The SFRC will not end the season undefeated.  It just wasn’t in the cards.  Runs like that just don’t happen anymore.  We have heard too much about the 1972 Dolphins and the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers.  But we may never see teams like that again.  There is simply too much film and scouting these days (see SFRC film room sessions Nov ’08 – March ’09). 

Per the norm, the SFRC stuck around for a few refreshments.  We discussed an email exchange with Peter Vecsey.  If you care, there is a link to the right that has a copy of the email.  Or click HERE.

Game #1 vs. Celts

There was a little confusion to start the game as the FRC weren’t sure who was going to take the bump since we were “sans” “sans.”  Skin ‘n’ Play took the challenge and pitched a solid game.  The game was back and forth throughout.  Entering the bottom of the 7^th leading by three the FRC heard the call from the opposing dugout “We need three to tie.”  You will never hear that negativity from the FRC dugout.  We said it last week and we’ll say it again.  If you are hoping to tie, you deserve to lose.  Is it anymore effort to yell out “We need four to win!”  The karma Gods  took over in the field and held the Celts scoreless on their way to a 10-7 win.  There were many nice plays in the field throughout the game.  Great catches in the outfield by CW, Pub Krull, Matty and Lars.  Runners thrown out at third on a nice relay by Kurty. 

Final score:   SFRC 10 – Celts 7

Last out: ??

Plays of the game:

In the field: For the first out of the game Lars went back to the wall and caught a 298 foot shot.    

At the plate: As a team, the FRC were still hot (and got quite a few hits as well).  We are waiting for the updated stats, but memory remembers Ryan on base quite often and Lars taking two bases at a time again.

Game #2 vs. Edina Realty (a.k.a. B-Company)

The SFRC found a way to stay in this game and had it tied through five innings. In the top of the 6^th the bad guys got the hits going and we were lucky enough to get out of the inning thanks to some HR outs.  Pub Krull proved his HGH off season was worth it by hitting a solo shot in the bottom of the 6^th.  The top of the 7^th brought more of the same, many solid hits by the bad guys.  They just proved too much for the mighty SFRC on this night. 

Final score:   SFRC 15 – Edina Realty 27

Last out: ???

Plays of the game:

In the field:  A botched triple play by Ol’ 3-5.  A couple of nice plays in right by CW including one where he stuck his glove up in the air after he heard the ball go by his ear and made the catch. 

At the plate:  Waiting for the official stats, but the FRC hit three balls over the fence.  Matty was the unlucky recipient of recording a 310 foot “out.”    35 is pretty sure Ryan hit well because 35 did a lot of running for him. 

Fan of the night:

A solid showing by the SFRC faithful.  OB came to cheer on the good guys and JoAnn and dog were there as well.  A new fan, Cassie, enjoying her first SFRC game at SFRC Park, B also was in attendance. 

“Matty no one!  Top!”

Game #1 vs. Varmit

Historically the FRC get six or less innings in against a team that is generally the slowest team on and off the field in the five state Midwest area.  I will never understand why they ask who is up next when they have followed the same guy in the batting order since 1983.  The game was back and forth through out.  We’d score three, they’d score four, we’d come back with five, they’d score two, and so on.  The ump didn’t do the FRC any favors and missed at least three calls.  In the bottom of the sixth the FRC padded their lead and took the field in the top of the 7^th up nine.  From the opposing dug out we could hear, “we need nine to tie.”  That is like lion smelling blood.  Any team looking to tie is destined to lose.  Varmit scratched and clawed in the top of the 7^th, but their output followed their goal….I bit too low.  Varmit scored seven, but lost by two. 

Final score:   SFRC 19 – Varmit 17

Last out: CW

Plays of the game:

In the field: Sans snagging three line drives up the middle.  Sans hustling over to cover first (just like we practiced in the gym back in January).  Brain putting the film room to work and catching a line drive towards the hole at second base. 

At the plate: Brain and his new found power from the left side of the dish going 4-5.  Cinco, in potentially his last night at the diamond without being a father, going 4-5.  35, going 4-5, which could have been 5-5 if not for the “grand slam out” because……Pub Krull going deep to left center for a pivotal HR.  Pub Krull also hit a laser off the fence in left.  The rest of the FRC crew missed a golden opportunity to freeze out Pub Krull and leave him out there on his own after his big HR.

Game #2 vs. H-Bomb

Another thriller.  H-Bomb had 8.5 players on this evening.  The outfield was open.  The FRC did what they could to take advantage of the green grass and tallied 30 hits in Game 2 of the night.  The game was back and forth with a few very strong innings.  In the top of the third H-Bomb scored six, the FRC would not allow them to win the inning and scored six of our own in the bottom of the third.  The game continued to be back and forth and again “Red” didn’t help the FRC out at all.  In the bottom of the 6^th down three with time running out the FRC plated two runs and trailed by one.  Luckily, as the FRC are wont to do, we left enough time to play one more inning.  In the top of the 7^th H-Bomb scored two to take another three run lead.  What did we hear coming out of the FRC dugout?  “WE NEED FOUR TO WIN!”  A distinct difference from the opposing dug out in Game #1.  What did the FRC do?  They proceeded to get runners on base and score runs to take the victory in the bottom of the 7^th. 

Final score:   SFRC 22 – H-Bomb 21

Last out: Brad

Plays of the game:

In the field:  There were some big catches in left, left-center and right.  There was a put out from left to third base (oh wait, Red missed that one), there were a couple of double plays (3^rd to 1^st) and at least one other double play that was botched by Ol’ 3-5. 

At the plate:  CW was the leader of leaders going 5-5.  Cinco continued to stay hot (he also had another four hit game).  Lars had two doubles and a nice SAC (he also had an RBI with a sacrifice fly) and circled the bases two at a time.  We may have even seen a FRC player slide. 

Fan of the night:

Mad-Dog making a brief, but important appearance before mysteriously disappearing.

Numbers:

Numbers don’t lie.  The season is two weeks old and the FRC have not lost and sit at 2-0.  Brain donated some time and put the stats together.  Early batting leaders are CW and Cinco at .800.  But the FRC are about the team and this team is batting .582 for the season.  Could running hills, watching film and practicing start to be paying off?  See you next week!