Warriors Sweep Doubleheader!

The Warriors defeated the Oak Lawn Chargers in the second game of the doubleheader. Once again, the Warriors applied its winning recipe of: 1) being selective at the plate (i.e., Ted Williams); 2) throwing strikes (i.e., Ferguson Jenkins); and 3) playing solid defense. Our baserunning (i.e., Jackie Robinson) still needs more work!

Warriors: 16 runs, 7 hits, 1 error, 5 left on base
Oak Lawn: 6 runs, 7 hits, 2 errors, 7 left on base

In sharp contrast to the 2008 Warriors (which was built on power pitching and strike outs), the pitchers struck out just 10 hitters the entire day (in 14 innings over 2 games). But, the pitchers consistently threw strikes and the defense committed just one error the entire afternoon.

At times, the defense was spectacular. Tim Carroll got the team off to a good start in the Oak Lawn game by making a Major League play from deep in the hole from shortstop. Dennis Bresingham contributed with some nice catches, including a great catch to close out the third inning.

With the team down two runs in the fourth inning, Ryan Novak entered the game in relief. In a legendary performance, Ryan Novak pitched three strong innings on a sore leg (after taking a line drive off his shin in the morning game). He allowed just one earned run in that span. Ryan's knuckle ball was at its best--even surprising the plate umpire with its movement. When I asked the umpire where one of the pitches was, he replied that it started off the inside corner and then ended up off the outside corner of the plate! Just as when he threw a complete game victory in the Lockport tournament last season, he had command over the knuckle ball--and it was virtually unhittable this afternoon!


The Warriors hit with power in the Oak Lawn game. Ryan Knightly crushed a double to deep rightfield to clear the bases (scoring 3 runs in the big 9 run fourth inning). It should have been a triple, but Ryan missed first base and had to return to touch the bag. C.J. Brucki hammered a triple to deep rightfield in the second inning. Sam Marc doubled to rightfield to drive two runs home in the seventh inning. And, Jack Lebert led all hitters with five RBI for the day!

Overall, it was a good start for the Warriors. We look forward to returning to Hickory Hills--the site of our first tournament championship (June, 2008)--next weekend.

CLICK HERE for the team and player statistics through Game #2.