Can Bardo Day offence continue?

Armena’s Bardo Day was interesting and full of offense, something they hope can carry over into this week’s huge contests against Ryley on the road.

Knowing before the day began that numbers could be an issue, they extended their hand to a couple former teammates to bolster their squad for the historic tournament south of Tofield. Both John Spigott and Hans Olson closed off the right side of the infield at first and second base in game one. In game two, Wes Wilson and Kris Kushnerick donned the blue and white.

A 10 a.m. start pitted the shorthanded Royals against the host Athletics. Armena’s Cole Tomaszewski was expected to arrive late so the Royals went with only eight players for almost the entire game. It cost them three automatic outs throughout the game.

They hung tough, getting solid pitching from Kyle Ellis in his first start of the season and finally got run support in the form of extra-base hits. Joel Boettger had a three-run homer and Clark Banack got a questionable inside-the-park round tripper after left field Jeff van Elgelin lost track of the ball after it literally “Skipped” over his head.

“The scorer in our dugout must have felt sorry or scared of the coach,” said teammate Jason Buzzell.” I think it was a single and an error, but hey, that guy needs all the help he can get – on and off the field.”

The Royals lead was short-lived, however, as the scrappy hometowners bounced back to tie the game 6-6, and then got a three-run go-ahead blast from Ray “The Legend” Lehman.

But true to Bardo Day form, the first game came down to the wire. With the game 9-8 in the top of the seventh, Olson fired a single up the middle, and Buzzell dropped in a popper over first base. They then advanced to second and third on a passed ball with two outs. Player-coach Clark Banack now had a chance to knock in the tying and go-ahead run.

He struck out swinging at a breaking ball.

“How does (Berreclothe) throw that pitch,” Banack said in agony following the loss. “That little softy over the outside corner, agggghhhh.”

Armena bounced back in game two against Tofield, winning 12-2 in five. Adam Johnson got the victory and Josh “Flapjack” Lyseng got back on track after going hitless in game one with a 3-for-4 effort, including a 3-RBI double.

Armena now hopes some of the positives can carry over into this week’s games in Ryley. The Rebels have had huge wins over Camrose and Leduc. If the Royals can’t earn at least a split, playoff chances could become a very large uphill battle. Game times are at 7 p.m.

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Jason Buzzell