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September 15, 2013

NWAMSBL Championship Game @ Arvest Ball Park

2013 NWAMSBL Champions NWA X-Tinct

photo by Charles Fowler

2013 NWAMSBL MVP Brett Reynolds

photo by Charles Fowler

2013 NWAMSBL Runner-UP NWA White Sox

photo by Katherine Taliaferro

White Sox 5  X-Tinct 12

Sunday, it was the Brett Reynolds show at Arvest Ball Park in Springdale, AR.  These two teams did not have a chance to meet in the regular season so it seemed fitting that they meet in the final.  The X-Tinct had dominated league play from start to finish posting a 14-1 record going into the championship game.  The White Sox on the other hand, had struggled at times in the latter half dropping 4 out of 5 games down the stretch, but managed to muster up the personnel and wherewithal to avenge an earlier loss to the Dodgers to advance to Arvest Ball Park.  The White Sox started their hard-throwing guy, Matt Mozzoni.  Mozzoni kept things in relative reach with the score 5-2 going into the 5th inning when the wheels started to come off a bit with X-Tinct 3-hole slugger, Eric Smith roping a triple in the first at-bat of the inning.  The White Sox thought they would get out of the inning on a circus-type double-play started by second baseman, Phil McClure, pickling the runner at home which ended in the first out and then catcher, Jason Christner, relaying back to second starting another pickle on the runner at third for the double-play.  Unfortunately for the Sox and Mozzoni, the next 5 batters reached resulting in three more runs and a big deficit.  In the top of the 6th, the White Sox were down 8-2.  Seth White and Brad Hughes both reached on singles.  White scored on Tim Hooper's RBI single and Andy Miller followed up with a walk.  It looked like the White Sox were going to have "their" inning with a chance to plate three more runs on Chris Huebner's line shot to right, but as fate would tell, the X-Tinct right fielder, who took his first two steps in, somehow turned and leapt for the snow-cone catch to out Huebner and double-up Miller who was running on contact.  It figured to be the last hope for the White Sox despite plating two more runs in the 8th...Reynolds proved too strong striking out the side in the top of the ninth.  Reynolds' winning line was 9inCG, 5R, 5ER, 11H, 3BB, 11K.  Mozzoni's line was 5in, 8R, 5ER, 9H, 4BB, 4K in the losing effort.  Andy Miller, who came in to relieve the last three innings:  3in, 4R, 3ER, 4H, 2BB, HBP, 3K.  Offensively, the X-Tinct were led by Eric Smith (3-4, 3R, 2B, 3B, RBI), and Kasey Campbell (3-4, 2R, 3B, HR, BB, 4RBI).  The White Sox were led offensively by Seth White (3-4, 2R, RBI), Brad Hughes (2-3, R, BB), and Albert Swann (2-4, R, 2K).  --Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox

7632 Team 9   8541 Team 11

The 2013 All Star game was turning into a bit of a blow-out with both teams using a "pitcher-an-inning" the 8541 Team had the upper hand stymieing their opponents to the tune of an 11-2 lead going into the 8th inning.  Of course, because both teams were batting their entire roster of 15 and 14, respectively, it was difficult for anyone to get into any sort of groove.  The crippled old-man League President, Stephen Boudreaux, took the mound in the bottom of the 8th inning with his knuckleball and held the upper team without an additional run despite letting the bases be loaded.  His team mate, Brad Hughes, videotaped his walk off the mound predicting his, "last pitch ever"  as Boudreaux shouted, "Let's hit until we win!"  In the top of the 9th inning, the lower team plated 7 runs to get the score to 11-9.  With 2 outs, former league president and 50-year-old Dodger, Don Prim, smashed a single to left to keep the streak alive.  Now, with two runners in scoring position, Cardinal veteran, David Thral, a mere 54-years-young, roped a line drive to left field off Wingnut pitcher, Jeremy Englehardt and it looked like the game would be tied with one out to spare...but the left fielder managed to snare the liner and end the threat and the game.  The field was immaculate and the weather conditions were special-ordered.  The real benefit to having the All-Star game in this format is that league members are given the opportunity to be team mates for a day and build camaraderie.  I fielded a good dozen offerings of "thanks" for that very benefit which goes well beyond the surface opportunity to play at such an amazing facility as the AA NWA Naturals' Arvest Ball Park.   Kind of hard to find offensive standouts with rarely a batter getting more than two at-bats in a nine-inning game, but for the 7632 Team, Matt Garza from the Dodgers (2-2, R, 2B, HBP, RBI, SB).  For the 8541 Team, Kyle Cherry from the Orioles (3-3,R, BB, 2B, RBI). --Stephen Boudreaux, President

September 9, 2013

Congratulations to the 2013 NWAMSBL All-Stars!  Come see Team 8541 vs Team 7632 Sunday, September 15th at Arvest Ball Park at around 3:30pmCST following the 2013 NWAMSBL Championship Game.  Here are your 2013 All Stars:

September 8, 2013

Congratulations to the X-Tinct and the White Sox for advancing to the 2013 NWAMSBL Championship Game at Arvest Ball Park on September 15th at 12:30pmCST. 

Playoffs Rounds 1 and 2

Wingnuts 8  X-tinct 17
This game was would've been a win for the Wingnuts if it weren't for the first 3 innings, but as we know all innings count. The X-tinct seemed to make hitting the ball off the fence or over it effortless. The score at the end of 3 was 16-2. After the 3rd Jim Bob Tackett stopped the bleeding allowing only 1 run and 1 hit in his 3 innings of relief. The scoring started for the Nuts in the 3rd with Andrew McMurray leading off with a single and later scored after Marc DeWeese walked and his pinch runner got into a run down. Dan Motz singled up the middle and stole 2nd. Jeremy Engelhardt was at the plate and sent another ball up the middle and Motz was not going to be denied scoring as he slid in safely and Engelhardt moved to second on the throw home. The Nuts struck again in the 5th. With 1 out DeWeese punched a single back through the box. Shay Melton stole second and was moved over to 3rd on a Motz single. Motz took second in Engelhardt's at bat. Engelhardt delivered a 2 RBI single and made the score 16-4. In the 6th Brian Watson led off with a walk and stole 2nd. Tackett then put a ball into right field scoring Watson from 2nd. RJ Straubing ran for Tackett and stole 2nd. Joey Dawes pinch hit for DeWeese and pounded the ball into the ground and on a high hop beat the throw out on an error and Straubing scored from second on the error. Dawes later scored on passed balls. The score after 6 was now 17-7. The Wingnuts were able to scratch another run across on a Paul Thornton double into the gap in right center. Thornton scored on a passed ball after another passed ball allowed him and Straubing to advance to 2nd and 3rd. That ended the scoring for the Nuts. This was a MUCH improved season for the Wingnuts going 7-11 overall. A far better record than 1-16 in 2012. "I'm very proud of this team and how well we improved and were in several games that we lost. I look forward to seeing what this team does next year!" This team will continue to work and improve over the off season. Jim Bob Tackett is the player of the game for the Nuts as he shut the X-tinct down in his 3 innings on the bump. Motz 2-4(2R,RBI,SB) Engelhardt 2-4(2RBI) Thornton 1-4(2B,R) Straubing 3-4(R,2SB) Pongonis 1-2(2B) Tackett 1-1(R,RBI) Joey Dawes 1-2(R,2RBI) McMurray 1-2(R) Shay Melton 1-2(R) DeWeese 1-1(R,BB,SB) --Marc DeWeese, Wingnuts

Rd1  Cardinals 5  White Sox 18

Rd 2  White Sox 6  Dodgers 2

The White Sox and Cardinals had just played each other a week ago and each knew the others' strengths and weaknesses.  We knew the Cardinals could hit and gave up 10 runs to them the last time.  What we could not guarantee is whether we could just simply out-score them to emerge victorious.  The Sox offense has been up-and-down this season.  Fortunately, the offense showed up again in fine form led by old-school new-comer, Brad Hughes (3-4, 2R, 2RBI), and work-horse, Albert Swann (3-3, 4R, 2B, 2BB, 4RBI), and Seth White (3-4, 5RBI, 2B, BB, K), and Jason Christner (2-4, 3R, 3RBI, HR, HBP).  Maybe most importantly was the work of starting pitcher, Chris Huebner and reliever, Dustin Wilson.  Combined their line was pretty solid (7inn, 5R, 4ER, 9H, 0BB, 3K, HBP...only 31 total plate appearances.)

The Dodgers beat the White Sox on a make-up Wednesday night game and as they were the #2 seed, we were quite a bit nervous going into this one.  Mostly in the form of our pitching and the Dodgers middle-of-the-order which featured Matt Garza who is one of the most pure hitters the league has seen in some years.  The last time we faced the Dodgers, we spotted them 6 runs in the first third inning of the game.  Seth White stymied the Dodgers in his 2 2/3 innings that previous game, so we thought it best to give him the start.  Seth proved stellar on this day as well (3inn, 1R, 1ER, 4H, K, BB) but left the game with the Dodgers up 1-0.  The White Sox left the bases loaded in the first with no outs and failed to score.  Two runners left on in the second.  One runner left on in the third...something had to give.  It was a "Sox inning" in the fourth with a single by Brad Huges, a rare walk by Stephen Boudreaux, and then a RBI double by Chris Huebner to tie the score at 1.  Mike Lopez scored Boudreaux on a single and Jason Christner drove in Huebner and Lopez on his base hit to the gap.  The Sox tacked on two more runs in the 5th and 6th frames to push the final score to 6-2.  Andy Miller, who has turned into this season's "ace" took it the rest of the way the last four innings with a great effort to keep that dangerous middle-of-the-order to only two meaningless hits (an RBI single by Eric Exner in the fourth and a double by Sergio Hernandez in the sixth) to earn the win.  Miller gave up only one other hit in four innings which was an infield pop fly in the 7th that landed between three fielders who all thought they "had it" for the final out of the game.  This was unfortunate for Dustin Wilson as the next batter fouled off his first pitch over the back stop and directly into Wilson's windshield shattering it like it seemed the Sox hopes were given the nature of it all.  As fortune goes, the fielder who made the deciding call on the dropped fly ball (Albert Swann) stayed true to his otherwise great defensive form and completed the 6-4 play on the batter's next pitch to end the game.  Offensive highlights from game 2:  Mike Lopez (2-3, R, 2RBI, BB, K), Tim Hooper (2-4, R), and Brad Hughes (3-4, R, RBI).--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox.

August 28, 2013

White Sox 18  Cardinals 10

The Sox hadn't figured out how to rebound until tonight.  Got some of our regulars back despite still missing a couple and I think that helps.  Having Tim Hooper and Seth White in the lineup shores up our outfield by tons and they both contribute at the plate.  Pitching has been suspect lately in the Sox skid, but things settled down a bit tonight despite giving up a collective 10 runs to the solid-hitting Cardinals.  Most of the damage came early against starter, Chris Huebner, who gave up 5 runs in the first and left with the score tied.  Huebner has been worn to bits lately trying to carry the pitching load.  He will get some much needed rest this next week and a half.  Seth White came in for the next three innings holding the Cardinals to just two runs, but it was Matt Mozzoni who came back to true form over the next 5 innings with a line:  5inn, 3R, 2ER, 6H (scattered), 1BB, 0HBP, 10K.  Offensively...Andy Miller (3-3, 1R, RBI, 3B, BB), Matt Mozzoni (2-3, 1R, 2RBI, 3B), Tim Hooper (2-4, 4RBI, K), Jason Christner (3-4, 2R, 2RBI, BB), Brad "Sleeves" Hughes (3-5, 1R, RBI), and Matt Villines making a cool comeback at the plate (2-2, RBI, SB).  The White Sox face these same Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs and had better keep their dangerous bats cold or the outcome could be much different.--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox

August 24-25, 2013

Orioles 8  Royals 4

Royals 12  Orioles 17

On a hot humid Saturday afternoon the Orioles defense was the key to both games despite the 3-8 record the Royals are a team that can score quickly, this is also a team that can come out of nowhere and catch you with your guard down we played good defense and the bats did enough to get the job done. Game 1 final score Orioles 8 Royals 4 the second game Orioles 17 Royals 12.--Reggie Smith, Orioles

White Sox 16 Wingnuts 3
Wingnuts 16 White Sox 8
In the first game of the double header the White Sox, like any good team, exploited the weakness of the Wingnuts. On an 18 man roster for the Wingnuts they were only able to field 7 rostered players. It is very disappointing to have this happen at the end of the season, but the games must go on! The Nuts offense was semi stagnant scattering 9 hits. Defensively the Wingnuts were no where near full strength and the Sox took advantage of that. The first score for the Nuts came with 2 outs in the 3rd when a double by Jeremy Englehardt scored Victor Pongonis from second. The Wingnuts did not muster up any offense again until the bottom of the 6th when Joey Dawes hit a 2 out double to centerfield that brought in Jim Bob Tackett and Marc DeWeese. That was all the scoring the Nuts could come up with. Engelhardt 2-3 (RBI,BB) Tackett 1-3 (RBI) DeWeese 2-3 (R,BB) Pongonis 2-3 (R,SB) Joey Dawes 1-1 (2B,2 RBI)
The second game was a game that the Wingnuts needed for a possible move up in seeding for the playoffs. It would be a stretch to move up, but the Nuts were going to give it their all. In the top of the first the Wingnuts jumped out in front 1-0 on a walk by Dan Motz, a ground rule double by Joe Don Dawes, and then Motz scoring on a wild pitch. The Wingnuts extended their lead to 4-0 in the top of the 2nd. Victor Pongonis singled, RJ Straubing walked, and Motz singled to load the bases and set the table. Jeremy Engelhardt singled and sored Pongonis. Joe Don came to the plated scorched a double into the right center gap which brought home Straubing and Motz. The Nuts kept the hit parade going into the 3rd. Marc DeWeese started the inning with a walk followed by a Pongonis single to right. Joey Dawes hit a double to the centerfield that was able to score DeWeese from second and Pongonis from first. Straubing singled and hustling all the way home was Joey Dawes. Motz singled and moved Straubing over to second and was able to score on passed balls. Engelhardt was able to steal 2nd and then came around on two wild pitches. At the end of the 3rd the score was 9-0 nuts. Joey Dawes' 3 innings of work produced a line of 0H 3BB 4K 0R. He had it going on the mound today, the battery unit were in sync, the defense was very solid behind him, and the offense allowed him to stay comfortable. The Sox got on the board in the 4th plating 3 making the score 9-3. Dan Motz doubled to lead off the 5th and was able to score on a sacrifice and a wild pitch making it 10-3. Joe Don Dawes kept the Sox offense at bay in the 5th and 6th. In the 6th DeWeese got the offense started again with a walk. Pongonis and Joey Dawes singled to load the bases. Straubing lined a single off the 3rd base bag and kicked into foul ground allowing DeWeese and Pongonis to come across. Runners were at 1st and 2nd when Motz singled and loaded the bases again. Joey finished off the scoring again on a wild pitch. After 6 the score was 13-3. Jim Bob Tackett led off the 7th with a single over a diving shortstop. He stole 2nd and then scored on a double by Chance Kipness. After DeWeese was robbed on a line drive on a great play by 3rd baseman Hughes, Pongonis doubled in Kipness. Pongonis advanced to third on a wild pitch and then Straubing singled him home. The score was 16-3 going into the bottom of the 7th when the Sox were able to get a rally going scoring 5 runs in the bottom half, but the Nuts were able to shut it down before it got too out of hand. Joe Don picked up his 2nd win of the season with a final line of 4 innings 9H 5BB 8R 6ER 2K. This game was a total team effort and everyone on the team deserves players of the game. The Most Outstanding Players of the game were Victor Pongonis and Joey Dawes. Motz 4-5 (3R,2RBI,2B,BB,2SB) Engelhardt 1-2 (R,RBI,BB,3SB) Joe Don 3-4 (2RBI,2 2B,BB) Tackett 1-5 (R,SB) Kipness 2-5 (R,RBI,2B) DeWeese 1-3 (2R,RBI,SB) Pongonis 5-5 (4R,3RBI) Joey Dawes 3-5 (2R,3RBI,2B) Straubing 2-3 (2R,2RBI,2BB)--Marc DeWeese, Wingnuts

August 21, 2013

Wingnuts 9  Browns 15
This was a very disappointing loss for the Wingnuts for they handed the win to the Browns. The night started off very well for the Nuts as RJ Straubing brought home Jeremy Engelhardt after he had doubled. After Shay Melton walked Andrew McMurray hit a ball opposite field for a double over the right fielders head scoring Straubing and Melton. The lead was short lived at 3-0 as the Browns pushed across 6 runs in the bottom of the 1st. The Wingnuts cut the lead to 6-4 in the 2nd as Engelhardt roped a doubled down the 3rd base line scoring Dan Motz. The Wingnuts offense kept it going in the top of the 3rd as Straubing led off with a single and a Melton double. Marc DeWeese brought them both in as he laced a single over the 2nd baseman's head tying the game at 6. After DeWeese stole 2nd Jake Norton hit a double to the gap in right center scoring DeWeese. A Motz single advanced Norton to 3rd. Engelhardt again came through again by pounding a ball past third into left field plating Norton. This made the score 8-6 Wingnuts after 3 innings. The Nuts made the score 9-6 after 3 singles by Norton, Engelhardt, and Chance Kipness and the Kipness single scored Norton in the 5th. The Nuts held that lead until the bottom of the 5th where the night took a bad turn of events. The Wingnuts were able to get two quick outs and then the adventure in the error and walk kingdom started. After a pop up for the should of been 3rd out landed between 1st and 2nd, 2 errors and 5 walks allowed the Browns to score 4 runs. The inning came to an end with DeWeese chasing down a ball that was a laser headed to the right center gap that would have cleared the bases. Both teams were shocked that the catch was made with as hard and as far into the gap the ball was hit.The damage had been done but the Wingnuts still had enough time to make it up. The score was 11-9 Browns at that point. Both offenses went unseen for 3 innings until the Browns were able put a 4 spot in the bottom of the 8th extending the lead to 15 to 9. In the top of the 9th with two outs the baseball gods had made their decision that a Wingnuts come back was not going to be and they turned on the sprinklers. Motz 3-4(R,SB) Engelhardt 3-5(R,RBI,2 2B,SB) Kipness 2-5 (RBI) Straubing 2-5(2R,RBI) Melton 1-4 (2B,2R) McMurray 2-5(2RBI,2 2B) DeWeese 1-3(R,2RBI,2BB,SB) Norton 1-4(R,RBI,2B,HBP) ---Marc DeWeese, Wingnuts

August 17-18, 2013

Browns 9  White Sox 8

White Sox 12  Browns 18

The White Sox have lost three straight for the first time since 2009.  The White Sox scored 24 runs in three games and still lost.  One common denominator in those three losses is that starting pitchers only threw a total of 2 innings in three games (1/3, 2/3, and 1).  Going to have to get these guys healthy if the White Sox stand ANY chance of a playoff run...  The Browns can hit the ball for sure and so can the Dodgers with balls compelled to the middle of the zone, but equally important to fix are some untimely errors or misplayed balls on defense.  Even a couple of base-running gaffs can kill rallies.  There were a few bright spots like Seth White's 5-7 day at the plate and Chris Huebner's continued offense (3-4, 2R, 2B, 2RBI, BB, SAC).  The Sox used 7 pitchers on the day (a new record) and only Andy Miller seemed to have much success (4in, 1R, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 3K), but still was saddled with the loss in game one giving up the tie-break go-ahead run in the 6th.  Most important for the White Sox is that we have to fix our attitudes down to the player.  As my wife reminded me today after I called her moping following the loss, "You got to play baseball today, didn't you?"  She's absolutely right.  Losing always sucks especially when you are competitive, but the sheer joy of having the opportunity to (still) play the greatest game outweighs any of that pain.  Even writing this report at 1:00am, her words are resonating and each soreness in this old man's body is a "good-kinda-soreness."  There is no blame to be levied.  The opponent won fair enough.  It's not BUNWA's fault, it's not my teammates' fault...heck...it's not even MY fault.  We lost.  Shut yer mouth, kick some dirt and get me back in that batter's box ASAP! --Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox

Wingnuts 6 Orioles 4
Orioles 18 Wingnuts 6
It was a beautiful day for baseball in Bentonville for a change! The field started with a puddle of water in the right hand batter's box and some mud around first base to start the game but by games end the players and the sun helped get rid of those obstacles in what was a very clean and competitive start to the day. The Wingnuts jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning only to have the Orioles answer right back with a pair in their half tying it up. The Orioles took the lead in the 4th by plating 2 making the score 4-2. The Orioles pitcher kept the Nuts at bay until the top of the 6th inning when Chance Kipness busted out of his slump in a big way by hitting a towering 2 run shot to left to tie the game at 4's. The Wingnuts took the lead on a RBI single by Dan Motz scoring Jeremy Engelhardt from 2nd. In the top of the 7th Steven Stapleton placed a seeing eye single between short and 3rd knocking in Joe Don Dawes and pushing the Nuts lead to 6-4. Jeremy Engelhardt finished off the game picking up his 3rd win of the season. Shay Melton was outstanding on the mound in his 3 innings of work striking out 6 and allowing 2 runs. Jeremy Englehardt was very good as well going the remaining 4 innings striking out 4 and allowing 1 earned run. Dan Motz 2-4(RBI,2B), Joe Don Dawes 2-4(R,SB), Steve Stapelton 1-1(RBI), Joey Dawes 1-1(R), Chance Kipness 1-4(HR,2RBI,R), Andrew McMurray 1-2(R), Mandar Thackur 1-1(RBI), Jeremy Engelhardt 2-3(R,RBI).
The second game was close through 5 innings but after that it went slightly down hill for the Wingnuts after that. All of the offense for the Wingnuts came from 3 players which will hardly ever win a game. The Orioles hurler kept dealing all the way through and the Nuts just could not sustain any offense. It was 6-4 after 5 and then the combination of bad defense and Orioles opportunistic hitting in the 6th allowed the Orioles to plate 10 runs making the score 16-4 and for all intensive purposes the game was out of reach. We have come back from huge deficits before, but in this game it just wasn't in the cards. Dan, Joe Don, and Chance all went 3-4 each totaling 5R, 6RBI, 3 Doubles, and 3 stolen bases. ---Marc DeWeese Wingnuts MGR

August 14, 2013

August 10-11, 2013

18+ Championship Game

Red Rockets 0  NWACC Eagles 15

Official game report to follow...

The 2013 NWAMSBL 18+ Division Champions NWACC Eagles

2013 NWAMSBL 18+ Division MVP, Levi Schroeder

August 3-4, 2013

Wingnuts 14  Royals 13

 Royals 8  Winguts 4
The Wingnuts came into the weekend looking to extend their recent win steak. As with what has become common over the past few weeks, the Nuts were only able to get 9 guys for the first came and 10 for the second of the 18 man roster. Just as last year the Royals proved to be a challenge with a young gun on the mound the first game. Even though the score doesn’t reflect it the Nuts offense was held off until the 5th inning when down 10-1 the offense was started with a 3B by Jeremy Engelhardt and ending with a 3 run shot by Joe Don, leading to 12 runs with everyone scoring at least once. Jim came on in relief to pitch and allow the Nuts to complete the amazing comeback. In the field Mandar was Mr. Johnny on the spot with multiple catches in the outfield.
The second game of the double dip didn’t go the way the Nuts expected as the Royals defense tightened up and made some timely double plays to shut down any chance of a big inning. The pitching on both sides was great with both pitchers going the distance. The Royals were able to find just the right spots on the field to place hits and it was a close game most of the way. This brought the Nuts 5 game win streak to a stop. Wingnuts are still improving and looking to get better.-Jeremy Engelhardt, Wingnuts

July 27-28, 2013

Wingnuts 11  Red Rockets 7

Red Rockets 13  Wingnuts 18
It was a very complete game for the Wingnuts in the first of two today at White River Park in Fayetteville. The Nuts jumped out to a 6 run lead in the first half inning. Jeremy Engelhardt walked to start the game and then on back 2 back doubles from Paul Thornton and RJ Straubing which plated 2 runs and from there the Wingnuts were off and running. A single from Chance Kipness plated another run. After a Marc DeWeese walk, a single by Andrew McMurray plated Kipness. Steve Hudson finalized the scoring pushing across 2 runs on a single and was thrown out on a bang bang play at 2nd. The Nuts were up 6-4 after 1 full inning. The Nuts then scored 4 more runs in the top of the 2nd on doubles from Straubing and DeWeese. 10-4 after two. Paul Thornton was very sharp all game long allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 5 in his 5 innings of work. The score was 11-5 going into the bottom of the 6th where the Rockets were able to put up 2 runs making the score 11-7 as Jim Bob Tackett finished the game out with 2 innings 1 earned run and 2 K's to get the save. Thornton moves to 1-0 on the season. Engelhardt (1-2 R, 2BB, SB) Thornton (3-4 3R, 2 2B, RBI) Straubing (3-4 2R, 4RBI, 2 2B) Kipness (2-3 2R, RBI, 2SB, HBP) DeWeese (1-1 2B, 3RBI, 2BB, HBP) Hudson (3-3 2RBI). Thornton, Straubing, Kipness, and Hudson all are deserving of players of the game, but Paul Thornton is given the honor with his performance on the bump and at the plate.
The second game of the double header was a test of will between the 2 teams. Jeremy Engelhardt led of the game with a shot off the batters eye putting the score at 1-0 after one. The Rockets tied it in the top of the second, but the Nuts took the lead back by Marc DeWeese walking and stealing 2nd, Andrew McMurray walking, and then Jim Bob Tackett knocking them in with a long single. This made the score 3-1 after two. The Rockets tied it up in the top half of the 3rd on a 2 run homer. WIngnuts scored 3 in the bottom of the 3rd on a bases loaded double by Tackett to make it 6-3 Wingnuts. The lead was cut to 6-5 after 3 1/2. In the bottom of the frame the extended the lead to 7-5. It was 10-6 after 5. The Rockets took the lead 11-10 after scoring 6 in the top of the 6th. In the bottom of the 6th Paul Thornton blasted a shot over the left centerfield boards to tie the game up. Then a walk and hit by pitch parade insued after a single by RJ Straubing. After Chance Kipness and DeWeese were both hit to load the bases. 2 runs scored on back to back walks. Then Brian Watson went oppo with a double down the right field line to score McMurray and Tackett. Mandar Thackur ended the scoring by knocking in Watson with a RBI single to right field. The score after 6 full was 18-11. It may not show in the score, but Engelhardt pitched very well into the 6th inning allowing 4 earned runs in 5 and a 1/3. Tackett pitched the last inning and 2/3 allowing 2 earned runs. Engelhardt (5-5 3R, 2RBI, 2B, HR) Victor Pongonis (2-3 RBI) Thornton (2-3 HR, RBI) Straubing (3-3 2R) Tackett (2-3 6RBI) Watson (2-4 2 2B, 3RBI) Thackur (1-2 R,RBI). The players of this game are Jeremy Engelhardt and Jim Bob Tackett for both their pitching and hitting. ---Marc DeWeese Wingnuts

White Sox 9  Orioles 7

Orioles 2  White Sox 4

Of course, I enjoy winning as much as the next guy, but with regard to baseball, I am not a fan of high scoring affairs and big blowouts.  I love a close game and tough competition.  The White Sox/Orioles matchup this weekend was good stuff.  Despite a few errors scattered about, there was great pitching and clutch hitting on both sides.  In game one, the Oriole middle-of-the-order was stellar going 8-14 with 5 doubles led by Lance Perrin with 3-3 3@2B!  Going to have to put a stop to that next time if the Sox stand any chance.  The White Sox were equal to the task with some key performances by Dustin Wilson (2-4, 2R, 3RBI, 2 HR, 2K), Albert Swann (3-4, 2R, RBI, SB), and Jason Christner (2-3, R, RBI, 2B).  Chris Huebner got another start and maintained the damage, but had to age out with the game still in question.  Phil McClure took over on the hill and despite the Oriole onslaught, his numbers were good enough to hold on for the win (4inn, 2R, 0ER, 5H, 2BB, 1HBP, 2K).  Key moments of the game with the White Sox with the game tied at 6 going into the 5th inning...Andy Miller gets on with a single and Jason Christner moves him over to third with a double.  Stephen Boudreaux plates the go-ahead run with a SAC fly to deep center.  The Orioles plate an unearned run in the bottom of the 5th to make it a one-run game.  Dustin Wilson closes the door on the Orioles with a two-run homer in the top of the 6th.  The Orioles threatened in the bottom of the 7th, but Chris Huebner's stellar cross-body zip from third to first to get Mike Cherry (who was 3-3 up to that point) to end the game was a dugout clearer for the White Sox.

Game two was a different sort of game with excellent pitching performances by both sides with the White Sox staff of Dustin Wilson and Andy Miller besting the stalwart Oriole aces, Lance Perrin and Trent Fonville..  Wilson got the start and pitched a line; 4inn, 2R, 1ER, 3H, 5BB (uncharacteristic), 1HBP, 4K enough to get the win leaving the game with a 3-2 lead.  But it was an astonishing power performance by Andy Miller to get the save.  Miller's line was 3inn, 0R, 0ER, 2H, 1BB, 0HBP, 6K.  Reducing the doubles count by the Orioles from 5 to 2 was a great improvement and the Oriole midde-of-the-order this time was 2-13 with 0 doubles.  That's a great adjustment for our pitching staff.  And 10Ks on a team like that is awesome.  The White Sox offense was lead by Chris Huebner (3-3, R, 2@2B), Brad Hughes (2-2, R, 2RBI), and Seth White (hitting in the 11-hole!) (1-2, RBI)--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox

July 20-21, 2013

Dodgers 21  Orioles 10

Orioles 7  Dodgers 6

Not a good start to Sundays doubleheader on a warm and very humid day. We jumped to an early lead in the first game, mistakes began to pile up quickly. We played a Dodgers team that will capitalize on mistakes, along with timely hitting and good defense they took the lead and never looked back the final score in the first game Dodgers 21 Orioles 10. The second game much better defense Lance Perrin hit three homers in this game one of the homers being a key 3 run shot that gave us a 7-2 lead, the Dodgers again capitalizing on a couple of mistakes got four runs back to come within one but Lance Perrin comes in, and the defense stepped up when needed the most and was able to hold on for a 7-6 win. Trent Fonville got the start in the second game notching his second win of the season.--Reggie Smith- Orioles

Royals 4  Cardinals 2
Cardinals 13  Royals 12

Game one was all about the pitching but the Royals staff proved to be better allowing the Cardinals to score one run in the fourth and fifth inning. Jacob Tipton threw his best game on the season but without offensive help it's hard to get the win. No one for the Cardinals had more than one hit for the game but Shawn Teeters did hit a homer. The second game ended up being completely different. Clay Fecht started on the mound for the Cardinals. He gave up one run then had to be removed in the 4th inning due to hitting 4 Royals with slow curve balls. Typical for the Cardinals 17 man roster they were short players leaving only a few pitching options. To the delight of their manager Shawn Teters came on in relief and finished the game. Shawn has always had good stuff but control issues and a missed season has keeped him off the hill for the past three years. Having Shawn available should give a big boost to the Cardinals short handed pitching staff. Offensively Neal Skelton went 1-4 with a home run, Gary Miller 3-3 with a double, and Sam Stokes 1-3 with a double but hit the ball hard each plate appearance.

July 13-14, 2013

2013 NWACC Eagles Baseball Club

Dodgers 7  Cardinals 4
Cardinals 5  Dodgers 6
The Cardinals offense got off to a slow start, not plating a run until the 6th inning. We tried to get a rally going but it was to late. Jacob Tipton, Clay Fecht, and Jack Richardson all pitched well but it takes the entire team to pull off a "w". Neal Skelton and Matt Price led the Cardinals offense going a combined 4-5, if would have been nice for them to have had more at bats but we struggled getting through the line-up. The Dodgers played as expected giving up very few walks and defensively made the easy plays. The second game was much the same notable standouts were Junior Zuniga and Allen Burchette both going 3-3.

Red Rockets 9 Wingnuts 10

Wingnuts 15 Red Rockets 4
This was a game where the Wingnuts had to keep chipping away at a come back as they found themselves down 8-5 after 4 innings of play. The Nuts led 2-1 after 1 inning. Up 5-4 after 2 innings on a 2 RBI double by Joe Don Dawes and a RBI single by Chance Kipness. The Red Rockets Plated 4 in the top of the fourth to take the 8-5 lead. The Wingnuts were able to tie the game up in the bottom of the 5th with a 2RBI triple from Kipness and a RBI single from Marc DeWeese. Wingnuts got a 2 RBI single to right field from DeWeese in the bottom of the 6th to give the Nuts the 10-8 lead. Jeremy Engelhardt and the defense kept the Rockets at bay from the 5th to the top of the top of the 7th. The Rockets closed the gap to 10-9 in the top of the 7th. Jeremy Engelhardt went the distance for the CG win. Dan Motz (1-3 2R), Jeremy Engelhardt (1-3 2R), Joe Don Dawes (2-2 3R, 4RBI, 2 2B), RJ Straubing (1-2 2R), Chance Kipness (2-4 R, 2RBI, 3B), Marc DeWeese (2-4 3RBI, SB). Player of the game was Joe Don Dawes.
The second game of the double header was an offensive show put on by the Nuts. The Rockets took a 1-0 lead after one. Then the Nuts tied it up in the top of the second on a RBI single by Dan Motz. Wingnuts plated 4 runs with RBI singles from RJ Straubing, Chance Kipness, Andrew McMurray, and Anthony Dewater pushing the lead to 5-1 after 3. Joe Don Dawes came to the plate with Jeremy Engelhardt on first promptly laced a homerun over the right field fence making it a 7-1 game. The Nuts plated 1 more in the inning pushing the lead to 8-1 after 4 innings. In the top of the 6th, the Wingnuts got a double from Straubing and a walk from Marc DeWeese and both scored on a triple from McMurray extending the lead to 10-1. The Red Rockets pushed across 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th closing it to 10-4. The Nuts didn't let off the throttle scoring 5 more runs in the top of the 7th inning making the final score 15-4 after all was said and done. Joe Don threw another CG for the Wingnuts W. Dawes also went 2-4 w/ 3 runs, 5 RBI, 2B, HR, and a SB. Kipness went 3-4 scoring 3 times, knocking in 2, w/ 2 doubles a 5 SB. Those 2 players are co-players of the game. Engelhardt (3-5 2R), Straubing (3-5 3R, RBI, 2B), McMurray (1-4 R, 3RBI, 3B).--Marc DeWeese, Wingnuts

White Sox 19  Royals 2 (5 in)

Royals 8  White Sox 20

It was a stellar weather day for baseball at the new Farmington Sports Complex.  I really like this facility and hope we can continue this relationship with them and start to incorporate some field prep.  Once we chewed up the hardened infield a bit with our spikes, the playing surface was pretty good.  The porch and outfield are both short (in a typical Farmington way), but it played well.  The Royals pulled one of our tricks and showed up a little short-handed, but we saw a lot of familiar faces including a few of the old Cubs.   Being the returning league champions, the Royals commanded our respect regardless and glad we got the games in.  Chris Huebner got the game one start as is becoming par and he did not disappoint going 3in, 2R, 0ER, 2H, 0BB, 2HBP, 5K good enough to earn a win in a run-rule shortened game.  The Royals sent Jacob Koch to the hill and he has historically given the White Sox fits.  Seth White set the tone of the day by stroking a solid double to the fence on the second pitch of the game.  Phil McClure plated White on a SAC fly to go up 1-0.  I predicted a tough game the rest of the way until Andy Miller started the 2nd inning with a home run, Stephen
Boudreaux took a rare walk and he and Jason Christner scored on Huebner's double and by the third inning, it was over with the Sox plating the first 9 batters of the inning.  Final 19-2.  Phil McClure and Dustin Wilson close out the game on the mound not giving up a run or walk on only 2 hits.  Stats get kinda gaudy from that point on so I will move on to game two...

Rookie Caleb Kelley gets the ball for the start of game two just as the Royals started getting a little more comfortable at the plate.  But Kelley kept them at bay striking out 3 over 2 innings and only giving up 2ER.  The game was 5-3 White Sox after three innings, but the White Sox onslaught was coming again as everyone in the dugout was having a great time almost in spite of the game.  It's the best part about MSBL baseball and the real reason I show up for every game despite the required sacrifices on time, energy, finances, and health.  The Royals started Tom Cisar on the hill and he pitched well until the start of the second inning.  Boudreaux (I'm using the third person here) started it off with an even more rare double and after the bases were loaded behind him, second year (ever) man, Nick Coe got an HBP RBI which is awesome.  Seth White also got an HBP RBI, Tim Hooper followed with a fielder's choice and Jason Christner cleaned the bases with a double.  The Royals turned to old Cub, Justin Ledbetter (who is a hard-throwing baller who plays a mean short stop for a guy his size), but the Sox weren't done hitting and put up 11 runs on him before the day was done. Final 20-8. For this game, Seth White (2-2, 3RBI, 2B, HR, 2HBP), Stephen Boudreaux (3-5, 3R, 2@2B), Albert Swann (2-2, 4R, BB, 2HBP-a nasty hematoma on his forearm), Patrick Taliaferro (3-5, 3R, 4RBI, 2@2B, K) and most impressively, on the entire day, Chris Huebner (6-7, 2R, 11RBI, 2@2B, 3B coming off the bench).  I am fairly sure that the Royals, like last season, will come back at the end of the year with a completely different squad that we saw today and challenge for the title again.  Just hoping the White Sox keep up the fun and camaraderie. --Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox

X-Tinct 7  Orioles 10

Orioles 3  X-Tinct 5

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon with temps in the low 80's two teams got together to play a doubleheader, the X-Tinct came into Sundays game 3-0 and the Orioles came in at 3-1 the O's bats was getting it done, but the always high powered X-Tinct/Pirates had some fireworks of there own, but Lance Perrin as time went on became stronger going the distance notching a very crucial win at this stage of the season final score Orioles 10 X-Tinct 7. The second game we faced the ex-mizzou tiger Brett Reynolds, the guy can bring the heat, along with a very nasty slider, with the combination of Chris Gatlin, and Trent Fonville we were able to hold the high powered offense to 5 runs. Then Brett Reynolds turn the lights out with the final score being 5-3 Brett Reynolds of course went the distance. Both teams have a great pitching staff and in my opinion will make a deep playoff run.--Reggie Smith- Orioles

(X-Tinct perspective)
Solid pitching and defense hand X-Tinct first loss of the year. The Orioles left-handed ace kept the offense off balance the entire game, and the X-Tinct defense did not help it's cause. I'm not sure how many errors we had, but it had to be close to the number of runs we scored. Coupled with timely hitting by the Orioles and that's a loss waiting to happen. That's all I have to say about that.
It was a sight for sore eyes; seeing Brett Reynolds take the mound for the first time since week 1. Reynolds didn't disappoint, getting 11 K's in 7 innings. Josh Vanderpool was also back in the lineup after holding out a week for a better contract. Whatever the agreement was, it must have made him happy as he added another HR to his total. The bottom of the lineup came through for the X-Tinct in the top of the 5th when Kevin Hare lead off with a double and quickly scored when the next batter Corey Campbell singled. Campbell was moved to 3rd on a good piece of hitting by Chris Thorton, two batters later, Dylan Brooks drew a walk and both he and Campbell scored on an Eric Smith single. That gave Reynolds enough of a lead to close out the game and that he did. The Orioles have a fine team, and were fun to compete against. The X-Tinct will play the always tough White Sox next week. Dennis Marshall -- X-Tinct

June 28-29, 2013

Cardinals 0  Royals 4
Cardinals 7  Royals 6
Game one was a pitching dual. The Royals guns Nick and Christian proved to much for the Cardinals shutting them out. Jacob Tipton threw a solid 6 inning but without any offense, what could he do.
For game two the Cardinals put veteran Keith Wheeler on the mound for his first msbl start. Keith came out throwing strikes completing three solid innings including one stike out. When he left, the Royals had a 6-5 lead but Keith only allowed one earned run. Jack Richardson came in to shut things down throwing 4 innings and recording 7 strikeouts. In the last game after Stuart Sparks walked and somehow ended up on third Manager Gary Miller delivered a base hit to put the Cardinals up 7-6. It's also worth mentioning Shawn Teters quietly went 3-3 with a home run.--Gary Miller, Cardinals

Orioles 13  Browns 2

Browns 1  Orioles 13

The Orioles offense continues to produce runs, along with a deep pitching staff we were able to put together a balanced attack, defense continues to play well, the browns hit the ball well, but we was able to make plays when it counted completing a series sweep over the browns. The first game final score 13-2. The second game the offensive fireworks continue we started a little bit slower then the first game we was able to finish with a sixth run 7th inning putting the game away for good final score 13-1. A great start to the season.--Reggie Smith, Orioles

Game one, Chris Gatling went 4 strong innings giving up 1 run. Lance Perrin came on in relief and threw the final 3 innings giving up 1 run. The offense just hit, everyone hit.

In game 2, Trent Fonville went 6 strong innings giving up 1 run. Kyle Cherry was scheduled to throw the 7th but had arm pain during warm-ups so Chris Gatling hopped back on the mound to throw a scoreless 7th. The Browns starter (who pitched the middle innings of game one also) held us to something like a 7-1 lead going into the 7th where we put up 6 more on the relief. I believe their starter logged 8 innings between the two games and did a fine job.--Mike Perrin, Orioles

X-Tinct 6  Dodgers 5
Dodgers 7  X-Tinct 20
Game 1
On a beautiful, but very windy Saturday in Lincoln, the X-Tinct hold on for the 6-5 win. Missing SP Brett Reynolds for the 2nd straight week, Marcus Pratt and Casey Benincosa combined to provide just enough pitching. The Dodgers had some solid pitching of their own, keeping the potentially high powered X-Tinct offense off balance, allowing a single run in each of the 1st 3 innings, and again in the 5th. With a 4-3 lead going into the top of the 7th, Eric Smith's 2R-HR was the difference maker. Benincosa made the bottom of the 7th a little more interesting than he probably would have liked, giving up 2 runs, bringing the score to 6-5. The final out was a groundball to 3rd baseman Troy Flood, who made a great play with a runner crossing his path and firing a strike across the diamond to Smith at 1st, leaving the bases loaded, and securing the win.
Game 2
The offense gave Jared Scott and Troy Flood plenty of support, as they both saw action from the mound. The bottom of the 1st had 13 batters and 9 runs for the X-Tinct, which set the tone nicely for the rest of the game. The offense tallied 3 more runs each, in the 2nd and 3rd innings, adding 2 in the 4th and 3 in the 5th. Credit to the Dodgers as they never quit, scoring 7 runs in the 3rd, 4th and 5th innings. The X-Tinct improve to 5-0 overall on the season, and will use the holiday week off to rest for the grueling stretch heading into the Arklahoma Shootout in mid/late August. --Dennis Marshall, X-Tinct

White Sox  12  Wingnuts 6

Wingnuts 1  White Sox 8

I have no idea how it could be sub 70 degrees on June 29th in Arkansas, but we will take it over having EVERY weekend last season pushing 100 degrees.  And somehow, it seems on days as nice as this, we get a full roster to show up.  All 18 guys.  I actually prefer it that way, but dang...I wish we had 18 guys when it's 100 degrees and a double-header.  Maybe that might happen.  The White Sox (who only had 9 players by our second game last week) had an opportunity to finally see all of our roster at work.  We have seen most of the new guys now, but some of our returning players are finally coming out of the off-season.  Seth White picked up right where he left off from last year going 3-3 in the first game and logging a 9-3 put-out, so we are glad to have him back.  Matt Villines comes back in his first at-bats and goes 1-1 with a BB.  On the hill for game one, starter, Chris Huebner didn't look his normal self giving up 5 ER on 4 hits, 2BB, HBP, and only one K in his three allotted innings.  However, newcomer, David Bodzin (who had a super shaky first outing last week), started to live up to his billing by settling down the Wingnut hitters the rest of the way with a line (4IN, 1R, 0ER, 0hits, 1BB, 1HBP, 5K) to earn the win.  Besides the aforementioned, Jason Christner continues his solid offensive performance by going 2-3, R, 3RBI, 3B. 

By game two, the White Sox were grooving a little easier.  Rookie, Caleb Kelley took the hill and looked solid (3IN, 0R, 0ER, 3hits, 2BB, 3K), but veteran, Matt Mozzoni is continuing to impress on the mound.  Matt was a seldom-show in the past, but has committed to more field time this season and it's a good thing as he is picking up veteran pitching slack for us.  Matt's fastball has excellent pop as witnessed last week but it was the off-speed stuff that was shining today.  Matt's line:  4IN, 1R, 1ER, 2hits, 2BB, 6K and a win.  Offensively, the White Sox scattered things about, but Chris Huebner shook off his mound performance from game one with a line of dueces:  2-2, 2R, 2B.  Tim Hooper had a solid game, 2-4, R, 2RBI, 2B.  I'd like to note that 2nd year player...I do mean this is only his second year EVER playing baseball at age 33...Nick Coe, got his third RBI already this year tripling his output for the whole season last year.  Way to go Nick! --Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox

June 22-23, 2013

X-Tinct 7  Red Rockets 6

Red Rockets 1  X-Tinct 17 

X-Tinct sweep Red Rockets; 6-7, 17-1
Game 1
The X-Tinct overcame a sketchy defensive performance with timely hitting to grind out a 6-7 win. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 2nd, Marcus Pratt walked and next batter, Jeff Shaw hit a line shot to left center, hitting off the top of the fence and over for a 2R HR. The bottom of the 3rd featured more of the same with Troy Flood drawing a BB. Two batters later Josh Vanderpool went yard (his 1st of 4 HR's on the day). Eric Smith followed Vanderpool with a solo shot of his own (his 1st of 2 HR's on the day). In the 5th it was the Vanderpool / Smith connection accounting for the lone run of the frame; Vanderpool BB and Smith 2B driving in the runner from 1st base. Tied at 6-6 going into the bottom of the 7th Flood draws a leadoff walk, and is promptly pulled for pinch-runner Corey Campbell. Jose Cueto advanced Campbell to 3rd on a double to LF. Campbell scored the game winner on a wild pitch/passed ball.
Game 2
Before the start of game 2 someone in the dugout mumbled early and often. That's exactly what happened. The top of the 1st saw 9 batters and 4 runs. Then it got a little weird with Vanderpool finishing his day going 3-3 with 3 HR's. Not to be outdone Smith followed Vanderpool's 2nd HR with another solo shot. Troy Flood finished out the HR barrage, adding a 3R shot. Not bad for the oldest guy on the team. The Red Rockets are a fun bunch of kids to compete against. The X-Tinct's next game; doubleheader, Saturday June 29, vs. Bentonville Dodgers, at Phillips Park in Bentonville. --Dennis Marshall -- X-Tinct

White Sox 14  Orioles 9

Orioles 17  White Sox 11

It always seems that hitting out-paces pitching early in the season and this season is no exception considering the gawdy scores being posted after the first two weekends.  The White Sox had a great showing and equal results in the first weekend, but with 7 fewer players this weekend to try and tackle a double-header is a near-impossible task.  Of those 7, five are pitchers.  I felt fairly confident that young starter, Chris Huebner, would give us a solid three innings in game one, but after that, it was a "sight-unseen" wonder.  What we also did not know is what sort of concoction the Orioles were...part Tigers, Appleknockers, VB Hogs, and Rangers at least.  What we did know is that if the Orioles were the best 25% of each of those teams, then they would be a force in the NWAMSBL.  Even though the Sox were without a full squad, it was apparent that the Orioles are serious competition in this league in their "first" season.  Former VB Hogs pitcher, Kyle Cherry started game one for the Orioles and proved to be a menace to parts of the Sox order.  But the meat of the Sox line-up eventually stymied Cherry when his control faltered taking 8 walks and 4 HBPs and ultimately rattling off 12 hits including home runs by Tim Hooper and newcomer, Jason Christner along with a rare double by "The Front Office."  Chris Huebner gets the short-inning win and last season's rare show, Matt Mozzoni, gets the long-inning save with some power pitching that some of us forgot about.  

Game two saw the effects of having only 9 left at the ball park for the White Sox when Tim Hooper had to depart.  New pitcher, David Bodzin, had a manic tough time finding the strike zone, and when he did, the Orioles made him pay giving up 9 runs in the first two frames alone.  Spotting a team 9 makes for a long day trying to even think about a come-back...especially when Bodzin gave up another 6 runs in the 4th before Andy Miller came in to try and salvage anything.  Down 15-6, the Sox did all they could to plate a few more runs before the dreaded "baseball clock" came into play, but it was pretty fruitless.  Given the Sox numbers, I was actually kind of happy with a split.  On the day:  Jason Christner (4-9, 4R, 5RBI, HR, 3@2B, K), Stephen Boudreaux (4-7, 2R, 2B, BB, HBP), Tim Hooper (2-2, 2R, 4RBI, HR, 2B, BB (see why we missed him in game two...), Andy Miller (5-8, 2R, 4RBI, BB)--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox

Browns 16  Cardinals 15

Cardinals 11  Browns 22

Here's a Browns story:
If you were to look up “winning ugly” in Webster’s Dictionary, the first thing you’d see is a picture of the 2013 West Beech Browns. But as they say, “a win is a win”, and the Browns took two wins from the always-tough Arkansas Cardinals by scores of 16-15 and 21-11.
In game 1, the Browns turned the tables on last year’s “Comeback” Cardinals, scoring 11 run in their last at-bat to steal the win. Clay Fecht pitched a gem for the Cardinals, holding the Browns at bay for 6 innings, but the Cards’ bullpen opened up the door for the Browns to make their comeback.
In game 2, the Browns continued their trend of slow starts, allowing the Cardinals 8 runs in the bottom of the first. But just like in game 1, the Browns eventually opened up the floodgates. Home runs by San Neal and Tjay Linn helped propel the Browns to the win.--Mike Smith, Browns

To say Saturday was a rough day for the Cardinals would be an understatement. With a 15 to 5 lead in the bottom of the last inning the Cardinals gave up 11 runs without recording an out. Clay Fecht had an outstanding performance on the mound throwing 6 solid innings. Unfortunately his team was missing several key players and last weeks all-star David Thrall sprained his ankle going for a pop fly.
The second game literally seemed to take forever, after more than an hour and a half the second inning was completed. The Cardinals offense kept pounding the ball, desperately trying to make a game of it. Defensively the Cardinals literally threw everything except the kitchen sink. Long story short the Cardinals pitching staff is in disarray and the their manager needs to figure out a winning combination. Bright spots for the Cardinals has been the outfield and a red hot batting lineup.--Gary Miller, Cardinals

June 15-16, 2013

X-Tinct 15  Browns 1

Brett Reynolds and Eric Smith power X-Tinct to season opening win over Browns. Reynolds took the mound and pitched 7 strong innings, getting 11 K's along the way. Smith had almost as many RBI's (8) as Reynolds did K's. Smith paced the offense by going 4-5 with a pair of HR's, mixing in a 2B and 3B. With his new workout regiment, stopping at 1st base just isn't an option for him anymore. Jose Cueto settled into his new role in the offense going 5-5, setting the table nicely for the rest of the lineup. Cueto also came in to finish the final 2 innings from the mound. Having limited practices the defense looked very sharp. --Dennis Marshall, X-Tinct

Cardinals 22 Wingnuts 16

The Wingnuts dropped the opener of the '13 season in a slugfest with the Cardinals 22-16. It was back and fourth contest with 3 lead changes and 2 ties. The score was 17-15 going into the final inning where the Cardinals were able to plate 5 more runs to put the game out of reach. This was a great contest and had a lot of bright spots for both teams. The Nuts put up 19 hits in the game. The Wingnuts draft pick this year RJ Straubing was the player of the game going 5 for 5 scoring 3 runs and knocking in a pair of runs. Dan Motz went 3 for 4 with 3 runs and 2 RBI. Jeremy Engelhardt 2-2 (R,RBI), Steve Hudson 1-3, Joe Don Dawes 1-3 (R,RBI,BB,HBP),Jim Bob Tackett 1-2 (2R,RBI,2BB,SB), Victor Pongonis 2-2 (R,BB), Mandar Thackur 2-2(RBI), Colt Neal 2-2 (3R,2RBI), Andrew McMurray 2-3 (R,2RBI), Anthony DeWater 0-3 (R,RBI), Marc DeWeese 0-3 (2RBI).--Marc DeWeese, Wingnuts

Well, it was a pitcher’s duel to the finish. Aww, who are we kidding, it was a shootout right from the start. The normally steady Jacob Tipton got off to a rocky start on the mound for the Cardinals and only made it through 1/3 of the first inning before David Thrall came on in relief. David took it all the way to the finish for the Cards just over one week shy of his 54th birthday. The Cardinals jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first, but the Wingnuts fought back to tie it up in the second. The third inning saw the Wingnuts take a 9-6 lead, but the Cards wouldn’t go quietly and took a 13-9 lead in the top of the fourth. The Wingnuts tied it up again in the bottom half of the fourth, but the Cards kept pouring on the offense in the fifth with back to back doubles by Ikenberry and Teters and finished the frame with a 16-13 lead. Junior Zuniga came up in the 7th with bases loaded and hit a bases clearing double to extend the Cards lead to 22-14. The Wingnuts could only manage one run in the 7th, and as the time limit had expired the Cards had their first victory of the season.--James Johnson, Cardinals

White Sox 16  Red Rockets 3

This has been the strangest off season in my recollection over 18 years in the NWAMSBL.  Normally, the Sox would have a half-dozen practices and as many scrimmage games by the start of the season.  However, with the paltry field availability this year, the first time to get the team on a field since last September was today in our first game against the 18+ Red Rockets.  To make matters even more awkward, I had only SEEN 7 of our 17-man roster in person before today's game.  Kinda hard to get a team ready over the phone and email.  However, our core group that has been together since 2004 had my confidence.  It was the "rookie" group that was the big question mark. With only 12 players able to make today's game, I wanted to get everyone in and see what they could do, so we batted 11 and planned on pitching everyone that could pitch.  Since the two full-time pitchers we recruited in the off-season could not make the game, I chose to start Chris Huebner on the hill.  Chris is somehow still considered a rookie even though he has been with the Sox for 5 years now because he is still under 25.   But he plays every game like a veteran.  Huebner goes a full 9 innings complete game (didn't have the heart to pull him while he was rolling) for the win with a pretty sick line including 14 Ks and giving up only 4 hits, 1BB and an HBP... The Sox offense was alive probably thanks to Phil McClure's rag arm BP in the dark mustering 22 hits led by new-comer, Brad Hughes who literally in a quiet way, went 5 for 5 with 3RBI and a 2B.  The only down-side to the day was the loss of Dustin Wilson in the third who went down with an ankle injury.  Dustin is a critical component to the Sox offense and defense.  Hope the x-rays are negative.--Stephen Boudreaux, White Sox

June 9, 2013

NWACC Eagles 14  Red Rockets 0

Red Rockets 3  NWACC Eagles 8

NWACC’s Blake Sanford (Fayetteville, High School) throws no hitter on Sunday June 9, 2013. Eagles sweep Red Rockets 14-0 and 8-3.  Proud Supporters of NWACC Sports Clubs: Walmart, Outdoor Cap Co., McDonalds, Flooring America by Carpet Smart, Total Document Solutions and George Nunnally Chevrolet.--John Luedtke, NWACC

2013 Standings

Final

18+ Champion-NWACC Eagles

18+ Runner Up- Red Rockets

25+ Champion-NWA X-Tinct

25+ Runner Up - NWA White Sox

2012 Final

2011 Final

2010 Final

2009 Final

2008 Final

2007 Final

2006 Final

2005 Final

2004 Final

2003 Final

2002 Final

2001 Final

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