Dodos Scalp Indians!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

The Dodos jumped out to an early lead against the Indians, sending 16 to the plate in the first inning, scoring 11 runs on eight hits and five errors. Chris Hems continued his dominance of league pitching when a pop up fell in for a single. Two batters later, Troy Warn, Sr. extended his hit streak to nine games with an RBI single. An error by the Indians' short stop would put runners at the corners for Chris Hoffman. Hoffman executed a picture perfect squeeze play, giving the Dodos a 5-0 lead. With two outs, a 2-RBI double by Shane Shoemaker and an RBI double by Hems helped give the Dodos the 11-0 lead after the first half of the first inning. The Indians would counter with four runs via two hits, a walk, a hit batter and two Dodos' errors. The Dodos led 11-4 after one inning.

The second inning started the same for the Indians when Albert Hernandez hit a lead off double followed by an RBI single by Hoffman. RBI singles from Rick Jarakian and Dustin Burke along with a sac fly by Jason Butter and an RBI double hit by Sr. helped extend the Dodos' lead to 18-4. Shaun Stephans was on the hill for the Dodos, and he continued to have trouble finding the strike zone in the second inning, walking three, hitting one and giving up a 2-RBI double to the Indians to close the gap, 18-7 after two complete.

The Dodos scored another eight runs in the third inning, after a dropped third strike put the lead off runner on base. A walk, ground out and hit batter brought up Shane with one out. Shane hit an 0-2 fastball into left, scoring Hoffman. Three straight singles after Shane's would prompt an Indians' pitching change. The new pitcher walked Sr. on four straight pitches before serving up a double to Andy Gerber which scored two more runs. Stephans would face only four batters in the third, allowing one hit and striking out one. The Dodos were cruising 26-7.

The bottom of the fourth saw Stephans unravel on the mound. After a lead off walk to the ninth batter, he hit the next batter on a 2-2 count, then walked the next hitter, loading the bases with no outs. Two more consecutive singles and another walk would chase Stephens out of the game. The Dodos would turn to Shane for relief. Shane would hit the first batter faced, allowed a walk and a single before retiring the side on the three straight called strikes to the number ten hitter. At the end of four innings, the Dodos lead 26-14.

Dodos Baseball would score three more runs on two walks, an RBI double by Burke and an RBI single hit by Sr. Shane would get two quick outs in the bottom of the fifth before giving up a walk and a single, surrendering a run. A runner caught stealing third would end the game, giving the Dodos a 29-15 victory in five innings.

Fantasy Performances of the Day: Shoemaker 2-3 (5R, 3RBI, 2B, 2SB, HB, BB, K); Burke 4-5 (4R, 5RBI, 2B); Hems 3-3 (5R, 2RBI, 2BB, SB); Butter 2-4 (2R, 3RBI, SF, SB); Sr. 3-3 (3R, 3RBI, 2B, 2BB); A.Gerber 3-4 (R, 5RBI, 2 2B, BB); Hernandez 1-4 (2R, 2RBI, 2B, SF); Hoffman 1-4 (2R, 2RBI, SacBunt, SB, 2K); Stephans 2-3 (2R, RBI, BB); Jarakian 1-3 (2R, RBI, HB); K. Gerber 0-1 (R, HB).
Stephans (ND) 3IP, 13R, 10ER, 6H, 7BB, 3HB, 2K; Shoemaker (W) 2IP, 2R, 2ER, 2H, 2BB, HB, 2K

Dodos Anglers in the Money!

Saturday, May 15, 2010
The team of Luigi Lucas and Brian Vasey finished in the money, taking tenth place in the Angler's Choice Region 2 Tournament held at Lake Casitas Night Trail.

The field consisted of 33 teams. Lucas and Vasey caught the five fish limit with a total of 18.46 pounds and a big fish weighing in at 6.19 pounds.

Dodos Roller Hockey Winless!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Wings had a 1-0 lead when Dylan Mlcoch passed the puck ahead to Jason Hibarger who had his first shot blocked, only to poke the rebound in for the tie (9:33). The Wings would regain the lead just 33 seconds later, only to be tied again when Brian Silvey scored a rebound goal after Matt Marsh's shot was blocked (13:45). The game was tied 2-2 at the first intermission.

After a near miss that hit the crossbar, Shane Linnenberger found Silvey breaking to the goal and completed the pass. Silvey flipped the puck over the goalie's shoulder for the goal (10:39). The Wings would tie the game at three apiece with 31 seconds left in the second period.

Both teams pelted the goals with shots (13 each) but were unsuccessful until Hibarger and Mlcoch skated the length of the court, passing back and forth twice, then Mlcoch scored (6:23). The Wings would score two unanswered goals from a substitute player to take the lead and seal the victory. The Dodos lost a close one, surrendering the game winning goal with just 2:18 left in the game.

Fantasy Performances of the Day: Silvey 2G; Marsh 1A; Hibarger 1G, 1A; Shane 1A; Dylan 1G, 1A; Breithaupt 1Pen. 2 Min. Tripping; Big Chris 25SV

Dodos to Mothers...Sorry!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

A windy Mother's Day at The Master's College would prove fruitful for home run connoisseurs, but not for the Dodos. They lost 16-4 in just over two hours and 7 2/3 innings of play to the first place River Cats.

The Dodos would lead the game off with a strikeout before shortstop Dustin Burke singled a 2-0 pitch to the outfield. With Burke on first and one away, into the batter's box stepped the hottest Dodo hitter, Chris "Hitman" Hems. Hems watched the first pitch go outside for ball one before launching his second home run of the season, a two-run shot to left. Jason Butter singled next, sending left fielder Matty Lane to the plate. Lane would jump on the first pitch, smashing a line drive in the gap, scoring Butter and landing himself on third with a triple. Lane would score on catcher Andy Gerber's single before the Dodos were retired. It was a great start to the game as the Dodos took an early 4-0 lead with the River Cats coming up. Shane Shoemaker took the hill for the Dodos, getting the lead off hitter to pop up to first base. Shoemaker struck out the next batter before the Dodos employed their classic defensive strategy of committing errors. As the wind picked up, the ball was hit high to left field. Lane was scrambling all around left, trying to track the ever changing flight of the ball in the high velocity Valencia winds. The ball just hit the tip of Lane's glove, allowing the runner to get to second on an error. The 'Cats cleanup hitter doubled off the wall, plating the unearned run before a ground out to Butter at third base. After one inning, the Dodos were ahead, 4-1.

Albert Hernandez would draw a walk to begin the second inning, advancing to second on Chris Hoffman's slow dribbler back to the pitcher. With Hernandez in scoring position, Shoemaker singled to left field and Hernandez tried to score. The left fielder hit the cutoff man, who threw a perfect strike to the catcher, nailing Hernandez at the plate. Burke would hit his second single of the day, putting runners at the corners with two out. Hems hit a deep shot to left center, sending the 'Cats player to the wall to make the catch for the third out. The home half of the inning was opened with a single followed by a comebacker to Shoemaker, who made an errant throw, allowing both runners to be safe and putting himself in a real bind. He left a 1-0 pitch up in the zone, resulting in a three-run home run to tie the game at 4-4. Shoemaker retired the next three batters in order to end the inning.

Both pitchers recorded 1-2-3 innings in the third, Shoemaker's via just six pitches. Still tied 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth with two outs and bases loaded, the 'Cats pitcher would hit an RBI single, giving himself the lead 5-4.

With one out in the top of the fifth, Hems and Butter hit back-to-back singles. Lane hit a ground ball to the second baseman. He fielded the ball cleanly and tossed to the shortstop to start the double play, but Lane beat the throw to first. Not seeing the play and apparently thinking there were three outs, Hems rounded third base and started walking home. The first baseman threw the ball to the catcher, who proceeded to tag Hems for the third out.

The sixth inning was nothing to write about, save the single by Sr. to extend his hitting streak to all eight games of the season. The Dodos gave up six more runs in the bottom half. Shoemaker appeared to be out of gas, leaving the ball up, surrendering five hits.

The 'Cats would also tack on three more runs in the seventh after Shaun Stephans came on in relief and gave up a towering home run to the first batter faced. "I've never seen a ball hit that hard," said Hems. It was a blast. Stephans walked two and gave up another single before being relieved by Ken Gerber. Ken would give up a single before retiring the 'Cats to end the seventh.

The only bright spot the Dodos saw the rest of the game was a third hit by Burke, going 3-4 with his mother on-hand to watch on her day. Ken would give up a solo home run to the first batter of the inning. With the 12-run mercy rule lurking ever so close (15-4), Ken got a ground ball out to Burke at short, gave up a single to the lead off hitter, who advanced to second on a pass ball by Andy. Ken got the second hitter to pop up to second before walking the next batter. A single to right field on the next pitch scored the runner from second, ending the game with the mercy rule. The Dodos record is 2-6 for the season.

Fantasy Performances of the Day: Shoemaker 1-4 (3K, E); Burke 3-4 (R, K, E); Hems 2-4 (R, 2RBI, 2-R HR); Butter 2-4 (R, E); Lane 1-3 (R, RBI, 3B, K, E); A. Gerber 1-3 (RBI); Sr. 1-3; Psuedo Charles 1-3 (K); Hernandez 0-2 (BB, K); Hoffman 1-3, Stephans 0-1 (K); Jarakian 0-1 (K). Shoemaker (L) 6IP, 11R, 7ER, 9H, 3BB, 2HB, 7K, 3-R HR; Stephans .1IP, 3R, 3ER, 2H, 2BB, HR; K. Gerber 1.1IP, 2R, 2ER, 5H, 2BB, HR

Eighth on the 8th!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

The Dodos Angling team was in action Saturday as Bubba Proctor fired up the bass boat and looked to tame Lake Piru. Bubba caught his five fish limit, totaling just over ten pounds. That was just enough weight to secure eighth place. Better luck next time Bubba!

Lightning Strikes Thrice!

Thursday, May 6, 2010
The game started out rather slowly. For the first four minutes, it was a defense lover's dream skate. Both teams did manage to attempt a few shots, most veering wide of the opponent's net until 8:05 when the big semi-truck looking guy on the Lightning trickled the puck by Big Chris for the game's first goal. Another Lightning goal quickly followed merely seconds after the face off at 8:31. Trailing 2-0, Pat Henninger skated the puck into the Lightning zone, flipped it off the wall by the oncoming defender and beat him to the puck to shoot off the back off the Lightning goalie's skate for a goal (9:36). Still ahead 2-1, the Lightning pelted Chris with an onslaught of shots in the final minutes of the period, only to be turned away each time. To reward Chris for his duties, the Dodos tied the game when Jason Hibarger dished a pass into the Lightning zone to Brian Silvey. Silvey beat the goalie over the shoulder to score (12:44, assist Hibarger).

With the score even at 2-2, the Lightning continued to bombard Chris with shots, amassing 14 total shots in the second period compared to just nine for the Dodos. Chris made two great saves in a row before surrendering a cheap goal to #0 (Frankenstein on skates). Not only was it a cheap goal, but Chris' stick also broke on the play. The Dodos would answer with almost three continuous minutes of pressure in the Lightning zone, but ultimately managing only one shot on goal. The Lightning added a fourth goal (11:28) before #12 shoved Henninger into the boards, drawing a two-minute penalty for boarding. The Dodos would keep the puck in the Lightning zone for most of the power play, however, they only took one shot on goal. Again. Down 4-2 with 27 seconds remaining in the period, Hibarger was nabbed for a holding penalty.

The Lightning capitalized on the power play to start the third, scoring a mere 29 seconds into the period. The Lightning would chip in two more goals (4:00, 4:33) before the Dodos would score their third goal, which was setup when Matt Marsh stole the puck, passed to Silvey, who deeked the defender before sending a wrister into the net (10:59, assist Marsh). The Lightning would score again at 13:06 to close out the game, dropping the Dodos to 0-4 for the season.

Fantasy Performances of the Day: Henninger 1G; Silvey 2G; Hibarger 1A, 1PEN; Marsh 1A, Big Chris 30SV

Can't be any Geek off the Street!

Sunday, May 2, 2010
Apparently the PCBL Regulators Baseball team has never heard the song made popular in the mid-90s by Warren G and Nate Dogg. Their team was overflowing with a cornucopia of douches, geeks and creeps. This team is as Bush League as it gets, right down to their softball looking jerseys and clipart infested logo. They used a trick play, took walks and stole bases up ten runs and nearly caused a bench clearing brawl while personally attacking the Dodos' players.

The game started with a Regulator single by lead off hitter, Tyler Thompson. Thompson stole second on the next pitch. A ground ball out to Dodos' short stop, Dustin Burke, advanced the runner to third. Rob Blank's sacrifice fly to left fielder Matty Lane provided the game's first run. Dodos' starting pitcher, Shane Shoemaker would walk the next hitter, hit the next batter, then get a fly out to center, where Chris Hems made short work of the out. Trailing 1-0, Shoemaker would lead off for the Dodos, lining a 1-2 fastball into center for a single. Shoemaker would steal second during Burke's at-bat, before Burke struck out. Hems would draw a walk, then Jason Butter struck out, leaving runners on first and second for Lane. Lane fouled off two pitches before grounding an 0-2 pitch to second, who forced Hems out with a toss to the shortstop. Dodos were losing after the first inning, 1-0.

The Dodos would get an easy 1-2-3 second inning, bringing Troy Warn, Sr. to the plate to lead off the home half. Sr. would battle to a full count before lining out to right field. Then, third baseman Charles Dethloff stepped in the box and drew a walk, bringing up Albert Hernandez. Hernandez singled to center, advancing Dethloff to third. After going to the cages just about every day of the week leading up to the game, Chris Hoffman stepped to the plate and dropped a perfect sacrifice bunt with one strike on him, scoring Dethloff from third. Ken Gerber would ground out to end the inning tied at 1-1.

It wouldn't be Dodos Baseball without one inning that completely destroys the game, and the third inning was just that. Shoemaker threw ground ball after ground ball, but the Dodos' defense offered no support, committing six errors in the inning, leading to ten unearned runs and putting the team in a gigantic hole. The Dodos would chip away at the 11-1 deficit in the bottom half of the inning. Designated Hitter Rick Jarakian was hit with the first pitch, setting Hoffman up to come on and run for him. Hoffman promptly stole second on the ensuing first pitch to Shoemaker. Shane would strike out this at-bat, but Hoffman would steal third. Burke hit a single to score Hoffman and set up Hems with an RBI opportunity when he advanced to second on the short stop's errant throw. Hems smashed a 3-1 fastball, burning the center fielder and allowing Hems to end up at third base with an RBI triple. Butter would then double to left, easily scoring Hems. The next batter (Lane) would get hit by the pitch, then Sr. would be called out on a low, outside, controversial third strike before Dethloff was also hit. With the bases loaded and two out, Hernandez belted a 2-2 RBI single, scoring Butter before Hoffman popped up to end the inning. The Dodos trailed 11-5 after three complete.

The Regulators would add three more runs via two doubles and a 2-run home run by the pitcher Kris Domaradzki. The Dodos would go quietly in the fourth, getting just one base runner and stranding him at second.

Down 14-5 to start the fifth, the Dodos called on Sr. to offer some pitching relief. Facing the lead off batter, Sr. got a routine pop up to right field that started drifting foul. Hernandez just overran the ball, dropping the attempted catch in foul territory, giving the hitter another chance. The next pitch would fall into shallow center for a single. That runner would score two batters later when Hems misplayed a tricky hop in center field. Hernandez would redeem himself, making a full diving catch in shallow right to save a run. The top of the inning ended when a line drive went screaming up the middle towards Sr.'s head, which he calmly snagged out of the air for the final out. Now down 16-5, the Dodos tried to mount a comeback with two outs when Lane hit the first pitch he saw for a single. Sr. would draw a four pitch walk and Dethloff fouled off a few pitches with the count full before getting ball four. It was a perfect scenario for the much coveted two-out rally, bases loaded, two down, pitcher having trouble throwing strikes. Perfect. Hernandez popped the first pitch up to shallow center, ending the chance for a rally, bailing out the Regulators' pitcher and stranding the bases loaded.

Ken Gerber would relieve to start the sixth. Ken was welcomed into the game by the Regulators with a lead off single. Now, if you've read this far, congratulations, you're in for a treat! Ken threw a perfect pickoff attempt to first, which Tony Ross caught and quickly applied the tag well before the runner got back to the bag. The umpire must have been asleep because it wasn't really close, but somehow he felt compelled to call the runner safe. Whoops! Leading 16-5, this douchebag not only steals second, but third as well (Bush League offense #1)! Ken nailed down the next three batters, getting one to fly out to right, striking out the next batter looking and getting a ground out to third, which Ross apparently applied a tag to the runner after already touching first base. Maybe it was retaliation for the two stolen bases or quite possibly just to make sure the umpire saw the out, either way, the Regulators' dugout was in an uproar, to which the umpires rapidly told them to let it go.

With tension mounting, Hoffman stepped into the box to lead off. He laced a single to bring up Ken. Hoffman loves to talk, so he proceeded to strike up a conversation with the field umpire. So preoccupied with his conversation, Hoffman started to take his lead off first base, not noticing the Regulators' pitcher standing on the grass rather than the dirt of the mound. The first baseman tagged Hoffman out, utilizing the legendary little league tactic known simply as the "hidden ball trick" (Bush League offense #2). Hoffman was irate about the incident and the casual convo with the ump turned into a "blame game", with Hoffman trying to convince Gary that it was a balk and Gary shouldn't be talking to him and what not. After the Dodos managed to wrangle Hoffman into the dugout, it was finally time for Ken's at-bat. Ken popped the second pitch he saw straight up to the pitcher, tossing his bat in disgust, which some how made it's way onto the field about ten feet from the pitcher, inciting the usual banter, "Hey! What's up with that? Blah blah blah." You get the picture. Still upset at the use of the trick play, Hoffman started yelling at the pitcher and then Burke chimed in on his counterpart at short stop, all while Ken took a long walk and talk back to the dugout. Needless to say, the Regulators had had enough. The 52 year-old right fielder came sprinting in to give Hoffman his two cents, but all he could muster was, "Look at your hair man! Look how long your hair is!" (Bush League offense #3) Hoffman laughed it off, as did the rest of the Dodos who were on the field to protect their fellow teammates from the whole Regulator team who was now just feet away from the Hoffman, Burke and Ken. After all the hot air and people hiding behind other people, the plate umpire issued a "blanket" warning to both teams, telling them not to say another derogatory word to the other.

With the game back on track, Jarakian was up to bat with two outs. Jarakian sent a chopper between first base and the mound, which was fielded cleaning by the pitcher, who then ran to first to finish the play unassisted and outrun Rick as if to send a message. As Rick headed back to the dugout, the Regulators taunted him with,"Get some pants that fit!" and "Fatass!" (Bush League offense #4) None of this was heard by the warning giving umpire, as he was engaged in a conversation with none other than, yep, you guessed it, Chris Hoffman. So, the game went on.

Ken opened the seventh inning with a walk and wouldn't you know it, that creep stole second and third! How Bush League! But it doesn't stop there, the next batter would wait out a walk with an 11 run lead and then he stole second. The next batter should probably has worn the ball in the ear, but Ken gave him a pitch to hit and he hit a sac fly to left. Chris Hems would come in from center field to make his pitching debut with two outs. He responded with a full count hit batter, leaving the Dodos in a real bind, having used all available pitchers (Shaun Stephans was absent). Shoemaker was reluctantly reinserted as pitcher, and he gave up a single, double and hit two batters before the Dodos recorded the third out.

Now down 21-5, the Dodos tried one last ditch effort to save face and close the gap. Shoemaker drew a lead off walk, then Burke hit a grounder between the legs of the SHORT stop. Hems would bat next and be called out on another controversial third strike. Butter would single Shane home next. Then, following a pop up to short and in typical baseball movie drama fashion, Sr. stepped up to the plate with his six game hitting streak on the line. Wouldn't you know it, just like the movies, Sr. hit and RBI single, scoring Burke. Dethloff would smash the next pitch to the wall, plating Butter and Sr. With four runs across, two outs and a runner on second, Hernandez once again stepped into the batter's box. He took the first pitch for a strike before flying out to center to end the inning and the game as both the 12 run mercy rule and time limit were both reached.

Fantasy Performances of the Day: Shoemaker 1-3 (R, BB, K, 2SB); Burke 1-4 (2R, K, E); Hems 1-3 (R, 2RBI, BB, K, 3B, E); Butter 2-4 (2R, 2RBI, 2B, K); Lane 1-3 (HB); Sr. 1-3 (R, BB, K); Dethloff 1-1 (R, 2RBI, 2B, 2BB, HB, 3E); Hernandez 2-4 (RBI, E); Hoffman 1-2 (RBI, Sac Bunt, 2SB, CS, 2E); K. Gerber 0-3 (K), Jarakian 0-2 (R, HB). Shoemaker L (4.1IP, 15R, 5ER, 11H, 2BB, 3HB, 2K, 2-R HR); Sr. (1IP, 2R, 1ER, 3H); K. Gerber (1.2IP, 4R, 3ER, H, 3BB, K); Hems (0IP, R, ER, HB)