Final 2014 Summer League results

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

Dave Alcorn...........................5....2....5....5.... 1.000 

Matt Anderson......................19....4....8....5.... .420

Scott Brama.........................15....9....9....7.... .600

Justin Boyd...........................25....8...11....9.... .440

Ben Enos..............................22...17...18....2.... .818

Reed Johnson.......................29....6...15...12.... .517

John Kavenaugh....................33...13...16...13.... .485

Matt Knauff...........................42...22...24...22.... .571

Paul Knauff............................16....7....7....6.... .438

Mike Kristoff...........................4....1....2....0.... .500

Eric Leithliter...........................1....1....0....0.... .000

Mike Lopez...............................12....6....6....2.... 500

Matt McCall............................26...15...17...2.... .654

Marshall Murray......................24...10...17...14....  .708

Randy Striegel..........................6....3....1....3.... .167

Dave Taxier ...........................33...12...16...10.... .485

Chris Wagnon.........................35...12...13....6.... .371

Chris White.............................20....6...15....8.... .750

Totals..................................372..153..200..148.. .537

Final 2014 Summer League results

4/10....7:20....The Guys 21, Muckrakers (0-1) 15
4/17....6:15.... Dianda Plaza 15, Muckrakers (0-2) 13
5/1......8:25.... Ohm Boys 17, Muckrakers (0-3) 14
5/8......8:25.... 1SBP 22, Muckrakers (0-4) 11
5/15.....7:20.... Bash Brothers 18, Muckrakers (0-5) 12
5/29.....6:15.... The Guys def. Muckrakers (0-6), forfeit
6/5.......8:25.... Muckrakers (1-6) 20, Dianda Plaza 11
6/12.....9:30.... Muckrakers (2-6) 14, WHP/Dbacks 3
6/19.....6:15.... Ohm Boys 25, Muckrakers (2-7) 22
7/10.....9:30.... 1SBP def. Muckrakers (2-8), forfeit
7/17.....7:20.....Muckrakers (3-8) 21, WHP/Dbacks 9
7/24.....7:20.... Blockheads 21, Muckrakers (3-9) 11

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Statistics

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

Dave Alcorn...........................5....2....5....5.... 1.000 

Matt Anderson......................19....4....8....5.... .420

Scott Brama.........................15....9....9....7.... .600

Justin Boyd...........................22....8...10....9.... .455

Ben Enos..............................17...14...14....2.... .823

Reed Johnson.......................24....5...10...10.... .417

John Kavenaugh....................33...13...16...13.... .485

Matt Knauff...........................37...21...23...21.... .622

Paul Knauff............................12....7....7....6.... .583

Mike Kristoff...........................4....1....2....0.... .500

Eric Leithliter...........................1....1....0....0.... .000

Mike Lopez...............................8....4....4....2.... 500

Matt McCall............................22...12...15...17.... .682

Marshall Murray......................24...10...17...14....  .708

Randy Striegel..........................6....3....1....3.... .167

Dave Taxier ...........................29...11...13....9.... .448

Chris Wagnon.........................31...12...12....5.... .387

Chris White.............................15....6...10....5.... .667

Totals..................................329..142..176..137.. .535

Schedule, results

4/10....7:20....The Guys 21, Muckrakers (0-1) 15
4/17....6:15.... Dianda Plaza 15, Muckrakers (0-2) 13
5/1......8:25.... Ohm Boys 17, Muckrakers (0-3) 14
5/8......8:25.... 1SBP 22, Muckrakers (0-4) 11
5/15.....7:20.... Bash Brothers 18, Muckrakers (0-5) 12
5/29.....6:15.... The Guys def. Muckrakers (0-6), forfeit
6/5.......8:25.... Muckrakers (1-6) 20, Dianda Plaza 11
6/12.....9:30.... Muckrakers (2-6) 14, WHP/Dbacks 3
6/19.....6:15.... Ohm Boys 25, Muckrakers (2-7) 22
7/10.....9:30.... 1SBP def. Muckrakers (2-8), forfeit
7/17.....7:20.....Muckrakers (3-8) 21, WHP/Dbacks 9
7/24.....7:20.... Muckrakers vs. Blockheads, Field 1

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Schedule, results

4/10....7:20....The Guys 21, Muckrakers (0-1) 15
4/17....6:15.... Dianda Plaza 15, Muckrakers (0-2) 13
5/1......8:25.... Ohm Boys 17, Muckrakers (0-3) 14
5/8......8:25.... 1SBP 22, Muckrakers (0-4) 11
5/15.....7:20.... Bash Brothers 18, Muckrakers (0-5) 12
5/29.....6:15.... The Guys def. Muckrakers (0-6), forfeit
6/5.......8:25.... Muckrakers (1-6) 20, Dianda Plaza 11
6/12.....9:30.... Muckrakers (2-6) 14, WHP/Dbacks 3
6/19.....6:15.... Ohm Boys 25, Muckrakers (2-7) 22
7/10.....9:30.... 1SBP def. Muckrakers (2-8), forfeit
7/17.....7:20.... WHP/Dbacks vs. Muckrakers, Field 4
7/24.....7:20.... Muckrakers vs. Blockheads, Field 1

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Muckrakers back in action Thursday

CONCORD -- After taking an extended Fourth of July break to celebrate the establishment of our country -- and, by extension,  softball -- the Muckrakers finally take to the field again Thursday for a 9:30 tilt on Field 2.

Perhaps the break came at a bad time for the Rakers, winners of two of their past three games. The Men of Muck are coming off a loss, but a loss of some distinction, a 25-22 thriller to Ohm Boys on June 19. This one had trouble written all over it, as it was one of those dreaded 6:15 affairs. In past, the Rakemeisters have been hard-pressed just to field a team and avoid forfeit, with winning the damn game almost a secondary concern.

Manager Matt Knauff did an admirable job of scrambling and recruiting on the run, resulting in a nine-player turnout, which included a rookie, Mike Lopez, making his Muckraker debut.

Then there was the matter of actually playing the game. Things did not look so swell when the Ohm Boys came right out and scored seven runs in the top of the first inning and added eight more runs in the second and 10 more in the third.

But the Muckrakers responded with some heavy hitting of their own, batting around in the second and third innings.

Each of the Muckrakers contributed to the 24-hit offense, but the exploits of Matt McCall stood out. All the No. 3 hitter did was go 4 for 4, smacking a three-run homer, two triples and a single. He drove in an astounding seven runs and scored five times himself. Have a game, Matt McCall.

Such was the output on this evening that McCall was far from the only star. Leadoff man Ben Enos went 5 for 5 with five runs scored and Knauff, in the two hole, had four hits, four RBI and four runs scored.

The list of fellow contributors was strong:

-- Lopez, in his initial Raker at-bat, lashed an RBI single and ended up going 2 for 4;

-- Dave Alcorn, continuing his comeback tour, went 2 for 2 and drove in two runs;

-- Chris Wagnon, Dave Taxier and Paul Knauff all had two hits apiece;

-- Justin Boyd drove in two runs and pitched admirable long relief, taking over when a shakey Taxier decided he'd had enough.

It was certainly a memorable game, even considering it was a loss, and yer Rakers would do well to carry over the spirit of this one into the season's final three regular-season contests.

Statistics

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

Dave Alcorn...........................5....2....5....5.... 1.000 

Matt Anderson......................19....4....8....5.... .420

Scott Brama.........................15....9....9....7.... .600

Justin Boyd...........................18....8....8....9.... .444

Ben Enos..............................12...10...10....1.... .833

Reed Johnson.......................22....3....8....5.... .363

John Kavenaugh....................29....9...13....9.... .448

Matt Knauff...........................32...17...19...17.... .593

Paul Knauff.............................8....6....4....5.... .500

Mike Kristoff...........................4....1....2....0.... .500

Eric Leithliter...........................1....1....0....0.... .000

Mike Lopez...............................4....2....2....1.... 500

Matt McCall............................22...12...15...17.... .682

Marshall Murray......................21....8...14...11....  .667

Randy Striegel..........................6....3....1....3.... .167

Dave Taxier ...........................25...10...10....8.... .400

Chris Wagnon.........................26...11...11....4.... .423

Chris White.............................15....6...10....5.... .667

Totals..................................284..121..149..116.. .525

Schedule, results

4/10....7:20....The Guys 21, Muckrakers (0-1) 15
4/17....6:15.... Dianda Plaza 15, Muckrakers (0-2) 13
5/1......8:25.... Ohm Boys 17, Muckrakers (0-3) 14
5/8......8:25.... 1SBP 22, Muckrakers (0-4) 11
5/15.....7:20.... Bash Brothers 18, Muckrakers (0-5) 12
5/29.....6:15.... The Guys def. Muckrakers (0-6), forfeit
6/5.......8:25.... Muckrakers (1-6) 20, Dianda Plaza 11
6/12.....9:30.... Muckrakers (2-6) 14, WHP/Dbacks 3
6/19.....6:15.... Ohm Boys 25, Muckrakers (2-7) 22
7/10.....9:30.... Muckrakers vs. 1SBP, Field 2
7/17.....7:20.... WHP/Dbacks vs. Muckrakers, Field 4
7/24.....7:20.... Muckrakers vs. Blockheads, Field 1

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Statistics

..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave
Dave Alcorn...........................3....0....3....3.... 1.000 

Matt Anderson......................19....4....8....5.... .420

Scott Brama.........................15....9....9....7.... .600

Justin Boyd...........................15....8....7....7.... .467
Ben Enos.................................7....5....5....0.... .714

Reed Johnson.......................22....3....8....5.... .363

John Kavenaugh....................29....9...13....9.... .448

Matt Knauff...........................27...13...15...17.... .555
Paul Knauff.............................3....4....2....3.... .667
Mike Kristoff...........................4....1....2....0.... .500
Eric Leithliter...........................1....1....0....0.... .000
Matt McCall............................18....7...11...10.... .611

Marshall Murray......................21....8...14...11....  .667
Randy Striegel..........................6....3....1....3.... .167
Dave Taxier ...........................21....9....8....7.... .381

Chris Wagnon.........................21...10....9....2.... .429

Chris White.............................15....6...10....5.... .667

Totals..................................247..99..125..94... .506

Schedule, results

4/10....7:20....The Guys 21, Muckrakers (0-1) 15
4/17....6:15.... Dianda Plaza 15, Muckrakers (0-2) 13
5/1......8:25.... Ohm Boys 17, Muckrakers (0-3) 14
5/8......8:25.... 1SBP 22, Muckrakers (0-4) 11
5/15.....7:20.... Bash Brothers 18, Muckrakers (0-5) 12
5/29.....6:15.... The Guys def. Muckrakers (0-6), forfeit
6/5.......8:25.... Muckrakers (1-6) 20, Dianda Plaza 11
6/12.....9:30.... Muckrakers (2-6) 14, WHP/Dbacks 3
6/19.....6:15.... Ohm Boys vs. Muckrakers, Field 3
7/10.....9:30.... Muckrakers vs. 1SBP, Field 2
7/17.....7:20.... WHP/Dbacks vs. Muckrakers, Field 4
7/24.....7:20.... Muckrakers vs. Blockheads, Field 1

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Stop the presses -- Muckrakers win their first, beat Dianda Plaza

CONCORD --- You didn't seriously believe the Muckrakers would go the entire 2014 Summer League and not win a single game, did you? Oh. I see. Well, then.

The doubters, then, can just go and do something horribly forceful to themselves, because the 'Rakers did indeed capture their first contest of the '14, a 20-11 thrashing of old friends and fellow asphalt dominators Dianda Plaza 20-11 on Thursday on Field 1.

For such a momentous occasion, this one was fairly drama-free, although shaky starting pitcher Dave Taxier did his best to keep it from being a 'Raker rout as he battled a case of mid-game wildness. But the Men of Muck more than compensated with multiple-run outbursts in three of the five innings played.

Manager Matt Knauff helped erase that big, ol' goose egg in the 'W' column with an ultra-clutch six-RBI game off his three hits. Leadoff man John Kavenaugh also excelled in driving in three runs, and Matt Andeson and Matt McCall also plated a pair of runs apiece as the top of the batting order inflicted its special brand of pain to the Dianda defense.

Emphasizing that this was a team effort all the way, No. 10 hitter Paul Knauff was a big contributor in his 'Rakers season debut with a stat line that included two hits, three RBIs and four runs scored.

The Muckrakers came back with just the right response following a forfeit. This team isn't going away. We come to play.

Statistics

..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave
Dave Alcorn.............................3....0....3....3.... 1.000 

Matt Anderson.......................15....4....7....5.... .467

Scott Brama...........................15....9....9....7.... .600

Justin Boyd..............................15....8....7....7.... .467
Ben Enos....................................3....2....2....0.... .667

Reed Johnson..........................18....2....7....5.... .389

John Kavenaugh......................25....8...11....7.... .440

Matt Knauff.............................23...11...12...14.... .522
Paul Knauff.................................3....4....2....3.... .667
Mike Kristoff.............................4....1....2....0.... .500
Eric Leithliter............................1....1....0....0.... .000
Matt McCall............................14....6....9...10.... .643

Marshall Murray......................17....7...13....9....  .765
Randy Striegel............................3....2....0....1.... .000
Dave Taxier ............................17....7....6....4.... .353

Chris Wagnon.........................17....7....7....1.... .412

Chris White.............................15....6...10....5.... .667

Totals..................................208..85..107..81... .514

Schedule, results

4/10....7:20....The Guys 21, Muckrakers (0-1) 15
4/17....6:15.... Dianda Plaza 15, Muckrakers (0-2) 13
5/1......8:25.... Ohm Boys 17, Muckrakers (0-3) 14
5/8......8:25.... 1SBP 22, Muckrakers (0-4) 11
5/15.....7:20.... Bash Brothers 18, Muckrakers (0-5) 12
5/29.....6:15.... The Guys def. Muckrakers (0-6), forfeit
6/5.......8:25.... Muckrakers (1-6) 20, Dianda Plaza 11
6/12.....9:30.... Muckrakers vs. WHP/Dbacks, Field 2
6/19.....6:15.... Ohm Boys vs. Muckrakers, Field 3
7/10.....9:30.... Muckrakers vs. 1SBP, Field 2
7/17.....7:20.... WHP/Dbacks vs. Muckrakers, Field 4
7/24.....7:20.... Muckrakers vs. Blockheads, Field 1

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Schedule, results

4/10....7:20....The Guys 21, Muckrakers (0-1) 15
4/17....6:15.... Dianda Plaza 15, Muckrakers (0-2) 13
5/1......8:25.... Ohm Boys 17, Muckrakers (0-3) 14
5/8......8:25.... 1SBP 22, Muckrakers (0-4) 11
5/15.....7:20.... Bash Brothers 18, Muckrakers (0-5) 12
5/29.....6:15....  The Guys def. Muckrakers (0-6), forfeit
6/5.......8:25.... Dianda Plaza vs. Muckrakers, Field 1
6/12.....9:30.... Muckrakers vs. WHP/Dbacks, Field 2
6/19.....6:15.... Ohm Boys vs. Muckrakers, Field 3
7/10.....9:30.... Muckrakers vs. 1SBP, Field 2
7/17.....7:20.... WHP/Dbacks vs. Muckrakers, Field 4
7/24.....7:20.... Muckrakers vs. Blockheads, Field 1

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Bold, unbowed Muckrakers beaten by Bash Brothers

CONCORD -- This reporter is not a huge fan of byes, but sometimes even this curmudgeon must admit that a bit of time off for a little rest and reflection can be a good thing.

After a week off  to contemplate the first five games of the Muckrakers summer league of 2014,  one has reached this conclusion:

Yikes!

Yikes,  as in the Mighty Mucksters remain as game and able as always but resume play Thursday with an 0-5 mark after absorbing an 18-12 setback to the Bash Brothers on Field 3.

The Men of Muck scored in every inning of this one while limiting the BB to goose eggs in the second, third and sixth frames.  But the Bashers also put up a six-spot in the first and an eight-spot in the fourth, which the slightly undermanned Muckrakers had a hard time dealing with.

This game was perhaps most notable for the return of two much-missed long-time Muckraker veterans. Again taking the field were Randy Striegel and Dave Alcorn,  and it sure did a weary heart good to have them back in the lineup again. Good to see you back lads, and let's make a habit of it. Don't be a stranger.

You know what else can be a habit? Winning can be -- and so can losing. This spirited Muckraker bunch, well-rested after its bye week, is ready to fall back into the right kind of habit.

Statistics

..........................................AB...R...H...RBI.. Ave
Dave Alcorn.............................3....0....3....3.... 1.000 

Matt Anderson.......................11....2....5....3.... .455

Scott Brama...........................15....9....9....7.... .600

Justin Boyd..............................14....8....7....6.... .500

Reed Johnson..........................15....1....6....4.... .400

John Kavenaugh......................20....6....9....4.... .450

Matt Knauff.............................19....9....9....8.... .474
Mike Kristoff.............................4....1....2....0.... .500
Eric Leithliter............................1....1....0....0.... .000
Matt McCall............................11....5....6....8.... .546

Marshall Murray......................17....7...13....9....  .765
Randy Striegel............................3....2....0....1.... .000
Dave Taxier ............................14....4....6....4.... .429

Chris Wagnon.........................14....4....6....1.... .429

Chris White.............................15....6...10....5.... .667

Totals..................................176..65..91..63... .517

Schedule, results

4/10....7:20....The Guys 21, Muckrakers (0-1) 15
4/17....6:15.... Dianda Plaza 15, Muckrakers (0-2) 13
5/1......8:25.... Ohm Boys 17, Muckrakers (0-3) 14
5/8......8:25.... 1SBP 22, Muckrakers (0-4) 11
5/15.....7:20.... Bash Brothers 18, Muckrakers (0-5) 12
5/29.....6:15.... Muckrakers vs. The Guys, Field 1
6/5.......8:25.... Dianda Plaza vs. Muckrakers, Field 1
6/12.....9:30.... Muckrakers vs. WHP/Dbacks, Field 2
6/19.....6:15.... Ohm Boys vs. Muckrakers, Field 3
7/10.....9:30.... Muckrakers vs. 1SBP, Field 2
7/17.....7:20.... WHP/Dbacks vs. Muckrakers, Field 4
7/24.....7:20.... Muckrakers vs. Blockheads, Field 1

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord

Muckrakers doubled up by 1SBP 22-11

CONCORD -- You'd figure 12 walks and a couple of major clouts would be enough to spell victory for the Muckrakers, but not much has gone according to plan in this whacked-out 2014 summer league campaign.

The Muckrakers drew a dozen free passes -- and probably should have had much more, if not for some dubious pitch calls -- in last Thursday's 22-11 loss to 1SBP on Field 1.

Also, Matt Anderson launched a couple of major blasts over the fence -- the problem being those count as outs in D league. One of these blows came with the bases loaded, so no telling how many runs the Rakers would have scored had they had been playing on an unfenced field.

Oh well, woulda, shoulda. The fact is, the Mucksters are on a losing streak and need a win in the worst way. This reporter is pressed for time and will write no more on this game, but suffice it to say we eagerly await the opportunity to write up win No. 1.

Statistics

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

Matt Anderson.......................11....2....5....3.... .455

Scott Brama...........................15....9....9....7.... .600

Justin Boyd..............................13....4....6....5.... .462

Reed Johnson..........................11....1....3....2.... .272

John Kavenaugh................ .....16....5....8....4.... .500

Matt Knauff........................ ....14....8....7....6.... .500
Mike Kristoff.............................4....1....2....0.... .500
Eric Leithliter............................1....1....0....0.... .000
Matt McCall.............................8....4....4....7.... .500

Marshall Murray......................13....6...10....8....  .769
Dave Taxier ............................11....3....5....4.... .455

Chris Wagnon.........................10....3....5....1.... .500

Chris White.............................15....6...10....5.... .667

Totals..................................142..53..74..52... .521

Schedule, results

4/10....7:20....The Guys 21, Muckrakers (0-1) 15
4/17....6:15.... Dianda Plaza 15, Muckrakers (0-2) 13
5/1......8:25.... Ohm Boys 17, Muckrakers (0-3) 14
5/8......8:25.... 1SBP 22, Muckrakers (0-4) 11
5/15.....7:20.... Bash Brothers vs. Muckrakers, Field 3
5/29.....6:15.... Muckrakers vs. The Guys, Field 1
6/5.......8:25.... Dianda Plaza vs. Muckrakers, Field 1
6/12.....9:30.... Muckrakers vs. WHP/Dbacks, Field 2
6/19.....6:15.... Ohm Boys vs. Muckrakers, Field 3
7/10.....9:30.... Muckrakers vs. 1SBP, Field 2
7/17.....7:20.... WHP/Dbacks vs. Muckrakers, Field 4
7/24.....7:20.... Muckrakers vs. Blockheads, Field 1

All games at Willow Pass Park, Concord