For the third time in as many weeks the Southwest Outlaws were plagued by rain on gameday. 

The Wilmont Cardinals played host to the Outlaws this past friday night and both teams decided a little rain wouldn't stop the game.  So with rain falling the Cardinals took the field and the 7 inning contest was underway.  Prior to the game both teams agreed to play over 35 game rules with each batter starting with a 1-1 count.  (This is because...well...us Outlaws are old.)

Nick Ahrens took the mound for Wilmont and tossed a scoreless first frame.  The top half of the inning was highlighted by a Josh Noble walk followed by a Mike Roth single.  Roth's claw hand signal was a welcome sight!  Ahrens pitched out of the two out jam and both runners were stranded. 

Jeff Appel was the pitcher of choice for the Outlaws and tasked with facing his former team.  Appel kept the Wilmont hitters at bay through two innings striking out 2 and only surrendering a first inning single to Justin Saufley, and a second inning single to Jesse "Muff" Teerink.  Teerink was greedy and attempted to stretch his single into a double and was promptly thrown out at second by Justin Williamson. (Muff is not a greedy person...not trying to imply that.) 

The Outlaws led off the third with back to back walks from Chad Wertz and Jeff Appel.  After an unsuccessful bunt that resulted in a pop out, Robb Larson came to the plate.  Robb also attempted a first pitch bunt and Wertz wandered a bit too far off of second base.  In the subsequent rundown Wertz was tagged out and Appel advanced to second base.  With two outs Larson then promptly drove in Appel with an RBI single.  Josh Noble then immediately followed suit with an RBI double driving in Larson and putting the Outlaws on top 2-0.  An ambulance was put on standby for Larson as he was forced to score from first base on the play. 

The Cardinals knocked on the door in the home half of the 3rd after a two out bunt single from Jay Scheidt followed by a Steven Kremer single.  Appel then coaxed a flyout to left and the inning was over. 

Appel continued to keep Cardinal hitters off balance in the 4th and 5th innings, setting down 6 Wilmont hitters in order and tallying three more strikeouts. 

The Outlaw's bats were also silent in the 4th and 5th with the exception of a lead off double by Jeff Drent in the 4th.  Drent was left at second however and the score remained 2-0 through 5 innings of play.

Robb Larson led off the top of the 6th with his second base hit of the game.  Josh Noble bunted Larson over to second setting up a two out RBI single off the bat of Jeff Drent one batter later.  Ryan Meyer then walked and Drent and himself advanced to 2nd and 3rd on passed balls.  Stuart Rogers ended the rally with a strikeout and the Outlaws went into the 6th with a 3-0 lead.

In the home half of the 6th Appel walked the lead off hitter Scheidt.  Scheidt was advanced to second base on a ground out to second by Kremer.  Appel then walked the next two hitters along with Scheidt scoring on a passed ball.  With the score 3-1 and two runners on,  Appel's night was over.  Cory Van Briesen took over on the mound for the Outlaws hoping to preserve the lead.  Wilmont struck quickly with an RBI single off the bat of Stuart Rogers to make the score 3-2.  Van Briesen pitched out number two as Ryan Meyer made an over the shoulder catch in foul territory behind first base.  (It was a great catch!)  One batter later Wilmont tied the game with an R.B.I. single from Cody Melendez.  The Cardinals then took a 4-3 lead on an Outlaw's error.  Van Briesen struck out the next hitter and sent the Outlaws to their last at bat with a one run deficit. 

Stuart Rogers threw a blanket on all Outlaws hopes for a rally in the top of the 7th and the wet mess of a game was over.  Wertz was the only Outlaws baserunner in the inning reaching after being plunked. 

Game Notes:  Jeff Appel finished the day with 6 strikeouts over 5 and 1/3rd innings with 3 walks and 4 hits allowed.  This will be Appel's only pitching outing of the year due to the over 35 rule preventing players from pitching until they are 37 years old.  Younger pitchers are able to throw against amateur teams as the games are exhibition affairs. 

Robb Larson helped account for all three Outlaw's runs in the game by driving in one and scoring two himself.

Josh Noble maintains his perfect average by going 1-1 with an RBI double along with a walk and a sacrifice bunt.  (He is good.)

Jeff Drent made his Outlaw's debut with a 2 for 3 performance and an RBI.  (Welcome Jeffrey!)

The Outlaws continue to search for win number one, but I have a feeling it will be soon.  This game was a great confidence builder as they faced one of the best amateur teams in the state.  We all had so much fun facing a great classy group of Wilmont players.  We're all hopeful we can make this game happen every year.