'Rakers' Season Comes To End With Playoff Loss to I'd Hit That

CONCORD -- The season that began with a hail-out ended with: hell....out.

The Muckrakers were battered and bloodied, and yet they refused to quit and they fought on to the bitter end. And that's just Randy Striegel.

As they have all year, the Men of Muck gave a valiant effort, but this time their efforts fell a little short in a 13-11 loss to I'd Hit That on Field 3 last Friday. It was the second loss to the playoffs for the Muckrakers, who were thus eliminated and forced to call an end to an eventful 16-game campaign.

Yer Heroes, you'll be proud to know, did not go down quietly or compliantly. Rather, the Masters of Muckdom battled IHT -- which bore an uncanny resemblance to their first-place friends from D-League South, The Guys -- to a 9-9 standoff after the regulation seven innings. IHT rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth to take a 13-9 lead. But it was nervous times for IHT in the bottom half, as Rick Browning walked with one out, Dave Alcorn singled, and both eventually came around to score on Striegel's double. But somehow IHT managed to hold on and advanced in the tournament, perhaps knowing in their heart of hearts that maybe they got away with one on this night.

Certainly, the most inspirational athlete on the field this night was Striegel. Starting at shortstop in this one, Striegel was bopped in the head by an errant IHT toss in going for a double in the third inning. Blood flowed from Striegel's ear as a result of the toss. But leaving the game was never an option for the sturdy Striegel, who went 4-for-4 in the game, lacking a home run for the cycle.

Striegel and the 'Rakers were at their best in the first inning when they poured it on for five runs on the strength of home runs from Chris White and Matt Knauff.

In the fourth, Luke Abbott doubled and scored on Browning's single as the Mucksters make it an 8-5 game in their favor. But feisty IHT went ahead 9-8, the 'Rakers tied it in the sixth on Bob Brindley's single plating Striegel, thus setting the stage for extra-inning heroics from both sides. Yet, for the Muck-N-Ators, it was not to be.

And yet, there was little fault to be found in a season that saw the Muckrakers make their triumphant return to the land of the postseason. Not that that looked like a sure bet after the team got off to a 1-4 start. But the 'Rakers, as they always seem to do, pulled together and made it better. They got to work and made it a season to remember. And that's softball, the Muckraker way. May there be several more seasons sill to come.

Maurading Muckrakers Shatter 9 Mugs and a Pitcher for Fifth Consecutive Win

CONCORD -- You want to know when you're cool, hip and happening? When you've got a beer named after you, that's when.

So fill up that pitcher with Muckraker Ale, courtesy of Luke Abbott Brewery, gather 'round the hitchin' post, and let's all recount with gusto the mighty Muckrakers' latest in a string of triumphs, a 20-12 mauling of their personal punching bags, 9 Mugs and a Pitcher, last Thursday on Field 3.

Lately, the drinks have all been on the house and have gone down so smoothly at Ye Olde Muckraker Tavern. The Men of Muck continue to knock down the best D League-South has to offer, having now won an astounding five games in a row. The team that once stood at 1-4 with little postseason hope is up to 6-4 and feeling pretty good about its chances, although more work needs to be done with two regular-season games remaining.

Something about 9MAAP gets the 'Rakers' juices flowing. Yer Heroes blasted three home runs vs. 9MAAP after piling up 27 runs against it in the last encounter. Chris White, Dave Alcorn and Bob Brindley all went yard in this one as the Muckrakers pulled away for the decisive victory.

This one was a slugfest early, with pitcher Dave Taxier gumming the works somewhat with his Worst Start Ever. The 'Rakers led 13-11 after three innings, but 9MAAP tallied only once more the rest of the way, thanks to fine long relief work from White. Meanwhile, the offense continued to do its thing, applying the dagger with a five-run seventh inning. Brindley, he of the high-visibility florescent yellow hat, landed the big blow, a two-run jimmy-jack to cap off his 5 for 5, four-run, two-ribbie evening.

White, who'd homered in the first, led the RBI parade with five. Shortstop Reed Johnson turned in a 4 for 5 effort, and Matt Knauff and Jose Gomez contributed three safeties apiece to the 29-hit attack. Rick Browning returned to the lineup and bashed a couple hits and scored four times.

After it was all said and done, it was over to Master Luke's abode for some good eats and brew. Sure, it was all fine and grand, but that's what happens when you're the D-League South cock of the walk. Strut proud, Muckrakers, strut proud.