Outlaws charge out of the gates with 6-2 victory in season opener.

The Southwest Outlaws opened River Valley League and division play this past Saturday against the Searles Bullheads.  Rain threw a wrench into plans initially by leaving the Welcome fields unplayable.  A quick call to Bullheads management and it was agreed the game would be played in Searles.  The Outlaws still played as the home team on the Bullheads field.  

Jeff "Spanky" Miller got the nod for the Outlaws and tossed a scoreless top of the first surrendering only one single to Craig Schmitz.  Schmitz was left stranded at 2nd base as Miller secured the final out of the inning by strikeout.  Scott Rummell took the ball for Searles and set Outlaw hitters down in order in the home half.

The Bullheads drew first blood in the second as Ekstrom drew a lead off walk followed by a Swenson single.  Ekstrom eventually scored on a sacrifice fly to center of the bat of Rummell.  Spanky limited the damage to one run while adding his second strikeout.  The Outlaws attempted to answer in the bottom half gathering back to back one out singles from Jeff Appel and Jesse Teerink.  Rummell pitched his way out of trouble by retiring the next two Outlaw hitters.

Spanky pitched a scoreless third while adding another strikeout and stranding two Bullhead runners.  Rummell shifted into cruise control breezing through the bottom of the third retiring three Outlaws in order.  

Another lead off walk in the top half of the 4th put Swenson on base for the Bullheads.  Swenson then stole second and the throw found it's way into center field.  Swenson took third on the play and later scored on Rummel's second sacrifice fly of the game.  After the lead off walk Miller retired the next three Bullhead hitters limiting the damage to one run and a 2-0 Searles lead.

Rummell extended his retired batter streak to 5 in the bottom of the 4th before surrendering a two out walk to Paul Olerich.  Olerich then showed a bit of speed by stealing second base and moving himself into scoring position.  Rummell proved to be too crafty however and was able to end the threat by coaxing a pop up to shortstop to end the inning.  Rummell's pitching day was over after the fourth, but he had an impressive day striking out 3 and giving up only 2 hits over his 4 innings of work.  

Miller pitched his way out of a bases loaded jam in the top half of the 5th inning adding his 5th strikeout of the day.  The Outlaw offense awoke from it's slumber in the bottom half of the inning.  A new Searles pitcher (I don't have a name) entered the game and was greeted with a lead off line drive single to left off the bat of Jeff Appel.  Jesse "Muff" Teerink then laid down a bunt too pretty to be a sacrifice, and reached base with a single of his own.  One batter later after a lengthy battle, Sean Mangan coaxed a walk to load the bases.  Jason Beckett stepped to the plate and drove a 2 RBI single to left center scoring Appel and Teerink.  Jeff Miller helped his cause by following with an RBI single of his own scoring Mangan.  Ryan Carlson then joined the party by plating two more Outlaws with another single.  Sam Baumgartner reached on a walk, followed by an RBI sac fly to deep left from Ryan Meyer scoring Carlson.  Paul Olerich added another hit to the inning with a single, but the scoring finally ended with the Outlaws jumping out to a 6-2 lead. 

Miller gave way to Sam Baumgartner in the top of the 6th.  Sammy slammed the door shut on the Bullheads pitching a 1-2-3 6th inning with two of the outs coming by way of strikeout.  The Outlaws loaded the bases in the bottom of 6 with Appel leading off by reaching on an error followed by a Teerink walk.  Robb Larson then singled, but all runners were left stranded.   

Baumgartner continued to look dominant by quietly retiring the Bullheads in the 7th to secure the win.  Bammers faced one over the minimum in his two innings of work, with the only base runner reaching on an error.  

Jeff Miller moves to 1-0 on the year with the Outlaws 6-2 victory.  Miller struck out 5 while giving up only 2 hits in his 5 innings of work.  Sammy didn't allow a hit in his 2 innings and ended with three punch outs.  Jesse Teerink led all Outlaw hitters going 2 for 2 with a walk and a run scored in his debut.  Jeff Appel was 2 for 3 with a run scored.  Other newcomer contributors Jason Beckett and Ryan Carlson each had a hit and 2 RBI's while each scoring once.  Jeff Miller was 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored, Robb Larson and Paul Olerich also added a 1 for 3 day.   Ryan Meyer drove in a run with his sac fly.  Sean Mangan scored the other Outlaws run after reaching on a walk.    

Tid Bits

*What a way to start the season? If anyone attended Outlaw's games in 2012 they know the strength of the    team was the pitching of Miller and Baumgartner. Both start the 2013 campaign with strong outings against a very good team. 

*Rookies rule the day! Jesse Teerink, Jason Beckett, Ryan Carlson and Paul Olerich all were major contributors in the victory. Welcome to the team fellas! Very happy to have you!

A memorial day weekend break has the team out of action for a couple weeks, but they will be back on the field at home on June 2nd vs. the Northfield Millers.  First pitch is at 2:00pm.  See you there!!!