High Voltage Split DH in the Rain

 

New Lenox, IL - On a soggy and cold night more befitting of Trick or Treat weather, High Voltage played a double-header against two of the league's top foes, Alcoballic's and Brew Jays and ended up splitting the pair of games. Game 1 against Alcoballic's was a see-saw thriller that saw both teams trade leads before some last inning heroics settled the outcome in a combined 36 run effort.  Alcoballic's roared out of the gate by hitting two homeruns and scoring six runs in the top of the 1st inning. High Voltage answered back in the bottom of the frame by taking advantage of atrocious Alcoballic's defense to post five runs, and trail 6-5 after an inning. The Alc's packed on five runs of their own in the top of the 2nd inning on the strength of their third and final allowed homerun to put the Volts back into a six run hole.  The Volts answered back by scoring four runs on the strength of a Sutes two run blast to trail 11-9 after two innings.  The Alc's went scoreless in the 3rd inning while the Volts added four runs on a two RBI Stapes single and another Sutes two-run blast to wrestle a 13-11 lead.  The Alc's scored two in the 4th inning to tie the game up but the resilient Volts added three runs on Stapes and Foster sacrifice flies and a Sutor RBI single. One of the key hits in the game was an Arik rocket off the pitcher's glove that broke a finger and took him out of the game. Pinky Brokesville became an automatic out for the rest of the game that was limited to a 5th inning out. The Volts led 16-13 heading into the 5th inning that saw both teams go scoreless. Alc's pushed three runs across in the top half of the 6th inning to knot the score at 16-16.  Another key to the game was the Alc's running out of homeruns in the 2nd inning and seeing three more go over the fence for automatic outs in the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings.  With two minutes on the clock and the score tied, Koz led off the bottom of the inning with a walk. A fly ball later, Sutor doubled to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out, which necessitated a Zlogar intentional walk to load the bases for Pratl.  Pratl put all doubt to rest by jacking a Mirabella pitch over the left-center fence for a walkoff grand slam that sent the fans into a frenzy as the blast vaulted High Voltage into temporary control of the Tuesday night standings after the 20-16 victory. 

The second game of the double-header was a shit fest mostly played in the pouring rain that saw Brew Jays topple High Voltage 24-8.  The footage and notes have been seized and currently reside with the missing Watergate files of Richard M. Nixon. High Voltage returns to action on June 20th at 9:30PM versus Sons of Pitches. The late start will separate the real fans from the bandwagon jumpers.

Noteables:

No Sea, but Sand - Over the past weekend, Cap'n Jack (seen here with Escobar Zlogar) pitches an idea of a sand volleyball team to go along with the Tuesday vibe.  The captain gave the young ladies the choice of A) The Jacks, B) V-Ball & Jacks, C) Jacked Up, or D) Jack and Blokes.  After settling down from the laughter, the girls suggested that he just stick to softball.  We'll keep a reporter at the sand volleyball entry box in case of any late developments from the enterprising captain.

Honest-ly - Tori became the first person on Tuesday to make the Gazette.  The editor-in-chief of the Gazette needed to be picked up after dropping a car off for service. The chief waved her off the main thoroughfare and around a quiet corner of the Matteson Auto Mall.  Instead of stopping immediately after turning around the corner, the diminutive dancer continued past the fire hydrant so as not to block if from the fire department, which was had not called nor was present because there was no current fire.  Fortunately for Tori, the chief piled on an additional 30 steps in route to the daily goal.  

Welcome Wagon - Commissioner Gordon Wetfoot has the boys in action mid-afternoon on Tuesday to prepare the field for Tuesday night games.  The maintenance truck was parked near the main entrance while Sandy Stone harrowed the volleyball courts for league play.

Umbrella Man - Dealey Plaza is not the only place you'll find this guy.  Apparently he took a photograph of the softball field at the Lions Den during the afternoon showers.  No picture of babushka lady or badge man but we'll archive the photo in case any crime was committed in the area and this picture needs further review.
 

From The Other Side - The Gazette took a picture of NLCPD Maintenance foreman Slats Magoo climbing into his truck after getting the Lions Den fine tuned for Tuesday Softball and Volleyball action.  Commissioner G Dubs had these guys moving hard and fast.  Rumor is that Kathy rented the boys for later this afternoon to clean all of Ken's junk out of house #1.

No Time Just Temp - Tuesday night's action was more reminiscent of a late fall game than one played on June 13th. This marks the second time this season that games could have been postponed but played on as scheduled.  Seems like Comissioner Gordon has some vacation plans that he does not want to alter.  Interesting thing about the games yesterday was that the infield had a decent amount of moisture, which is much better than the usual powder surface of Mars but infielders on all sides had difficulty fielding ground balls.  Thank you to Gazette subscriber Little Jack Sprout for the weather info.

Game 1 Heroes - Going down the batting order. Koz led off and was 2/3 with two walks and scored the winning run. Stapes was 2/4 with 3 RBI. Sutes was 4/5 with 2HR and 5 RBI, Zlogar was 1/4 with BB and wore the opposing pitchers out by having them crane their necks at watching the putouts.  Z did get intentionally walked and scored on the game's final play. Pratl was 2/3 with 2 walks and had a game-high 6 RBI to go along with the walk-off grand slam.  NOTE: This kids, is why you try to save a homerun for a big moment. Jack 2/4 and scored 2 runs. Arik 3/4 with 4 RBI and the knockout punch of the pitcher. Jeff 2/3 and a walk with a run scored. Ken 3 for effin' 3 with a walk and an RBI. Ryno 0/2 with a walk and an RBI and the win on the hill.

Crowd I - The loyal faithful was treated to a thrilling game 1 victory.  It was umbrella giveaway night sponsored by Sonny Silverman's Lost and Found.  One special fan received a 70's Bubble Umbrella.  Sorry Ken, we researched but could not find that old jingle.

Johnson - Koz looks up in the sky as a phallic shaped object pops out from the clouds and briefly descended on the Lions Den.  Appears that the umpire, Dr. Evil, was planning on holding the world hostage unless a "One million" dollar ransom was paid.  Speaking of one million dollars......."Hey FOSTER, pay your fines or you'll be up to a million dollars before the season ends!".

These Boots - Lord knows, this writer is very knowledgeable about boots as he trips on a pair daily.  There's more boots in the house than a fully stocked shoe store. Not only are Volts fans the loudest in the league, they are the smartest fans in the league, not to mention fashionable.  Umbrellas are only half of the preparation for a rainy day and boots are the topping on the cake.  Our fans are prepared to outlast your fans.

Kozleton - Not a season can go by without the obligatory Kozleton picture.  This one is shot while both are ignoring the exploits of old Billy boy as he prepares to pitch.  I think the plan was to coach first base and then slip a laxative in the annoying Brey Jay pitcher's beer.  There would be plenty of runs in that scenario.

Nice Place to Visit - Gazette staff received a free pass to the dugout to remain dry.  It is nice in there and all, but nicer to let the boys do their thing and congregate with the fandom.

Red Rover - When Arik wasn't busting opposing pitcher's fingers or hitting wrist shot singles, he had time for a few favorite childhood games.  Arik With An A is seen here after busting through the line of Volts assembled on the third base chalk.  Editors Note: We always feel bad when a player is hurt or an opposing pitcher is hit with a drive. The pitcher from yesterday seemed a bit upset that he broke a pinky while trying to field a come back liner but the guy was playing with fire all night long.  Nobody should be pitching in this league and taking two or three steps forward in their follow through.  That is a great way to ruin, and just plain insane.  That one is on you "pitch".

Crowd II - Believe it or not, the weather took an even bigger turn for the worse with whipping winds and heavier rain showers.  That is when the crowd congregated to the dugout and below the under-hang of the press box.  Am I really seeing an IU blanket?  

Kozsutleton??? - Sutes photo bombs the cousin crew and has an additional idea for the Billy caper.  Glop super glue on his can of Bud Light laced with laxatives so that it is stuck on his hands for the ride home and then some.  Hmmmmmmmmmm. Let's give that one some thought.

Fines - Thank you to Koz, Jack, Arik, Ken, and Pratl for paying.  Dylan (1), Sutor (2), Zlogar (3), and Foster (5) have outstanding balances.  If you paid and I missed it, let me know and I'll strike the amount along with an apology.

For the night:

Koz (1) gm1 third inning flyout to RC

Stapes (3) PAID (still 3 in the bank) gm1 2nd inning popout to catcher, 4th inning flyout to right, and 6th inning popout to LC.

Sutor (2) gm1 pop out to LC and gm2 solo HR in 1st

Pratl (1) gm2 1st inning running on a flyout from first base with one out and getting doubled off with ease.

Jack (2) PAID gm1 flyout to left in 3rd inning and gm2 popout in 1st inning

Arik (2) gm1 flyout to RF in 5th inning and gm2 flyout to LC in 3rd inning

Jeff (3) gm1 popout to RC and gm2 pop outs to RC in 2nd and 3rd inning

Foster (2) gm1 popout to catcher in 1st inning and pop out to LF in 4th inning

Totals

Koz 1

Dylan 1

Pratl 1

Arik 2

Jeff 3

Zlogar 3

Sutor 4

Foster 7

R&R - Ken ices down his shin last night after taking a line shot to the leg during action last night. Ken was a busy man last night as he had at least a half-dozen plays his way.  The quiet third baseman found his way at the plate with a 4/5 performance to go along with a walk and an RBI on the evening.  Get some rest pops.

Happy Fathers Day to all of the dads on the team (Ken) and all of the players' dads!!!