table (counter?).

It is a pretty big accomplishment for Saved by the Balls to score in the first inning, considering that it took them nearly a month to score their first run last season. So while the Saved by the Balls didn't make it easy, this game belonged to the Foul Balls, who start out this young season at 2-0. After the game, the Foulies' Nathaniel Johnson wrote a love letter to his new team.

5 O'Clockers 16, Off in the Corner 1

5OC Pitcher Corey Carlyle throws a strike in week 1.

The 5 O'Clockers rebounded from their first loss against Jager by showing no mercy against OitC. The Clockers scored runs in every inning during the rout... One bright spot for the Corners, was the highlight play made by C Kim Koricich. During the game, she made a spectacular diving catch to rob a Clocker of a sure base hit. Could have been the difference in losing 17-1 instead of 16-1... All in all, based on their 0-2 performance in week 1, it appears there will be a lot of beating Off in the Corner on the Peninsula this spring.

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