Heroes aplenty as Muckrakers unseat Benchwarmers

CONCORD -- Games like these are tough on Mr. Blog Dork, not that he’s complaining. How do you write about just one hero when so many are deserving?

Just as it take a village to raise a child, it takes a whole ‘lotta heroes to beat the Benchwarmers, and the CCT Muckrakers were more than up for the challenge when they scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning for an ultra-dramatic, you-ain’t-gonna-believe-this-crap 14-13 season-saving victory on Thursday on Field 4.

Some of that fabled Pixieland magic must have wafted over the ‘Raker lineup in the bottom of the final inning, with the home team needing a run to win and complete the comeback. The fateful frame got really interesting when Steve Moscatelli hit a short single and Chase Bryson, alert and hustling, beat the throw to avoid being forced out at second base. That proved to be a key play, as Mike Rieger followed with another clutch hit, loading the bases. That left it up to Mike Gale, who’d already been enjoying a stellar evening, going 3-for-3. Well, the plucky left fielder’s night got a whole lot better when he smashed a one-hopper at the hapless Benchwarmer second baseman, who couldn’t handle the hot potato, which allowed Bryson to score the winning run.

Gale's single may go down as one of the biggest safeties in Muckraker history. Better yet, the blow was witnessed by Muckraker SuperFan Joe DeLoach, who showed up just in time to witness the comeback.

"I'm just estatic that we got the win and I was able to help out," said a humble Gale. "But it was a lot of guys stepping up and contributing. We could have given up when we were down five but I'm proud of how we all fought back. This win is huge and I didn't want to let DeLoach down."

That last-inning effort helped put the ‘Rakers at .500 (3-3) and set them up nicely for a second-half playoff drive. A loss to the Benchwarmers (1-4-1) wouldn’t have necessarily ended the season, but it certainly would have sent Muckrakers fans home grumbling into the night.

Thanks to the effort of Gale and countless others, a swell time was had by all in 'Raker Nation.

"I was just looking for something to drive and was telling myself just hit it hard," Gale noted.

Sure, the final-inning heroics were all fine and dandy, but if not for some nifty hitting in the fifth and sixth, the seventh inning might have been academic.

In the fifth, the Muckrakers’ comeback ways were spurring on by Randy Striegel’s three-run home run blast. And the ‘Rakers came up with five more runs in the sixth, keyed by Dre Thurston’s likewise three-run shot, plating Alcorn and Mike Yurkus. It all helped set up the magical seventh for the ‘Rakers, who faced deficits of 7-4 and 9-5 and promptly went about spitting in the eye of said deficits.

It was a roaring end to the first half of the season. One can feel the anticipation in the air for what may lay in store in the second half.

STARBURSTS

Thurston, like Gale, had a four-hit evening, and the Daves (Alcorn, Taxier) each went 3-for-4. … Alcorn and Thurston each scored three runs. … Chris Wagnon, who had a hustle-single in the fourth, drove in yet another run on the play. ... Mat Petersen and Moscatelli also had multi-hit games.

NOTE

The Muckrakers’ reward for a come-from-behind win is a bye week. They resume play on June 7, for their first 6:15 game of the season, against the Lumberjacks on Field 1.

-- Muckraker News Services

Statistics

.............................AB..R...H..RBI..Ave.
Luke Abbott..............12...5...4...6... .333
Dave Alcorn..............22...16...11...5... .500
Chace Bryson...............6...3...2...1... .333
Mike Gale..................20...5...8...5... .400
Dwayne Giron...............8...3...4...2... .500
Rick Hurd......................2...2...1...0... .500
Steve Moscatelli...........16...2...6...3... .375
Mat Petersen..............21...10...15...16... .714
Mike Rieger................18...4...8...4... .444
Randy Striegel..........22...10...11...14... .500
Dave Taxier................19...9...12...5... .632
Dre Thurston..............15...7...9...9... .600
Chris Wagnon..............16...5...10..14... .625
Mike Yurkus.................14...7...6...2... .429
...........................210...88...107...87. .510

Schedule, results

Date....Field.........Time....Foe ('Rakers H-V)
4/12....Muckrakers 22, Lumberjacks 15
4/26....Weideman Construction 15, Muckrakers 12
5/3......Muckrakers 19, Un-Athletics 9
5/10....Air Pro 14, Muckrakers 9
5/17....Young Guns Reloaded 28, Muckrakers 12
5/24....Muckrakers (3-3) 14, Benchwarmers 13
6/7.....Field 1....6:15....home vs. Lumberjacks
6/21....Field 2....7:20....home vs. Weideman Construction
6/28....Field 1....7:20....visitor vs. Un-Athletics
7/5.....Field 4....6:15....home vs. Air Pro
7/12....Field 5....6:00....visitor vs. Young Guns Reloaded
7/19....Field 3....9:30....visitor vs. Benchwarmers
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Lefty exits, misses most of Muckrakers' blasting at the hands of Young Guns Reloaded

CONCORD -- He left.

Mike Lefkow has never been known as a quitter, but there he was, abandoning the CCT Muckrakers about midway through Thursday’s game against Young Guns Reloaded. One moment, he was an ardent fan of the team he once played for. The next moment, he was gone -- a shadow, a memory, history ..... vanished.

Now, one would like to blast the eminence known as Lefty for his seeming treacherous ways. But, you know, maybe the big lug knew something. Because the Mucksters went on to play their first bona fide stinkeroo of the season, a 28-12 defeat at the hands of the impressive Young Guns.

It was not a good night to be playing vibrant YGR. A strong wind was blowing out on field 3, giving all the teams’ drives a little extra gumption the Mucksters wish they didn’t have. Dave Taxier’s lame offerings were belted early, often and far.

One can only hope Muck-and-Grinders give Lefty reason to go the distance the next time he shows up.

STARBURSTS

Mat Petersen continued his mega-impressive batting, blasting two right-fielder-paralyzing shots for home runs in the first and fourth innings. He finished with seven RBI for the game. . . . Chris Wagnon continued to wield the hot RBI stick with two more for his collection off a single and a triple. . . . Newly instated leadoff man Mike Yurkus got on base three times and hit a sacrifice fly. . . . Randy Striegel and Steve Moscatelli each had two-hit games. ... Rick Hurd made his official Muckrakers debut. Welcome, Rick! He went 1-for-2 and scored twice.

NOTE

The Muckrakers will be out to end their two-game losing slide Thursday in an 8:25 tilt against the Benchwarmers on field 4.

Statistics

.............................AB..R...H..RBI..Ave.
Luke Abbott..............12...5...4...6... .333
Dave Alcorn..............18...13...8...4... .444
Chace Bryson...............2...2...2...0... 1.000
Mike Gale..................16...5...4...4... .250
Dwayne Giron...............8...3...4...2... .500
Rick Hurd......................2...2...1...0... .500
Steve Moscatelli...........12...1...4...3... .333
Mat Petersen.............17...9...13...15... .765
Mike Rieger................14...3...7...4... .500
Randy Striegel..........18...8...9...10... .500
Dave Taxier................15...8..9...4... .600
Dre Thurston..............11...4...5...6... .455
Chris Wagnon..............13...5...9..13... .692
Mike Yurkus.................10...6...5...1... .500
...........................167..74..83..73. .497

Going, going ... gone?

As the Muckrakers continue to reinvent themselves, we have to say goodbye to some of their longtime fans. Well, in certain cases, it's not really "Goodbye" as much as "We'll see ya back here real soon."

Cecil Conley is taking his bike and leaving the Times and the Muckrakers for the fourth time. He's headed for the big city. Well, actually he's headed for the big city desk to run the show at the Fairfield Daily Republic, where Gabrielle Stevenson once started her journalistic career (and we all know how that turned out). It's not the first time we've said goodbye to the 'Hoss and the odds are it won't be the last. But as someone once said, "How can we miss Cecil if he won't go away?"

Conley's departure has left a big hole to fill on the news desk at the Times and once again a member of the Muckrakers Nation will be stepping in to fill the gap. Pamela Lewis-Turntine...or is that Turntine-Lewis (we can never get the order straight) will be moving over from the sports desk to help out in news. Turntine-Lewis...Lewis-Turntine...whatever...was once named the Muckrakers' Fan of the Game and has attended numerous 'Raker blowouts. ("Maybe if you guys scored a few more runs, they wouldn't be blowouts," she once said.)

"They have both been a big part of our success," said Muckrakers manager Chris Wagnon. "We're gonna miss both of them and we wish them well. But it's no big deal. I left sports, Pamela's leaving sports and Cecil, well, he just keeps leaving. We'll find other fans. I ain't worried."

Lewis-Turntine refused to be interviewed, saying "Look, it's just a freakin' softball blog. And you better not put my picture up there with Romero's head on top of it or my lawyer will be getting involved."

When approached for his comments, Conley also gave the blog the brush-off. "I gotta go get some vits," he said. "Where's Gale?"

Schedule, results

Date....Field.........Time....Foe ('Rakers H-V)
4/12....Muckrakers 22, Lumberjacks 15
4/26....Weideman Construction 15, Muckrakers 12
5/3......Muckrakers 19, Un-Athletics 9
5/10....Air Pro 14, Muckrakers 9
5/17....Young Guns Reloaded 28, Muckrakers (2-3) 12
5/24....Field 4....8:25....home vs. Benchwarmers
6/7.....Field 1....6:15....home vs. Lumberjacks
6/21....Field 2....7:20....home vs. Weideman Construction
6/28....Field 1....7:20....visitor vs. Un-Athletics
7/5.....Field 4....6:15....home vs. Air Pro
7/12....Field 5....6:00....visitor vs. Young Guns Reloaded
7/19....Field 3....9:30....visitor vs. Benchwarmers
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

John Romero Poster Night

No one likes to let it hang out like John Romero.
That's why the Muckrakers are happy to announce this week's promotion features their former player who fled to Fresno.
The first 853,462 fans who attend Thursday's game against the Young Guns Reloaded will be rewarded with this poster of the famed "JR."
"I'm hot, ain't I?" Romero said. "God, I'm hot. Tell Belli I'm hot. Heh, heh, heh."
We'll let all the Muckraker fans decide that. For now, just take the poster home, pin it up on your ceiling and enjoy it like any good Hot Chaser...uh, Muckraker would.

Muckrakers deflated by Air Pro

CONCORD -- Their big inning was bigger than our big inning, and there you have it. In a nutshell, the CCT Muckrakers’ 14-9 loss to Air Pro wasn’t such a hard nut to crack after all.

But it was a tad disappointing, seeing how it was a battle of two first-place, 2-1 ballclubs, both looking to make early season statements. But the operative phrase here is “early season.” There’s much softball to be played, and as the ‘Rakers well know, anything can happen, and often does, in Concord D league.

What happened to the Muckrakers Thursday was that Air Pro came out en fuego, battering starting pitcher Dave Taxier for eight runs in the first inning -- all scoring with two outs and the ‘Rakers thinking they were having an easy time of it early on.

An easy time was not in the offing, although the gallant Mucksters had their shining moment in the third in rallying for five runs, keyed by some wacky baserunning by Dave Alcorn, who refuted the meaning of the word “stop” by legging out an RBI triple, then continuing on home on an AP throwing error. Randy Striegel also doubled in a run in the frame.

AP had a little statement left in it, though as it struck for four runs in the bottom of the fifth, which as it turned out gave them a tidy little bit of insurance.

But while the ‘Rakers fell a mite short in this one, they let Air Pro know there’s oh so much more ball to be played on the mean fields of Willow Pass Park. Oh, so much more.

STARBURSTS

Mike Yurkus, Mat Petersen, Striegel and Dwayne Giron all had multi-hit games. .… Petersen absolutely pulverized pitches in the third and fifth, paralyzing the right fielder for triples each time.

NOTES

Calling all Muckrakers! The team needs each and every ‘Raker possible to attend this Thursday night’s game, an 8:25 affair vs. Young Guns Reloaded (field 3). The Muckrakers are the home team in their next four straight games.

Statistics

.............................AB..R...H..RBI..Ave.
Luke Abbott..............12...5...4...6... .333
Dave Alcorn..............14...11...7...4... .500
Chace Bryson...............2...2...2...0... 1.000
Mike Gale..................14...4...4...4... .286
Dwayne Giron...............5...3...3...2... .600
Steve Moscatelli...........9...0...2...3... .222
Mat Petersen.............13...7...11...8... .846
Mike Rieger................14...3...7...4... .500
Randy Striegel..........14...6...7...8... .500
Dave Taxier................12...8..9...4... .750
Dre Thurston..............11...4...5...6... .455
Chris Wagnon..............10...5...7..11... .700
Mike Yurkus.................9...4...4...0... .444
...........................138..62..71..61. .514

Schedule, results

Date....Field.........Time....Foe ('Rakers H-V)
4/12....Muckrakers 22, Lumberjacks 15
4/26....Weideman Construction 15, Muckrakers 12
5/3......Muckrakers 19, Un-Athletics 9
5/10....Air Pro 14, Muckrakers (2-2) 9
5/17....Field 3....8:25....home vs. Young Guns Reloaded
5/24....Field 4....8:25....home vs. Benchwarmers
6/7.....Field 1....6:15....home vs. Lumberjacks
6/21....Field 2....7:20....home vs. Weideman Construction
6/28....Field 1....7:20....visitor vs. Un-Athletics
7/5.....Field 4....6:15....home vs. Air Pro
7/12....Field 5....6:00....visitor vs. Young Guns Reloaded
7/19....Field 3....9:30....visitor vs. Benchwarmers
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

WARNING: Prepare yourself

Be scared, be very scared.

Next week, we take the blog where it's never been before. You will see things you never thought you would see (and some things you probably never wanted to see.)

And you thought this was only a blog about a softball team...how wrong could you be?

So get ready as we take the Muckrakers blog to the next level.

P.S. In case any of your friends miss this announcement, we will send out this message to everyone at work so we can brag about all the great and wonderful things we're doing here online even if we're not making any money doing it. And we want your feedback, just get it here by 4:58 p.m. cuz we will all be gone after that. Also, don't bother sending anything on the weekends because no one will see it until Monday. Such is life in the 24/7 internet world...deal with it.

Lefty: He's bobble-iscious

With the incredible response to last week's Joe Roderick Bobblehead Day, the Muckrakers announced today their second promotion of the season and guess what folks, it's another bobblehead for everyone to play with.
This time the honor will go to another of the recent inductees into the Hall of Shame and one of the most beloved Muckrakers, the one and (thankfully) only Mike "Lefty" Lefkow.
"I got the perfect face for a bobblehead," Lefkow said. "Not to mention, every time I put the daily budget together, my head is always bobbing back and forth. I mean let's face it, I'm a bobblehead maker's wet dream."
Lefty retired two seasons ago when the pressure of work wouldn't allow him to continue his softball career.
"I was just under siege back then," Lefkow said. "I mean, let's face it, I needed a break. Do you have any idea how many times my phone would ring and I would have to go bail Jonathan (Okanes) out of some bad situation he got into with the Cal basketball coach and some announcer.
"I mean, let's face it, I love Jonathan, I just wish he'd lose his cell phone. I hate cell phones."
Rumors are spreading that former Times motorsports writer Gabrielle Stevenson will be on hand to honor her former boss. Lefty doubts it.
"Do you know the name of my fantasy baseball team?" he said. "I mean, let's face it, she won't be there."
And what about Lefkow's recent comments that he might attempt a comeback with the Muckrakers? "I mean, let's face it, I can still play and I plan on....hold on, there goes my phone again...
"Hello? Hello? Jonathan? Is that you? What? I can't hear you. Hello? Jonathan? You did what? I still can't hear you. I mean, let's face it, I hate cell phones. Hello? Jonathan? Hello? Are you there?"

Standings

Thursday Men's D West
..................................Pts...W...L..T
Muckrakers...................4...2...1...0
Air Pro...........................4...2...1...0
Un-Athletics....................4...2...2...0
Weideman Construction...4...2...2...0
Benchwarmers................3...1...2...1
Young Guns Reloaded......3...1...1...1
Lumberjacks....................2...1...2...0

'Rakers bring 'A' game, beat Un-Athletics

CONCORD -- Neither a steady drizzle nor Boom Dizzle could prevent the CCT Muckrakers from their appointed task, which was winning their second game of the season.

Mission-freekin’-accomplished as the ‘Rakers cleaned up on the Un-Athletics 19-9 to win their second game of the season, and second in three efforts.

There were distractions aplenty that could have altered the Muck-N-Grinders’ focus. Some doubted the 9:30 affair would even take place, given the steady drizzle over the evening. As it was, the ‘Rakers barely avoided forfeit, being forced to field a nine-player attack (and there’s no sense going over the Muckrakers’ sorry record when they only have nine at their disposal). Then there was the matter of the Warriors choosing that night to dispatch the Mavericks in their historic first-round NBA playoff series. The dedicated ‘Rakers chose making their own history over viewing enticing basketball in the safety and comfort of their homes.

Good choice, ‘Rakers. The victors sent nine across the plate in the first two innings and basically cruised home from there.

STARBURSTS

Mat Petersen was retired in his first at-bat, then clobbered two singles and a two-run homer on a three-run, three-RBI evening. … Chris Wagnon continued to swing the hot RBI bat. He drove in four runs for the second consecutive game, this time batting out of the nine-hole. … Seven ‘Rakers had multi-RBI games. … Dwayne Giron make his ’07 debut, going 1-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored. … Both Randy Striegel and Dave Alcorn snared vicious line drives. … Alcorn scored fur times and Luke Abbott scored three times.

NOTE

The Muckrakers have yet another crucial early season test as they play Air Pro at 7:20 on Field 1 on Thursday. The ‘Rakes played Air Pro last season.

Statistics

.............................AB..R...H..RBI..Ave.
Luke Abbott..............12...5...4...6... .333
Dave Alcorn..............11...9...6...3... .545
Chace Bryson...............2...2...2...0... 1.000
Mike Gale..................11...4...4...4... .364
Dwayne Giron...............2...2...1...2... .500
Steve Moscatelli...........6...0...1...2... .167
Mat Petersen.............11...5...9...7... .818
Mike Rieger................11...3...6...3... .545
Randy Striegel..........11...5...5...6... .455
Dave Taxier................10...7..8...3... .800
Dre Thurston..............8...3...4...6... .500
Chris Wagnon..............8...5...7..11... .857
Mike Yurkus.................6...3...2...0... .333
...........................107..53..58..52. .542

Schedule, results

Date....Field.........Time....Foe ('Rakers H-V)
4/12....Muckrakers 22, Lumberjacks 15
4/26....Weideman Construction 15, Muckrakers 12
5/3......Muckrakers (2-1) 19, Un-Athletics 9
5/10.....Field 1....7:20....visitor vs. Air Pro
5/17....Field 3....8:25....visitor vs. Young Guns Reloaded
5/24....Field 4....8:25....home vs. Benchwarmers
6/7.....Field 1....6:15....home vs. Lumberjacks
6/21....Field 2....7:20....home vs. Weideman Construction
6/28....Field 1....7:20....visitor vs. Un-Athletics
7/5.....Field 4....6:15....home vs. Air Pro
7/12....Field 5....6:00....visitor vs. Young Guns Reloaded
7/19....Field 3....9:30....visitor vs. Benchwarmers
All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Muckrakers nailed by Weideman Construction

CONCORD -- The CCT Muckrakers, showing just a tad less moxie and savvy than they had the week previous, tasted the sour nectar of defeat for the first time this season, falling to Weideman Construction 15-12.

Sure, the 'Rakers did their best to build on the glories of Opening Night. They scored three runs in the first frame and added three more in the second, and led as late as the fourth inning, 6-4.

But strangely missing from the Muckinators' arsenal was the really big inning, that one monster rally that cuts the guts out of an opponent and leaves it dry and exposed, like a fish on a dock. Meanwhile, WC hung around, chipping off a run here and a run there, and it had the game's one big frame, in the sixth, when every grounder found a welcoming hole and each weak fly ball found sanctuary in the gaps of the outfield.

Although the game Muckrakers battled to the end, only to fall three runs short, to a man the goal of the postseason remains first and foremost, and doable. In their postgame ruminations, the Muckrakers could not help but think: "Indeed this is a marathon, it certainly is not a sprint. Hey, any more beers left in that cooler?"

STARBURSTS

In addition to his managerial duties, Chris Wagnon drove in a career-high four runs batting out of the 12-hole, including his hit that plated two in the first inning. ... Mike Rieger, Chace Bryson (making his 'Raker 2007 debut), Mat Petersen, Mike Gale and Dave Taxier had multihit games. ... The Muckrakers struck back-to-back sacrifice flies in the sixth inning. ... A couple 'Rakers claimed to have seen the space station pass overhead during the postgame wrapup.

NOTES

Gale continued to play on his tender left leg, which was injured early in the first game. Gale's status continues to be day to day. His status for Friday basketball is unknown. ... Joe DeLoach and Kelli Phillips were in attendance for the contest and participated in team postgame activities. ... The Late Show: Two of the Muckrakers' first three games have been 9:30 affairs. ... The 'Rakers will be the home team for the first time this season on Thursday against the Un-Athletics.