Koz "Slams" The Door on Tri-Star
New Lenox, IL - On a warm and breezy evening at the Lion's Den, the Master Batters treated a standing room crowd to one of its greatest victories in team history. After a back and forth 4 1/2 innings, MB entered the bottom of the 5th inning with a 9-8 lead over Tri-Star. MB strung together nine hits to bring Jake Koz to the plate 2/3rds full of Schoenhofens and Kerty with a 15-8 lead. Koz took the first pitch over the right center field wall to walk off the win for the Master Batters over their previously undefeated rival Tri-Star 19-8. As the umpires called the game on run rule, Koz was heard saying "I didn't know we were that close to ending the game". Captain Jack provided a post-game quote from his palatial MB office; "That walkoff grand slam goes right to the top as one of the biggest hits in Master Batters history.. and you can quote me on that". Master Batters move their record to 3-1 and are now tied for 2nd place in the Tuesday league. Ryan Foster pitched well in reserve of Gary and notched his first victory of the year in his first start. Tonight's scratches were Gary, Jason Stapes and Zlogar, whom were all excused for the proceedings. Wade Davis, Greco, and Kerty all contributed hits to chip in for the win. Every batter in the lineup got at least one hit to help the cause and seal the dramatic win. MB comes right back next week in a game against Beggars. Game time is 7:30 PM.
Highlight Reel
Walk off city
Noteables:
Bees in the Bonnet - Last week, Kathy told a story about while drinking a can of Coke, some bees got into the drink and into her mouth thus putting three stingers in her lower lip. YEEEEEEEE-OUCH!!!
From acorns........ - Lauren, where the hell are you!!!? That story is NOT told if you are here.
Koz Quote I - "I wish I would have known the score so I could have pimped it better"
The Real Me - Ken is tonight's player spotlight as deemed by last week's honoree Koz.
Missing - Stapes is rumored to have missed tonight's game due to covid-19 protocols.
Teflon Gary - Overheard in response to a fan asking if Gary was missing due to covid-19, this reporter deadpanned "no covid-19........a germ cannot live inside of him".
Fear Strikes Out - Bags had a little trouble early in the evening on a popup to the screen where he jumped into the fence, bobbled the ball, kicked it up in the air, and almost came down with the snag. Maybe he should climb the fence next time.
Jolly Green Giant - Tri-Star made 20% of their outs on infield cans of corn.
Terry Bevington II - Koz ran into a situation with one out where he could have tagged up from 2nd base on a deep flyball but drifted halfway to 3rd base and did not advance. When the Cap'n asked what happened, Jake said that he asked before the pitch and "Joe Da Ump" told him that their was two outs.
Zoot Suit Abuse - Matt Sutor was beside himself when the Schoenhofen Three threaded balls down the line to repeatedly beat the agile 3rd baseman. The first was as "Jackish" as they come with the Cap'n actually striking the bag with the batted ball. Jeffster followed with a line shot down the 3rd base line when Suits came off the bag to cheat the left-handed batter toward the hole. The unkindliest cut was Ken's dribbler down the line that Suits dove for but just eluded his reach.
Unnoticed.....almost - Ryno made a nice play on a fly ball to left when the throw came into third base and he was backing up the play in case of an overthrow. Little things win games; well done.
Koz Quote II - "Gino had been throwing me low darts all night so I moved about as far up in the box as possible for that last pitch"
Player Profile
Tonight's honoree is Ken Schoenhofen; coach Ken as the youth of New Lenox know him. Ken has coached in-house baseball teams for the Big Red Machine and won a championship back in the 40's. He has skippered the New Lenox Hawks and Will County Coyotes and is now out of coaching with the kids having grown up and he has a new hobby, Master Batters 3rd baseman. Ken is a charter member of the Master Batters and is 3rd on the all-time team hit list and 2nd in most games played. Little known fact is that the steely 3rd baseman had led the team in triples two different season. We got a chance to sit down with the volatile man who carries around an oft used catchers mitt that's 20 years old but never broken in.
Gazette: What is it like playing ball with your two sons?
Ken: An unbelievable honor, I feel very fortunate to be able to play with those two. What a unique situation, something very special for sure. After teaching them both the game of baseball, coaching them both, and taking the field with them, I've hit the trifecta. I hope I can string it out a few more years and maybe if not as a player, for sure a spectator to see them finally win that first title!!!
Gazette: Your favorite moment thus far as a Master Batter?
Gazette: Scariest moment?
Ken: The night Jack tried to stretch a double into a triple with a 16-2 lead and the throw from the outfield hit him square in the back of his coconut!!!! Still not sure how that didn't knock him out, but I guess like the old man, he has a hard head!!!!!
Gazette: How old is the bat that you use?
Ken: That bat is from the 1st season of the MB's existence, although recently I've started swinging a newer slightly heavier model, tough to get used to but I keep the Ole stick close by just in case.
Gazette: Have you ever thought of using some new hot bat to "stretch out the defense"?
Ken: My last at-bat last fall before my intestines popped out was a rocket off the new bat over left fielder's head, had thoughts of a triple but thought better of it.
Gazette: What are your personal and team goals?
Ken: I'd like to play till I'm 60, God willing and would love to see this team make it to the Championship game one of these years.
Gazette: What is the first Who album you ever purchased?
Ken: Who's Next (cassette version), still have it somewhere .
Bag's Corner
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