Final 2013 Summer League statistics

..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave

Dave Alcorn.............................3....0....0....0.... .000
Matt Anderson........................14....4....6....5.... .429

Scott Brama..........................38...17...18...10.... .473
Bob Brindley...........................12....3....7.....4.... .583
 Rick Browning.........................4....1....0....0.... .000
Justin Boyd............................36...11...20...11.... .556

Ben Enos..............................22...10...14...12.... .636
Eric.........................................2....1....1....1.... .500
Brian Fairbanks........................5....2....3....2.... .600
Reed Johnson........................37...13...23...16.... .622

Matt Knauff............................36...12...24...15.... .667

Paul Knauff............................  7....2....2....2.... .286

Matt McCall.............................8....5....6....2.... .750 

Marshall Murray.....................28....9...16...14.... .571

Eric Leithliter..........................42...13...26...18.... .619

Joe Stiglich..............................3....0....2....1.... .667

 Randy Striegel......................49...24...27...13.... .551

Dave Taxier ..........................34....5...12....6.... .353

Chris Wagnon........................37...10...12....5.... .324

Chris White..........................33...16...19...22.... .576

Totals.............................449.156..238.159.. .530

Final 2013 Summer League results

4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....STP 15, Muckrakers (0-4) 14
5/16....Field 5....7:05....Muckrakers (0-4-1) 20, OMZ BOYZ 20
5/23....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P 12, Muckrakers (0-5-1) 10
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Muckrakers (1-5-1) 14, Conquistadors 9
6/13....Field 1....8:25....Muckrakers (2-5-1) 10, STP 9
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee 13, Muckrakers (2-6-1) 11
7/11....Field 2....6:15....Muckrakers (3-6-1) 15, S.O.P. 14.
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ 18, Muckrakers (3-7-1) 14
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers (4-7-1) 19, STP 7

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Schedule, results

4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....STP 15, Muckrakers (0-4) 14
5/16....Field 5....7:05....Muckrakers (0-4-1) 20, OMZ BOYZ 20
5/23....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P 12, Muckrakers (0-5-1) 10
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Muckrakers (1-5-1) 14, Conquistadors 9
6/13....Field 1....8:25....Muckrakers (2-5-1) 10, STP 9
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee 13, Muckrakers (2-6-1) 11
7/11....Field 2....6:15....Muckrakers (3-6-1) 15, S.O.P. 14.
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ 18, Muckrakers (3-7-1) 14
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Statistics

..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave

Dave Alcorn.............................3....0....0....0.... .000
Matt Anderson........................10....3....5....5.... .500

Scott Brama...........................32...15...16...10.... .500
Bob Brindley............................4....0....0.....0.... .000
 Rick Browning.........................4....1....0....0.... .000
Justin Boyd............................32....8...17....7.... .531

Ben Enos................................17....8...10....5.... .588
Eric.........................................2....1....1....1.... .500
Brian Fairbanks........................5....2....3....2.... .600
Reed Johnson........................29...11...20...15.... .690

Matt Knauff............................28...12...17...10.... .607

Paul Knauff............................  7....2....2....2.... .286

Matt McCall.............................8....5....6....2.... .750 

Marshall Murray.....................21....6...14....9.... .667

Eric Leithliter..........................34....8...21...16.... .618

Joe Stiglich..............................3....0....2....1.... .667

 Randy Striegel......................41...21...23...12.... .561

Dave Taxier ..........................27....5....9....4.... .333

Chris Wagnon........................31....8...10....4.... .323

Chris White..........................30...14...16...21.... .533

Totals.............................358.130..194.128.. .542

Schedule, results

4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....STP 15, Muckrakers (0-4) 14
5/16....Field 5....7:05....Muckrakers (0-4-1) 20, OMZ BOYZ 20
5/23....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P 12, Muckrakers (0-5-1) 10
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Muckrakers (1-5-1) 14, Conquistadors 9
6/13....Field 1....8:25....Muckrakers (2-5-1) 10, STP 9
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee 13, Muckrakers (2-6-1) 11
7/11....Field 2....6:15....Muckrakers (3-6-1) 15, S.O.P. 14.
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Schedule, results

4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....STP 15, Muckrakers (0-4) 14
5/16....Field 5....7:05....Muckrakers (0-4-1) 20, OMZ BOYZ 20
5/23....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P 12, Muckrakers (0-5-1) 10
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Muckrakers (1-5-1) 14, Conquistadors 9
6/13....Field 1....8:25....Muckrakers (2-5-1) 10, STP 9
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee 13, Muckrakers (2-6-1) 11
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

'Rakers thrill in walk-off win against STP

CONCORD -- See that little squiggly thing in the ground there? It's a worm. What's it doing? Turning.

The worm indeed turns, which is a roundabout way of saying for all the bad luck the Muckrakers have enduring in the 2013 Summer League season, sometimes things have a way of brightening up and going in the opposite direction.

The 'Rakers, who have had jolly well enough of close games not going their way, have finally found a way to get the Softball Gods to smile upon them, with two consecutive victories to savor during their bye week.

The best evidence that things are finally starting to go the way of the Men of Muck came last Thursday in a 10-9 walk-off win over STP, elevating Los Muckeraros' record to 2-5-1.

STP scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning and were probably feeling pretty good about things in taking a 9-4 lead going into the bottom of the seventh.

Justin Boyd, who'd injured his hand on defense earlier in the contest, showed his grit by leading off with a single. Ben Enos furthered the cause with his base hit, and Randy Striegel, Matt Knauff and Marshall Murry continued the barrage of awesomeness with hits of their own.

That set the stage for Chris White, who'd already done a full day's work on the mound, pitching well and initiating two double plays. Now on offense, White blasted a drive into right-center over the STP outfielder's head, and why that lad was playing a bit shallow in that situation we'll never know. White took full advantage, hot-footing it around the bases until three runs had scored, setting off a much-welcomed victory celebration. The Muckrakers felt pretty darn good about things, and why not? It's pretty well pleasant when the worm turns.

And this win comes on top of a vanquishing of the hated Conquistadors in the previous week, 14-9, also a satisfying affair.

Running the table with four games left play might be asking for a lot, yet don't put it past the Muckrakers for one minute. If you're tempted to do so, take a moment to observe that worm. Revel in its turning.

Statistics

..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave

Matt Anderson........................10....3....5....5.... .500

Scott Brama...........................25...11...13....7.... .520

Rick Browning.........................4....1....0....0.... .000

Justin Boyd............................26....5...13....4.... .500

Ben Enos................................11....5....6....3.... .545
Eric.........................................2....1....1....1.... .500
Brian Fairbanks........................5....2....3....2.... .600
Reed Johnson........................25....8...17...12.... .680

Matt Knauff............................24....9...13....6.... .542

Paul Knauff............................  4....1....1....2.... .250

Matt McCall.............................8....5....6....2.... .750 

Marshall Murray.....................21....6...14....9.... .667

Eric Leithliter..........................26....7...15...12.... .577

Randy Striegel.......................34...17...19...11.... .559

Dave Taxier ..........................23....5....8....4.... .348

Chris Wagnon........................26....6....6....2.... .231

Chris White..........................26...12...14...18.... .538

Totals.............................290.104..156.102.. .538

Schedule, results

4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....STP 15, Muckrakers (0-4) 14
5/16....Field 5....7:05....Muckrakers (0-4-1) 20, OMZ BOYZ 20
5/23....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P 12, Muckrakers (0-5-1) 10
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Muckrakers (1-5-1) 14, Conquistadors 9
6/13....Field 1....8:25....Muckrakers (2-5-1) 10, STP 9
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

'Rakers avoid loss, tie OHM Boyz

CONCORD -- This reporter usually knows where he stands on all issues all the time, yet even your lowly scribe confesses to feeling somewhat flummoxed following the Muckrakers' 20-20 tie to OHM Boyz of C-league fame last Thursday on rarely seen Field 5.

True, it wasn't a loss, and with what the Muckrakers have been going through this season, anything that is not a defeat is something to appreciate. And yet, it's not a win, either, so if you know what to make of this big, fat mess, give us a call, won't you?

This one could have turned out very badly, truth be told. The 'Rakers went into the bottom of the seventh up by four runs, but OHM Boyz scored four to tie it, and had the bases loaded with two outs in prime position to win it. But shortstop Randy Striegel saved the day with a fine over-the-shoulder catch in short left field for the final out, thus preserving the non-loss.

It was a confusing, stumbling sort of ballgame, starting with something basic such as the starting time. The contest was originally tabbed for a 9:30 start, but was shifted to 7:05 because ... well, you'll have to get with the Concord Recreation Department on that.

Once the 'Rakers were assembled, they commenced to hitting. Field 5 is a notorious launching pad, and the M-Rakers took full advantage, blasting six homers on the night. The Men of Rake went yard twice in each the second inning (Scottt Brama and Chris White) and third (back-to-back jobs by White and Matt Anderson).

 White thusly enjoyed a six-RBI night, Eric Leithliter have five ribbies and Brama contributed four.

All that heavy hitting got the 'Rakers ever so close to their first win of the year -- and helped them avoid being tagged with another hard-luck loss.

Statistics

..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave

Matt Anderson.........................8....3....4....3.... .500

Scott Brama...........................19....8....9....7.... .474

Rick Browning.........................4....1....0....0.... .000

 Justin Boyd............................16....2....8....4.... .500

Ben Enos.................................4....2....2....0.... .500
Eric..........................................2....1....1....1.... .500
Brian Fairbanks........................5....2....3....2.... .600
Reed Johnson........................15....5...10....9.... .667

Matt Knauff............................13....6....7....2.... .538

Matt McCall............................8....5....6....2.... .750 

Marshall Murray.....................13....4....9....6.... .692

Eric Leithliter..........................19....5...10....6.... .526

Randy Striegel.......................23...11...12....7.... .522

Dave Taxier ..........................17....3....6....2.... .353

Chris Wagnon........................13....5....4....2.... .307

Chris White..........................15....8....9...14.... .600

Totals.............................194..70..100...68.. .515

Schedule, results

4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....STP 15, Muckrakers (0-4) 14
5/16....Field 5....7:05....Muckrakers (0-4-1) 20, OMZ BOYZ 20
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Statistics

..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave

Matt Anderson.........................4....2....3....2.... .750

Scott Brama...........................15....6....6....3.... .400

Justin Boyd.............................13....0....6....3.... .462

Brian Fairbanks........................5....2....3....2.... .600

Reed Johnson........................15....5...10....9.... .667

Matt Knauff............................13....6....7....2.... .538

Matt McCall............................8....5....6....2.... .750 

Marshall Murray.....................13....4....9....6.... .692

Eric Leithliter..........................15....3....6....1.... .400

Randy Striegel.......................18....8...10....5.... .556

Dave Taxier ..........................13....2....5....1.... .385

Chris Wagnon........................10....3....3....2.... .300

Chris White..........................11....5....6....8.... .545

Totals.............................153..50...80...48.. .522

Schedule, results

4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....STP 15, Muckrakers (0-4) 14
5/16....Field 3....9:30....Muckrakers vs. OMZ BOYZ
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Statistics

..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave

Scott Brama..........................11....4....4....0.... .364

Justin Boyd.............................9....0....4....0.... .444

Reed Johnson........................10....2....6....6.... .600

Matt Knauff.............................8....4....5....2.... .625

Matt McCall............................8....5....6....2.... .750 

Marshall Murray....................13....4....9....6.... .692

Eric Leithliter........................11....3....6....1.... .545

Randy Striegel.....................13....6....8....5.... .615

Dave Taxier ........................10....1....4....1.... .400

Chris Wagnon........................6....3....2....2.... .333

Chris White..........................11....5....6....8.... .545

Totals............................110...36...60...35.. .545

Schedule, results

4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Kamikazee 24, Muckrakers (0-3) 11
5/9......Field 2....8:25....Muckrakers vs. STP
5/16....Field 3....9:30....Muckrakers vs. OMZ BOYZ
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Short-handed 'Rakers give strong effort but fall to S.O.P.

CONCORD -- Call your humble correspondent crazy -- wouldn't be the first time -- but your softball scribe holds strongly to the conviction and cannot be dissuaded that on some blessed day, the Muckrakers will start a game with 10 players and keep that amount the whole game through.

Of course it will happen, The Muckrakers will see that it is so. It's just that it hasn't happened just yet. So far, the 'Rakers are 0-2, both in terms of wins and in games in which they've fielded a full 10 for an entire game.

The Men of Muck did the best they could with what they had last Thursday, but they still fell to S.O.P. by a count of 11-6 to fall to 0-2 in the nascent C/D Summer League season.

Los Muckeros were short-handed from the start, with only nine available players taking the field. Actually, the 'Rakers started with eight, then were further fortified when Scott Brama was able to arrive, at least allowing the Mucksters to get closer to 10.

It took a bit for the 'Rakers to get going in this one, as they went six up, six down over the first two innings and saw themselves facing a quick 6-0 deficit on Field 1. But the Scrappy Nine took matters into their own hands and launched a comeback that had S.O.P. back on its heels for a few innings.

The Merry Men of Muck reeled off four runs off six hits in the third inning to get right back into the ballgame, cutting the deficit to two. Flummoxed S.O.P. was held scoreless, thanks to some tight 'Raker defense, for four consecutive innings.

Notable defensively during that span was shortstop Marshall Murray quick-minded throw to third baseman Reed Johnson, who tagged out a straying S.O.P. base runner. And there was Randy Striegel, making a rare 'Raker appearance in center field, making a fine running catch of a bloop to rob an S.O.P. batter of a hit.

The Muckrakers, though, weren't exactly lighting up the scoreboard themselves following the four-run extravaganza in the third. A promising rally withered on the vine in the fifth inning when catcher Dave Taxier grounded out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

But in the sixth, singles by Matt McCall (3 for 4, two runs scored) and Striegel (2 for 4, two runs scored) and Murray (3 for 4, ribbie) and a sacrifice fly by Chris White (1 for 3, two RBIs) resulted in two runs scoring, good enough to tie this mother at 6-all.

However, S.O.P. came back to break Muckraker hearts everywhere, scoring five times in the top of the seventh inning. When the 'Rakers came up empty in the bottom of the frame, that was all she wrote, let's hit the parking lot and discuss the NFL draft.

But one must say the Muckrakers showed an abundance of spunk, given the short-handed circumstances. Better days, with fuller lineups, are ahead.

Statistics

..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave

Scott Brama..........................7....2....2....0.... .286

Justin Boyd............................6....0....2....0.... .333

Reed Johnson........................7....2....4....4.... .571

Matt Knauff...........................4....3....3....1.... .750 

Matt McCall..........................8....5....6....2.... .750 

Marshall Murray....................9....3....8....4.... .880

Eric Leithliter........................8....3....5....1.... .625

Randy Striegel.....................9....4....6....4.... .667

Dave Taxier ........................7....1....3....1.... .429

Chris Wagnon......................3....2....1....2.... .333

Chris White..........................8....3....3....5.... .375

Totals............................76...27...43...26.. .566

Schedule, results

4/11....Field 3....9:30....Conquistadors 22, Muckrakers (0-1) 21
4/18....Field 1....7:20....S.O.P. 11, Muckrakers (0-2) 6
4/25....Field 3....8:25....Muckrakers vs. Kamikazee
5/9......Field 2....8:25....Muckrakers vs. STP
5/16....Field 3....9:30....Muckrakers vs. OMZ BOYZ
5/23....Field 1....7:20....Muckrakers vs. S.O.P.
6/6......Field 2....6:15....Conquistadors vs. Muckrakers
6/13....Field 1....8:25....STP vs. Muckrakers
6/27....Field 4....6:15....Kamikazee vs. Muckrakers
7/11....Field 2....6:15....S.O.P. vs. Muckrakers
7/18....Field 3....6:15....OMZ BOYZ vs. Muckrakers
7/25....Field 2....9:30....Muckrakers vs. STP

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Statistics

..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave

Scott Brama..........................4....1....1....0.... .250

Justin Boyd............................2....0....0....0.... .000

Reed Johnson........................4....2....3....3.... .750

Matt Knauff...........................4....3....3....1.... .750 

Matt McCall..........................4....3....3....1.... .750 

Marshall Murray....................5....3....5....3... 1.000

Eric Leithliter........................4....2....4....1... 1.000

Randy Striegel.....................5....2....4....3.... .800

Dave Taxier ........................3....1....2....1.... .667

Chris Wagnon......................3....2....1....2.... .333

Chris White..........................5....2....2....3.... .400

Totals............................43...21...28...20.. .651