'Rakers are feelin' it against Untouchables

CONCORD -- Two wins a row? A winning record? Are such things even possible?

Oh yes, yes they are, say the Muckrakers in joyful unison after outlasting the Untouchables 18-14 on Thursday, giving the Lads of Parking Lot a 2-1 mark for the Fall League season and rare back-to-back triumphs. The 'Raker record book would have to be located and dusted off to find out the last time Our Heroes backed up one win with yet another win.

On such things are playoff surges built.

And to think the 'Rakesters were staring forfeit in the face in the light of one of those dreaded 6:15 affairs. Yet manager Chris Wagnon managed to scrape up a lineup for an Untouchable team that was yearning for its first win of the Fall campaign.

It was a makeshift 'Raker lineup that finally took Field 3. In another masterstroke, Skipper Wagnon placed Luke (Roover) Abbott at second base, forming a formidable keystone combination with shortstop Randy Striegel. The Men of Muck also welcomed back to its bosom Tony (Rally Belly) Hicks, making his '10 Fall League debut. Making his Muckraker debut of any league was Burger, who proved a valuable ally in upping 'Raker numbers to the optimal 10.

Somehow, this combo clicked like it'd played together for years. The Mucksters rapped out 18 runs and 20 hits, including an eight-run outburst straight out of the box in the first inning. The Muck-In-Ators needed all that and more as the Untouchables proved both relentless and pesky. But the Mucksters stayed resilient and refused to fold at any juncture, remaining a D/E force to be reckoned with.

Heroes were vast and many, but special mention must be given to Wagnon, who continued his sterling offensive play with a 4 for 4, five-RBI evening. Striegel continued to hit the ball hard and often (4 for 4, three ribbies). Don Dennler got into the hit column in a nice way (2 for 2, a pair of runs driven in).

This winning streak thing is something the Mucksters can get used to. Did anyone hear "three in a row"?