CLICK HERE to view the team and individual statistics through Game #35.
Things looked promising at first when the Warriors jumped out to a three run lead in the first inning. Steve Sismelich lined a two-strike hit into centerfield before Matt Carroll drew a walk. With two outs, Matt LeVigne lined a base hit into leftfield to score two runs. Then, Cody Rutledge tripled to the rightfield wall to score Matt.
But, Oak Park started the bottom of the first inning with five straight hits. Despite an early pitching change and two strike outs by Cody Rutledge to end the inning, Oak Park took a one run lead into the second inning.
The Warriors would not threaten again in this one. Matt Carroll singled in the third inning and Jim Robley doubled in the fifth inning (his sixth of the season)--and those were the only two hits for the Warriors for the rest of the game. Jason Enguita and Patrick O'Connor reached on hit by pitches. And, Cody Rutledge drew a walk. But, the Warriors were unable to score after the first inning of play.
In the meantime, Oak Park continued to hit the ball hard. An eleven run second inning put the Warriors in the hole. Oak Park scored ten runs after two were out! And, Oak Park scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to make the final score 17-3. The ten run mercy rule was applied once the Warriors were retired in the fifth inning.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship support of the Sismelich family, the Warriors will play one last tournament this season. Ordinarily, the season would have ended after today's disappointing loss. Instead, this gift will allow us to play a fifth tournament--one more tournament than any Warriors' team has played in the past.
