CONCORD -- This reporter usually knows where he stands on all issues all the time, yet even your lowly scribe confesses to feeling somewhat flummoxed following the Muckrakers' 20-20 tie to OHM Boyz of C-league fame last Thursday on rarely seen Field 5.
True, it wasn't a loss, and with what the Muckrakers have been going through this season, anything that is not a defeat is something to appreciate. And yet, it's not a win, either, so if you know what to make of this big, fat mess, give us a call, won't you?
This one could have turned out very badly, truth be told. The 'Rakers went into the bottom of the seventh up by four runs, but OHM Boyz scored four to tie it, and had the bases loaded with two outs in prime position to win it. But shortstop Randy Striegel saved the day with a fine over-the-shoulder catch in short left field for the final out, thus preserving the non-loss.
It was a confusing, stumbling sort of ballgame, starting with something basic such as the starting time. The contest was originally tabbed for a 9:30 start, but was shifted to 7:05 because ... well, you'll have to get with the Concord Recreation Department on that.
Once the 'Rakers were assembled, they commenced to hitting. Field 5 is a notorious launching pad, and the M-Rakers took full advantage, blasting six homers on the night. The Men of Rake went yard twice in each the second inning (Scottt Brama and Chris White) and third (back-to-back jobs by White and Matt Anderson).
White thusly enjoyed a six-RBI night, Eric Leithliter have five ribbies and Brama contributed four.
All that heavy hitting got the 'Rakers ever so close to their first win of the year -- and helped them avoid being tagged with another hard-luck loss.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Statistics
..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave
Matt Anderson.........................8....3....4....3.... .500
Scott Brama...........................19....8....9....7.... .474
Rick Browning.........................4....1....0....0.... .000
Justin Boyd............................16....2....8....4.... .500
Ben Enos.................................4....2....2....0.... .500
Eric..........................................2....1....1....1.... .500
Brian Fairbanks........................5....2....3....2.... .600
Reed Johnson........................15....5...10....9.... .667
Eric..........................................2....1....1....1.... .500
Brian Fairbanks........................5....2....3....2.... .600
Reed Johnson........................15....5...10....9.... .667
Matt Knauff............................13....6....7....2.... .538
Matt McCall............................8....5....6....2.... .750
Marshall Murray.....................13....4....9....6.... .692
Eric Leithliter..........................19....5...10....6.... .526
Randy Striegel.......................23...11...12....7.... .522
Dave Taxier ..........................17....3....6....2.... .353
Chris Wagnon........................13....5....4....2.... .307
Chris White..........................15....8....9...14.... .600
Totals.............................194..70..100...68.. .515
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Schedule, results
4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....STP 15, Muckrakers (0-4) 14
5/16....Field 5....7:05....Muckrakers (0-4-1) 20, OMZ BOYZ 20
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....STP 15, Muckrakers (0-4) 14
5/16....Field 5....7:05....Muckrakers (0-4-1) 20, OMZ BOYZ 20
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Statistics
..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave
Matt Anderson.........................4....2....3....2.... .750
Scott Brama...........................15....6....6....3.... .400
Justin Boyd.............................13....0....6....3.... .462
Brian Fairbanks........................5....2....3....2.... .600
Reed Johnson........................15....5...10....9.... .667
Matt Knauff............................13....6....7....2.... .538
Matt McCall............................8....5....6....2.... .750
Marshall Murray.....................13....4....9....6.... .692
Eric Leithliter..........................15....3....6....1.... .400
Randy Striegel.......................18....8...10....5.... .556
Dave Taxier ..........................13....2....5....1.... .385
Chris Wagnon........................10....3....3....2.... .300
Chris White..........................11....5....6....8.... .545
Totals.............................153..50...80...48.. .522
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Schedule, results
4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....STP 15, Muckrakers (0-4) 14
5/16....Field 3....9:30....Muckrakers vs. OMZ BOYZ
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....STP 15, Muckrakers (0-4) 14
5/16....Field 3....9:30....Muckrakers vs. OMZ BOYZ
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Statistics
..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave
Scott Brama..........................11....4....4....0.... .364
Justin Boyd.............................9....0....4....0.... .444
Reed Johnson........................10....2....6....6.... .600
Matt Knauff.............................8....4....5....2.... .625
Matt McCall............................8....5....6....2.... .750
Marshall Murray....................13....4....9....6.... .692
Eric Leithliter........................11....3....6....1.... .545
Randy Striegel.....................13....6....8....5.... .615
Dave Taxier ........................10....1....4....1.... .400
Chris Wagnon........................6....3....2....2.... .333
Chris White..........................11....5....6....8.... .545
Totals............................110...36...60...35.. .545
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Schedule, results
4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....Muckrakers vs. STP
5/16....Field 3....9:30....Muckrakers vs. OMZ BOYZ
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....Muckrakers vs. STP
5/16....Field 3....9:30....Muckrakers vs. OMZ BOYZ
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Short-handed 'Rakers give strong effort but fall to S.O.P.
CONCORD -- Call your humble correspondent crazy -- wouldn't be the first time -- but your softball scribe holds strongly to the conviction and cannot be dissuaded that on some blessed day, the Muckrakers will start a game with 10 players and keep that amount the whole game through.
Of course it will happen, The Muckrakers will see that it is so. It's just that it hasn't happened just yet. So far, the 'Rakers are 0-2, both in terms of wins and in games in which they've fielded a full 10 for an entire game.
The Men of Muck did the best they could with what they had last Thursday, but they still fell to S.O.P. by a count of 11-6 to fall to 0-2 in the nascent C/D Summer League season.
Los Muckeros were short-handed from the start, with only nine available players taking the field. Actually, the 'Rakers started with eight, then were further fortified when Scott Brama was able to arrive, at least allowing the Mucksters to get closer to 10.
It took a bit for the 'Rakers to get going in this one, as they went six up, six down over the first two innings and saw themselves facing a quick 6-0 deficit on Field 1. But the Scrappy Nine took matters into their own hands and launched a comeback that had S.O.P. back on its heels for a few innings.
The Merry Men of Muck reeled off four runs off six hits in the third inning to get right back into the ballgame, cutting the deficit to two. Flummoxed S.O.P. was held scoreless, thanks to some tight 'Raker defense, for four consecutive innings.
Notable defensively during that span was shortstop Marshall Murray quick-minded throw to third baseman Reed Johnson, who tagged out a straying S.O.P. base runner. And there was Randy Striegel, making a rare 'Raker appearance in center field, making a fine running catch of a bloop to rob an S.O.P. batter of a hit.
The Muckrakers, though, weren't exactly lighting up the scoreboard themselves following the four-run extravaganza in the third. A promising rally withered on the vine in the fifth inning when catcher Dave Taxier grounded out with the bases loaded to end the inning.
But in the sixth, singles by Matt McCall (3 for 4, two runs scored) and Striegel (2 for 4, two runs scored) and Murray (3 for 4, ribbie) and a sacrifice fly by Chris White (1 for 3, two RBIs) resulted in two runs scoring, good enough to tie this mother at 6-all.
However, S.O.P. came back to break Muckraker hearts everywhere, scoring five times in the top of the seventh inning. When the 'Rakers came up empty in the bottom of the frame, that was all she wrote, let's hit the parking lot and discuss the NFL draft.
But one must say the Muckrakers showed an abundance of spunk, given the short-handed circumstances. Better days, with fuller lineups, are ahead.
Of course it will happen, The Muckrakers will see that it is so. It's just that it hasn't happened just yet. So far, the 'Rakers are 0-2, both in terms of wins and in games in which they've fielded a full 10 for an entire game.
The Men of Muck did the best they could with what they had last Thursday, but they still fell to S.O.P. by a count of 11-6 to fall to 0-2 in the nascent C/D Summer League season.
Los Muckeros were short-handed from the start, with only nine available players taking the field. Actually, the 'Rakers started with eight, then were further fortified when Scott Brama was able to arrive, at least allowing the Mucksters to get closer to 10.
It took a bit for the 'Rakers to get going in this one, as they went six up, six down over the first two innings and saw themselves facing a quick 6-0 deficit on Field 1. But the Scrappy Nine took matters into their own hands and launched a comeback that had S.O.P. back on its heels for a few innings.
The Merry Men of Muck reeled off four runs off six hits in the third inning to get right back into the ballgame, cutting the deficit to two. Flummoxed S.O.P. was held scoreless, thanks to some tight 'Raker defense, for four consecutive innings.
Notable defensively during that span was shortstop Marshall Murray quick-minded throw to third baseman Reed Johnson, who tagged out a straying S.O.P. base runner. And there was Randy Striegel, making a rare 'Raker appearance in center field, making a fine running catch of a bloop to rob an S.O.P. batter of a hit.
The Muckrakers, though, weren't exactly lighting up the scoreboard themselves following the four-run extravaganza in the third. A promising rally withered on the vine in the fifth inning when catcher Dave Taxier grounded out with the bases loaded to end the inning.
But in the sixth, singles by Matt McCall (3 for 4, two runs scored) and Striegel (2 for 4, two runs scored) and Murray (3 for 4, ribbie) and a sacrifice fly by Chris White (1 for 3, two RBIs) resulted in two runs scoring, good enough to tie this mother at 6-all.
However, S.O.P. came back to break Muckraker hearts everywhere, scoring five times in the top of the seventh inning. When the 'Rakers came up empty in the bottom of the frame, that was all she wrote, let's hit the parking lot and discuss the NFL draft.
But one must say the Muckrakers showed an abundance of spunk, given the short-handed circumstances. Better days, with fuller lineups, are ahead.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Statistics
..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave
Scott Brama..........................7....2....2....0.... .286
Justin Boyd............................6....0....2....0.... .333
Reed Johnson........................7....2....4....4.... .571
Matt Knauff...........................4....3....3....1.... .750
Matt McCall..........................8....5....6....2.... .750
Marshall Murray....................9....3....8....4.... .880
Eric Leithliter........................8....3....5....1.... .625
Randy Striegel.....................9....4....6....4.... .667
Dave Taxier ........................7....1....3....1.... .429
Chris Wagnon......................3....2....1....2.... .333
Chris White..........................8....3....3....5.... .375
Totals............................76...27...43...26.. .566
Friday, April 19, 2013
Schedule, results
4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Muckrakers vs. Kamikazee
5/9......Field 2....8:25....Muckrakers vs. STP
5/16....Field 3....9:30....Muckrakers vs. OMZ BOYZ
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Muckrakers vs. Kamikazee
5/9......Field 2....8:25....Muckrakers vs. STP
5/16....Field 3....9:30....Muckrakers vs. OMZ BOYZ
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord
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