Outlaws Baseball NEWS ITEM

The Outlaws matched the temps with some hot bats in the top of the first. Sam Baumgartner started the game by being hit by a pitch. Ryan Meyer followed with a base hit. Union Hill then executed a double play and it appeared the threat might be quashed. Jeff Miller wouldn't allow it though as he came through with a two out RBI single to drive in Sammy. Jeff Appel then singled and Robb Larson added an RBI single of his own driving in Miller. Justin Williamson then notched the 4th Outlaws hit in a row with a 2 RBI double out to the fence. After it was all said and done the Outlaws jumped out to a 4-0 advantage.

Sam Baumgartner, back from a groin injury took the hill for the Outlaws. Although prior to the game Sam said it felt about 80% he said that he was good to go. Sammy didn't waste any time getting back into the flow of things, setting down the Pitbulls in order in the home half of the first.

The game remained at 4-0 heading into the third. Ryan Meyer led off the inning with a walk and Roth was then plunked. Jeff Miller added his second hit of the day with an RBI double scoring Meyer and advancing Roth to third. Jeff Appel then sent a 2 RBI single to right field that put the Outlaws up 7-0.

The joy was short lived as the 7 runs were the extent of the Outlaws offense for the day. Meanwhile the Pitbulls began chipping away at the lead scoring one run in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings.

The Outlaws could only muster a Robb Larson single in the 6th and a Baumgartner walk in the 7th. Otherwise the bats fell silent.

Heading into the buttom of 7 the Outlaws still held a 7-3 advantage and were three outs away from securing the win. Things slowly fell apart as the Pitbulls started to string together hits. A few missed opportunities for outs and the Pitbulls had the bases loaded with 3 runs already in. A deep fly ball to left field found it's way out to the fence and Union Hill stole the come from behind victory.

It's hard to put into words how a team feels letting a game like that slip away. To say it was a heart breaker is an understatement. There wasn't much time to dwell on it however as the Seafoam Hawks quickly took the field for the back half of the twin bill.

Sam Baumgartner pitched the complete game for the Outlaws striking out 5 and suffering the depressing loss. Jeff Miller finished up 2 for 3 with a single and a double to go with 2 RBI's. Jeff Appel was also 2 for 3 on the day with two singles and two RBI's. Robb Larson came to party and also went 2 for 3 with and RBI. Justin Williamson was 1 for 2 with 2 RBI's and Ryan Meyer went 1 for 3.

As has been the case in most of the double headers this summer, Outlaws players were a bit tired and flat heading into game two. The game quickly turned into a pitchers dual right out of the gates.

Jeff Miller started for the Outlaws and picked up right where he left off in his last start. Miller cruised through the first 4 innings striking out 5.

The Seafoam hurler also kept the Outlaws off the board through 4, only surrendering one hit off the bat of Sam Baumgartner to lead off the game. Sammy gapped one to start the game but held up at first due to his tender groin. The only other base runners for the Outlaws through 4 innings of play were two Ryan Meyer walks, a Baumgartner hit by pitch, and a Chad Wiertzema and Pat Nelson walk. All the runners were stranded including leaving the bases loaded in the third and runners at first and second in the 4th.

Seafoam grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the 5th. The Hawk's leadoff hitter singled and quickly stole second base. He moved up to third on a fly ball to right. One batter later he scored on the second single of the inning. Outlaw's catcher Sean Mangan then secured the second out of the inning pegging the Hawks runner attempting to swipe second.

Miller kept the Outlaws deficit at one by tossing scoreless frames in the 6th and 7th innings. Pat Nelson lined a deep single off the left field fence in the home half of the 6th, but was quickly earased with a double play.

Heading into the home half of the 7th the Outlaws had the top of the order due up and their backs against the wall. Sam Baumgartner led off the inning with a single and Ryan Meyer then reached after being hit by a pitch. Mike "The Hammer" Roth then strolled up to the plate. Mike battled with the Seafoam pitcher and worked himself into a 2-2 count. With a grunt and loud crack of the bat Roth launched a shot deep over the left center field fence for the walk off 3 run homerun.

With the walk off the Outlaws secured yet another weekend split. Letting one slip away late and stealing one late. The Outlaws league record now sits at 5-6.

Jeff Miller finished the day with the complete game victory striking out 9 Hawks hitters, en-route to his second win of the season.

Mike Roth was the hero of the day going 2-4 with the deep walk of 3 run homerun. Sam "Bammy" Baumgartner finished the game 2-3 with a hit by pitch. Pat Nelson was 1-2 with a single off the fence and a walk. Pat fell victim to hitting the ball too hard as the carem off the fence bounced right to the Hawks left fielder, and he was limited to the single. Ryan Meyer also reached base 3 times with two walks and a hit by pitch. I must also mention that Wertz did not get credit for a hit, but he was robbed several times throughout the day. We all started to feel bad for him. Maybe the luck will change next game Wertz!

It was nice to see the Outlaws team hold things together after a very tough loss in game one. Sometimes the dark side of personalities can emerge in a loss like that. It is clear that the Outlaws roster is full of great people who jump to support eachother. That attitude allowed for a nice rebound in game 2 and the joy of watching Roth's bomb clear that left field fence.

Only one more double header (thank goodness) for the Outlaws this season after a two week break. The Outlaws next travel to Searles for a twin bill on the 29th at 2:00 and 4:00pm. Where has the summer gone??