Dodos Drop the Ball and Game!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

The Dodos winning streak to start the fall season ended at two when they played the Breakers at "The" Master's College. With the temperature well into the triple digits, the Dodos caught a break in the first inning when the Breakers' right fielder overran a pop up hit by Eddie Knipps, putting Knipps on first via error. Then Rich Ortiz stepped to the plate and smashed a 1-2 pitch into deep left-center (that would have cleared the fence for a homerun, had there been a fence), scoring Knipps. Ortiz ended up at third with a triple, scoring on Sal D'Angelo's single two pitches later. Matty Lane continued his hitting streak, plating Sal and giving the Dodos an early 3-0 lead.

Jason Colegrove (0-1) made the trip to the college he is currently attending and made his Dodos' pitching debut, which was spoiled with seven Dodos' fielding errors, three of which happened in the bottom of the first inning, leading to three Breakers' runs, tying the game at 3-3.

The Dodos would be retired in order to start the second, then commit two errors in the bottom half of the inning, surrendering two more unearned runs, giving the Breakers a 5-3 lead.

An uneventful third inning yielded one Dodo runner stranded on one hit, a single by Knipps. The Breakers added a run to increase the lead to 6-3. But the Dodos would answer back with a solo homerun over the left field fence that Chris Hoffman reached out and pulled, giving Sloth his second hit of the game. Leading 6-4, the Breakers added two more runs on three hits including a triple to deep left-center.

Trailing 8-4, the Dodos' hitters managed just four baserunners over the next three innings, all of whom were left stranded on base. In fact, the Dodos didn't get a hit in those three innings, but on the bright side, the runners all drew walks!

The breakers added a ninth run in the sixth inning, closing the book on Colegrove (6IP, 4ER, 10H, BB, 6K), who left the game in-line for the loss in his first game of the season.

Also making his pitching debut for the Dodos was Jason Orona. Orona entered the game in the bottom of the seventh in relief, and he walked the first batter he faced. He got the next batter to hit a ground ball to third, which was thrown away by Jason Butter. The next batter hit a deep, flyball to center fielder Matty Lane. Lane had the ball go off his glove for another Dodo error. The Breakers would add four more hits before Orona was lifted from the game with just one out. Ken Gerber made a relief appearance for the Dodos with the bases loaded. He got the first batter he faced to popup to short, then a walk, hit batter and single plated the seventh runs of the inning, leading to the game being called due to the 12-run "mercy rule". The Dodos lost 16-4 in 6 2/3 innings of play.

The Dodos face the 5-time defending PCBL AAA Division champion winners, Barracudas this Sunday, October 3 at 10AM, at Conejo Creek.

Fantasy Performances of the Day: Hewitt 0-4; Knipps 1-2 (R, BB, SB); Ortiz 1-3 (R, RBI, 3B, E); D'Angelo 1-3 (R, RBI, K, E); Farris 0-3 (K, 2E); Lane 1-3 (RBI, E); Hoffman 2-3 (R, RBI, HR, E); A. Gerber 0-2 (BB); Butter 1-3 (3B, E); Boll 0-2 (BB, K, SB)
Colegrove (L) 6IP, 9R, 4ER, 10H, BB, HB, 6K; Orona .1IP, 7R, 1ER, 4H, BB, K; K.Gerber .1IP, H, BB

Amid Chaos, Dodos Win Championship!

Thursday, September 23. 2010
With their captain, Matt Marsh, on his honeymoon (congrats on the marriage Matt and Ashley, it was an awesome wedding), the Dodos Hockey team faced their rivals, the Renegades in the Division 5 Championship at Rollerdome. From the onset of the game, it looked as though it was going to be a heated exchange between the two teams, and it most definitely did not disappoint. Just over one minute into the game, a much hated Renegade player flipped the puck onto the Dodos bench and flashed a smile to the players. The game was riddled with penalties, high sticks and ejections, leading to an early exit for both teams.

The Renegades took an early lead. scoring a goal a mere 1:16 into the first period. The Dodos answered back, when Matt Haddad took the puck off the wall and snuck a goal into the net (1:52). Exactly one minute later, Haddad passed to a streaking Jason Hibarger, who shot a wrister in for a goal (2:52). Wanting to secure the championship, Dodos Hockey started to pile on the goals, as Dylan Mlcoch scored after taking a pass from Pat Heninger (3:49). With a 3-1 lead still in the first, two-sport star, Jeff Hewitt, thread a pass to Brian Silvey, who promptly scored (6:22).

With a 4-1 lead in the second period, Big Chris stopped slapshot after slapshot from Mama's Boy (he might as well have been shooting from the locker room). Dylan would add his second goal of the game with an assist from Haddad (11:42) to extend the Dodos' lead to 5-1.

The Renegades frustration began to show early in the third period when the fat guy was called for a tripping penalty 32 seconds in. The Dodos capitalized, scoring a power play goal on Silvey's second goal of the championship, a wrister that went glove side (1:04). After Brian Breithaupt intercepted a Renegade pass, he an unassisted goal with a slapshot (2:26). Trailing 7-1, another Renegade player was called for a penalty (5:27, holding). The Dodos once again took advantage when Pat passed to Jeff for the eighth Dodos' goal of the game.

With the championship all but out of reach, the Renegades managed to sneak a goal by big Chris (6:24), cutting the lead to 8-2. Less than four minutes later, Mama's Boy and Hibarger were skating down the court when Mama's Boy brought the stick up a little too high, prompting Hibarger to give a little back, resulting in a wrestling match between the two and an ejection to only Hibarger. When the referees finally managed to gain control of the situation, Breithaupt received a game misconduct penalty for talking. Hah! Talking.

Just when the game appeared to be on the way to a finish, the fat guy cross checked Pat and started a fist fight. With just 1:32 remaining in the game, the referees called the game and the Dodos emerged victorious champions, although the celebration was put on hold as the Mama's Boy's mama began shouting at the Dodos' players and their fans. Very professional way to run the Rollerdome. I mean, the Renegades were called for seven penalties to the Dodos' three, so, you figure it out.

Fantasy Performaces of the Day: Hewitt 1G, 1A; Haddad 1G, 2A; Heninger 2A; Silvey 2G; Hibarger 1G, Ejected; Mlcoch 2G, 1A; BHop 1G

Dodos Frustrate L.A. Braves Yet Again!

Sunday, September 19, 2010
The vendetta the Braves have against the Dodos remains unfulfilled, as Dodos Baseball beat them for the second time in as many games on Sunday with a score of 9-7. Steve Cole (2-0) backed his season opener winning effort with an even more impressive performance, pitching eight strong innings and returning to the game in the ninth to record a save in addition to a win. Cole frustrated the Braves' batters all day, surrendering three earned runs on eight hits, while striking out a season-high 12 and cutting his walks to four.

After stranding two runners in the first inning, the Dodos scored the game's first run in the second. Matty Lane drew a walk to start the bottom half of the inning and stole second. He would score on a two-out RBI double by Eddie Knipps.

Following a hit batter and two strikeouts, Brandon Farris belted a full count, two-tun home run to give the Dodos a 3-0 lead after three innings.

The pitchers from both teams were on cruise control until a two-out error by Sal D'Angelo followed by a single and a walk to load the bases. Cole escaped that jam with a lineout to second.

The Braves scored three runs in the top of the sixth on a leadoff walk, two singles and a two-run double to tie the game, but Rich Ortiz' second home run, a single and two errors on a stolen base attempt by Lane would allow the Dodos to reclaim the lead, 5-3.

After a walk to catcher Andy Gerber, Farris courtesy ran and promptly stole second, then scored an insurance run on two passed balls by the Braves' catcher to double the Dodos' lead, 6-3.

The Dodos scored three more runs in the bottom of the eighth after the Braves scored scored one on an error in the top part of the inning. A single by Jeff Hewitt started the rally, followed by two outs, then a walk to D'Angelo and two singles from Farris and Lane to score the runs and give the Dodos a 9-4 lead going into the last inning.

Cole pitched a solid eight innings, yielding to Farris to pitch the ninth. Farris proceeded to walk the first batter, then got a ground ball out. He walked the next batter and then got a flyball to center for the second out. A single, error, walk and a hit batter would extend the inning, plating three Braves and loading the bases. With only one out left, Cole reentered the game to pitch and converted the save opportunity while also getting the win.

Fantasy Performances of the Day: Hewitt 1-4 (R, K); Boll 0-3 (R, SB, HB); Ortiz 2-4 (RBI, R, HR, 2K); D'Angelo 1-3 (R, BB, K); Farris 3-4 (2RBI, 2R, 2-R HR, SB); Lane 1-3 (2RBI, 2R, BB, 2SB); Butter 0-4; A. Gerber 0-2 (R, BB); Hoffman 1-3; Knipps 1-3 (RBI, 2B); Jason 0-1 (BB); Cole 0-1.
Cole (W, SV) 8.1IP, 4R, 3ER, 8H, 4BB, 2HB, 12K; Farris .2IP, 3R, 1ER, H, 3BB, HB

Dull Blades Can't Cut It!

Thursday, September 16, 2010
While the team captain was enjoying excessive drinks and Mexican food at his wedding rehearsal dinner, the Dodos Hockey team dulled the Blades' late effort to mount a comeback and advanced to the Division 5 Championship game with a 4-2 victory.

Brian Silvey led the Dodos' charge with a hat trick and Keith Loitz also scored a goal. Jeff Hewitt collected three assists on four goals, while big Chris shut the Blades out until 1:30 left in the game, when the Blades scored two unanswered goals, but fell three goals short of advancing to the final round of the playoffs.

The Dodos face the Renegades in the final game of the postseason, a team that beat them during the regular season. Word around the Rollerdome says the Renegades lobbied to have the Dodos team split-up or moved up a division, but to no avail. In all honesty, a few players on the Renegades were seen playing in the upper division last season, leading one to believe that they are making an attempt to "sandbag" the league.

It should prove to be an interesting game, if not exciting. Be there to cheer on the Dodos as they make a run for the first roller hockey championship in Dodos' history on Thursday, September 23 at 8:30 PM.

New Look Dodos Win Fall Season Opener!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

On Troy Jr.'s birthday, Dodos Baseball opened the Fall 2010 season with a victory. Despite losing their top four hitters from the summer season, the team was moved into the Higher Division and faced the AAA Giants. The Dodos acquired new uniforms and some new key players who contributed heavily, as the Dodos went on to a 12-10 win.

After a scoreless top of the first inning, new Dodos' pitcher, Steve Cole, made his pitching debut, striking out the first batter looking before getting a ground ball out and then another strikeout. Cole worked eight innings, striking out eight, surrendering seven earned runs on eight hits and 14 walks. Dodos' summer league left fielder, Matty Lane, has slid into center field this season, and he led off the second inning with a single and scored when Brandon Farris doubled off the wall. Chris Hoffman would double Farris home, giving the Dodos a 2-0 lead.

With the score tied 2-2 in the third, Sal D'Angelo made his return to the Dodos with a first pitch single. Newcomer Rich Ortiz followed with a 2-R home run. After two flyouts, Lane doubled, followed by another RBI-double by Farris and a dropped flyball hit by Dodos' Sports first two-sport star, Jeff Hewitt. Hewitt advanced to second and scored when Hoffman singled him home. The Giants scored three runs in the next two innings from four walks, a hit batter, two hits and a dropped flyball to narrow the lead, 7-5.

The Dodos would score one run in each of the next two innings via solo home runs by the new additions, D'Angelo and Hewitt. Trailing 9-5, the Giants pitcher used the next pitch after the Hewitt home run to hit Hoffman in what seemed like a mild retaliation move, to which the Dodos seemed to shrug off. After the Giants ran themselves out of the sixth inning, the Dodos opened the seventh with Eddie Knipps reaching first on an error, then Brandon Boll bunting for a hit before D'Angelo added his second home run of the game, a three-run shot to right center. That prompted a pitching change, and the younger Diaz shut the Dodos down the next two innings.

Feeling the need to complete the game, Cole went back out to the mound to pitch the eighth, even after the manager had told him he was finished. Cole proceeded to walk the first batter, get a fielder's choice and walk another batter before giving up a 3-R home run. Not satisfied with eight innings, Cole went back to the mound in the ninth, only to surrender a single and a 2-R homer. He was showing obvious signs of fatigue and the home run closed the door on his day. Farris came into the game facing a save opportunity with the lead now dwindled to 12-10. Farris would get a ground ball to third, then Lane would rob a hit in shallow center with a sliding catch. A pop up to Farris would end the game, giving the Dodos their first victory and Farris his first save in as many chances. The Dodos face the LA Braves in a rematch of the last regular season game in the summer league this Sunday at Occidental College at 10AM.

Fantasy Performances of the Day: Boll 1-5 (1R, 2K); D'Angelo 3-5 (3R, 4RBI, 3-R HR, HR, K); Ortiz 1-5 (1R, 2RBI, 2-R HR, K); Butter 1-3 (BB); A. Gerber 0-3; Lane 2-4 (2R, 2B, K); Farris 3-4 (2R, 2RBI, 3 2B); Hewitt 1-3 (2R, 2RBI, HR, BB, 2E); Hoffman 2-3 (2RBI, 2B, HB, CS, K); Jason 0-4 (3K); Knipps 0-2 (R, BB); K. Gerber 0-1 (K).
Cole (W) 8IP, 10R, 7ER, 8H, 14BB, HB, 8K, 2HR; Farris (SV) 1IP, H

Dodos Hockey Passes First Playoff Test!

Thursday, September 9, 2010
The Dodos Roller Hockey team won their first playoff game in Division 5 when they went to visit the Toads. After finishing the regular season with a 7-2 record, the Dodos drew the second seed and skated to an easy 10-5 victory.

After scoring only one goal in the regular season, Dylan Mlcoch led the way for the Dodos with four goals and one assist. Brian Silvey added a hat trick and an assist, while Jeff Hewitt, Matt Haddad and Keith Loitz chipped in goals as well.

The Dodos breezed to a 5-0 lead in the first period before surrendering four goals in the second and scoring just two themselves. Trailing 7-4 to start the third, the Toads scored a goal just 54 seconds in to the period, but that would be their last goal, as Big Chris would deny all other attempts to score. The Dodos scored three unanswered goals after that to sail to the win.

The Dodos meet the Blades on Thursday, September 16, in round two of the playoffs. The winner goes on to the Championship next week.

Fantasy Performances of the Day: Hewitt 1G; Haddad 1G, 2A; Heninger 1A; Silvey 3G, 1A, 2 Min. hooking; Loitz 1G; Marsh 2 Min. tripping; Mlcoch 4G, 1A; Big Chris 31SV

Regular season stats: Hewitt 8GP, 5G, 4A; Haddad 6GP, 5G, 5A, 4PEN/10MIN; Heninger 7GP, 11G, 5A, 2PEN/4MIN; Silvey 8GP, 14G, 11A, 3PEN/6MIN; Loitz 5GP, 2G, 1A; Marsh 8GP, 9G, 3A, 1PEN/2MIN; Hibarger 3GP, 1G, 2A. 2PEN/4MIN; Mlcoch 7GP, 1G, 4A, 2PEN/4MIN; Breithaupt 5GP, 1G; Big Chris 7GP, 216SF, 195SV, 21GA

The Nation is Back!

After a brief hiatus, Dodos Nation is back in full force!

Dodos Baseball finished the 2010 summer season with a 10-8 regular season record (10-4 in single A division) and lost in a "California Tiebreaker" playoff game. We at the Nation HQ are assuming the PCBL league president has been holding somewhat of a grudge against the Dodos (reason is yet unclear). The Dodos faced opposition all season from the league, including playing only six of the 18 total games as the home team (a 33% clip). In addition, the league made the Dodos play the hottest team in the division to end the regular season, to which the Dodos promptly gave them a 17-2 thrashing. But, the league had the last laugh, throwing softball rules into a baseball league, ending the Dodos run for the championship.

The Dodos will start the 2010 fall season next Sunday, September 12 when they face the Royals at Occidental College at 10AM.

Dodos Hockey finished last season 0-9, but after dropping to a lower division and making some personnel changes, they find themselves tied at the top of Division 5 with a 7-2 record to end the regular season. The playoffs will start next Thursday, September 9, 2010.

As far as Dodos Angling goes, the Nation HQ has not heard any news regarding any tournament happenings.

Be on the lookout in the near future, as the Dodos Sports Franchise looks to expand into the paintball and roller derby arenas. More info to come.

Once again, the Nation HQ apologizes for the lag, but rest assured, we are back!