Blue Sox 12, West Coast Washout 7
The West Coast Washout (known for Week 1 as the Texas Instruments) dug themselves a hole early, as starter Andrew Winter struggled with control from the get-go, walking all six batters he faced. Connor Tsuchida took over, but only recorded 2/3 of an inning before he too was pulled. Third pitcher Daniel Rish responded by walking in a run, before finally getting out of the 10-run Blue Sox frame. Sam Johnson started on the mound for the Blue Sox, and allowed his fielders to make plays behind him. Still, the Washout clawed their way back to a four-run deficit after two innings. From there, the game took a turn towards a pitchers duel, with Blue Sox reliever Jed Laprade drawing first and surviving unscathed. Sam Johnson knocked in Brian Knoerlein for an an insurance run in the 4th, but it was more than Laprade needed to get his team the victory.
West Coast Washout 30, Blue Sox 25
This was the wacky back-and-forth action which typifies wiffleball. Both teams got themselves into something of a pitching conundrum. Washout starter Jason Matt never had backup in the pen, and Blue Sox starter Brian Pendergast was pulled after 3 innings despite his team's two run lead, leading to a merry-go-round of Blue Sox pitchers. Brian O'Donnell managed to hold the fort for two innings, giving the Blue Sox a 22-15 lead heading into the final inning. Blue Sox pitcher Brian Knoerlein walked the first three batters he faced, but then induced Dan Rish to hit into a run-scoring double play. Needing only one out to win, the Blue Sox managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, as 11 of the next 13 hitters reached via walk, for a total of 14 two-out runs. The Blue Sox went to their final option in Sean mid-way through the inning, but his inexperience did not help matters. Jason Matt won the game for the Washout despite allowing 25 runs on 23 hits.
Pitcher of the Week: Jed Laprade
Laprade entered as a reliever in the third inning nursing an 11-7 lead versus a hard-charging West Coast Washout team. His team would only muster one more run the rest of the way, but it didn't matter. In his four innings of work, Laprade allowed only three baserunners, walked none, and never allowed a baserunner past first base. Jed struck out 5, and relied heavily on fly-ball outs to put game one on ice.
Due to having only one series, no offensive or defensive player of the week was awarded. These distinctions will not be given out willy-nilly -- you have to earn them!
