Muckrakers bag Dirtbaggers

CONCORD -- "Nobody doubles me up!" exclaimed Luke Abbott on one of his madcap dashes to first base.

Nobody gets him out much, either.

The vocal and inspirational Abbott played a huge hand in getting the Muckrakers back in the win column, going 2-for-4 with three runs scored in the 'Rakers' 13-10 victory over the Dirtbaggers in D league action on Thursday night on Field 2.

The Men of Rake were coming off a heartbreaking 12-11 defeat at the hands of the Benchwarmers, then had to endure a bye week before they could get back on the winning path.

Abbott helped make it so. He started early by doubling in the Muckrakers' eight-run first inning, driving in one run in a frame in which the 'Rakers sent 14 batters to the plate.

Showing off another of his many softball tools, the outfielder beat out a double-play attempt in the second inning and eventually scored the only 'Raker run of the frame to give Manager Wagnon's bunch a 9-3 lead.

The relentless Dirtbaggers stormed back with six runs of their own to make it a ballgame, but the Rake-N-Ators gave themselves a bit of breathing room by scoring twice in the sixth, with That Man Abbott starting things off with a ringing triple, eventually scoring on Chace Bryson's RBI single. Mike Gale walked in the frame and was plated by Dave Taxier's sacrifice fly.

Heroes abounded in this much-needed win. Brian Kroll, playing through a hammy pull, went 3-for-4. Mike Yurkus, Mat Petersen, Bryson, Aris Garcia and Wagnon all had two-hit games. And shortstop Randy Striegel converted a line drive into a key double play in the sixth and final inning.

Perhaps the Dirtbaggers were done in by their pitcher, who wore long purple stockings and had a heck of a time figuring out at what height to wear them. When it came down to it, it was the Muckrakers who found the winning look.

And now for a new feature that we like to call:

Kelli (The Keeper's) Corner, a look at the world of Muckraker from the perspective of scorekeeper.

It was noted in the third inning that the Dirtbagger's pitcher was being encouraged to wear both socks down. "I'm not ready for the other sock yet," said the pitcher. "Nobody is ready for the other sock!"