by Pete

The Beat Clobbers HGA in Summer Opener After a slow start, Beatniks strike fast and hard in 20-1 mercy killing

After a 3-season excursion back in DD, HGA was back in C-league at Jackson #1 on July 28. Obviously all pumped up, they were loud and proud and they batted 12. Their manager was aloof during the lineup card exchange and ready to do battle with The Beat and the umpires once again. HGA was out to prove their 18-month demise was just a fluke. A confident Beat team was ready.

In what was by far the most lopsided margin in C-league action last Saturday, The Beat exploded for 13 runs in the middle innings to turn what originally looked to be a pitcher’s duel into a 20-1 rout before the umps finally called the mercy rule after 6. Donnell (Big Daddy) Moody paced the Beat offense with a home run, double and 3 RBIs on a 4 for 5 day, and Kevin (Special K) Austin allowed only one runner past 2^nd base all game. The supporting defense was airtight. For the first time in our history, the Beatniks crashed 4 home runs, with Jacq and Jacque Wilson clouting 1 dinger apiece in addition to Big Daddy’s blast. Jim (The Thrill) Colletto punctuated the crescendo with a 2-run bomb in the 6th to keep his 33-game hitting streak alive for another day.

In the first two innings, it looked as though it would be another close game. There had been so many between us—mostly ones where we led for most of the game, but HGA would come back to beat us. Not this time. With HGA leading 1-0 after 2 innings of stranded Beat base runners, our quick strike offense came alive.

Following one time around the order, the boys in gray turned the tide. Gunnar Rosenquist led off the 3rd with a single before Jacque Wilson hammered a flat pitch into the gap in left center for an inside-the-park home run and a 2-1 lead. The Cottonmouth King Mark St. Georges grunted out a single up the middle before Donnell (Big Daddy) Moody cranked up and flummoxed another straight pitch deep onto the infield of the next diamond. Just like that it was 4-1. By the time the Beat batted around in the 3^rd, it was 6-1.

While the offense was turning it on, Kevin was in a focused groove and had HGA flailing. Mike (Pizza Man) Weiss was a rock at shortstop for the 2nd straight week, gobbling up whatever was hit his way including a clutch, unassisted double play with runners on 1^st and 2^nd to end the 1^st inning. Pizza was involved in 2 twin-killings on the day and just missed getting a 3^rd.

The Beat batted around again in the 4^th. With a 7-1 lead and JC and Donnell aboard, Jacq Wilson crunched a 3-run shot that kept rising over the left center fielder’s head onto Jackson #2. The Beatniks extended the lead to 13-1 on singles by Luki, Pete, Kev, Pizza Man and Jacque. All HGA could do was argue with the umpires.

After that it was cruise control for The Beat save for several interruptions by HGA manager Robert Finney as he jawed repeatedly with the blues. In addition to Donnell, other offensive standouts included MSG (3 for 5, 3 runs), Jacq (3 for 5, double, 3 runs, 3 RBI), and Kevin (3 for 4, triple, 2 runs, 3 RBI.)

In the day’s other C-7 action, the Rhinos pulled off a stunning 12-10 upset of Nicoya in their final at bat. Catch us next week on August 4 at Jackson #2 against The Other Guys at 12.30pm.

On The BEAT News Archive