Muckrakers drub The Guys

CONCORD -- Reversing the formula of their previous two games, the Muckrakers stormed back into the win column with a 13-9 victory on Thursday against The Guys on Field 1.

In this one, the ‘Rakers discovered that it’s a better idea to score a bunch of runs early, rather than give up a ton early. The industrious Muckrakers exploded for seven runs in the first inning, tacked on four in the second and scored two more in the third for a commanding 13-1 lead.

But to the Guys’ credit, they recovered and turned things around at that point. They set about chipping away at the lead, and defensively, they got it together and robbed several ‘Rakers of hits.

But the Muckrakers saved the day with some fancy glovework of their own. The infield turned a pair of double plays, with pitcher Rick Hurd starting one twin-killing with a nice stop of a shot back up the middle, and shortstop Randy Striegel started a DP of the 6-4-3 variety. Hurd and first baseman Mat Petersen also recorded a nice out at first, although the ump somehow called the play safe.

Chris Wagnon was a rock in right-center and Mike Gale made a nifty running catch in the gap as the Rakers used every tool in their arsenal in holding off The Guys.

For the first three innings it didn’t appear such dramatics would be necessary. The runs came fast and furious, especially in the first when Gale touched off the rally with what is believed to be his first Muckraker triple. Petersen promptly singled him home, and Striegel, continuing his torrid extra-base tear, slashed a double. Dave Taxier, Jon Madden and Wagnon added base hits to the fun.

Hurd’s double in the second inning was key to that four-run uprising, and in the third, Striegel tripled in Gale and Hurd plated Petersen with a sac fly.

After that, the ‘Raker offense turned it over to pitching of Hurd and the defense, and the Muckster glovemen proved to be more than up for the challenge.