New Lenox, IL - There is never a dull moment when High Voltage and Ivy League meet, and yesterday was no exception as this time the stakes were bragging rights for the remainder of the long winter and moving on to the next round in the playoffs. Game time temps started out in the 60's but quickly dropped to brisk conditions although the action was hot. The visiting Ivy got the action rolling by putting two runners on base with one out until The Great Marone rapped into a 6-4-3 double play to quickly end the inning and give the Volts early momentum. Jack started the attack with a leadoff double and quickly scored on a Koz RBI triple. Pratl would later knock in Koz on a one out fielders choice. Two walks ensued by Jeff and Scotch before Escobar Zlogar's two out, two run single capped the scoring with HV leading 4-0 after an inning. Ivy chipped away at the lead with a two spot in their half of the second inning. With the Volts batting and leading 4-2, Jack started a two out rally with a walk with Koz following with a two-run homerun. Stapes and Sutes each singled before a Pratl walk to load the bases for Jeff. With the outfield pinching in, Jeff muscled a deep drive to the fence for a stand up inside-the-park grand slam to put the Volts up 10-2 after two innings. Ivy stormed back in the third inning with an eight run outburst powered by a three-run homerun by Rich Modell and a two-run shot by Mario Chicago. When asked after the game on his homerun, Modell quipped; "I was sitting dead red on that one". The Volts went out quickly in the third with the game tied at 10 apiece. Ivy League kept the pressure on in the fourth inning with a Lodz three-run blast and a Marone RBI single to lead 14-10 at that point. The Volts fought right back with a leadoff Koz double followed by a Stapes two-run homerun deep to left-center field. With one out, Pratl and Jeff singled to set up Noah Scotch's first hit as a Volt, a three-run homerun into the Balderman fence in left to put the good guys up 15-14 after four frames. Ivy League went out quickly and quietly on two homerun outs while the Volts came on in the bottom of the fifth with Ryno, who had previously doubled, scoring on a Stapes RBI Sac Fly. With the Volts leading 16-14 after five innings, Ivy League tied the game on an Aston Martin two RBI double. The Volts went out 1-2-3 in their half of the inning to set the stage for late game drama with both teams tied at 16 going into the seventh inning. Ryno pitched a spotless 1-2-3 inning in the top of the inning to provide the Volts a walkoff opportunity in their home at-bat. Zlogar led off the bottom of the seventh by roping a double to left-center field. Ivy intentionally walked Jamaica to put runners on first and second with no outs and Ken coming to the plate. After taking a ball on the first pitch, Ken hit a magical mystery two hopper that ate up the second baseman and sent home Sutes, who had pinch ran for Z, for the winning run to make the final score 17-16. The loss sends Ivy in hibernation for the winter while the Volts move on to face White Horse in the semi-finals on Tuesday, October 24 at 7:30PM. In other action, Beggars advanced to take on the Brew Jays next week at 6:30PM as they pounded the Turtles 26-5 with the clock turning to midnight for the last place team who enjoyed a two-week renaissance. Championship game will commence at approximately 8:30 between the winners of the two semi-final contests.
Notables
Trick or Treat - An early Halloween treat awaited the Volts on Tuesday night as the team eliminated Ivy League from the 2023 Fall playoffs. The win marks the third straight season the Volt franchise has won a playoff game and five out of the last six.
Last Exit - The boys all stand by eagerly as Ken jumps into the batters box for what would turn out the game's final at-bat as he hit the walkoff single to send the Volts to continue in the playoffs.
One More Time - Ken announced his retirement after Tuesday evenings game. Retirement will have to wait at least another week as High Voltage still has work to do in the 2023 Fall season. Anyone who took the "over" on the total of Ken retirements, can run to the window and cash their tickets. With the game winning RBI, maybe we see another dozen retirement proclamations.
Jerry, Not Gary - Speaking of retirements. Maybe we've seen the last of Uncle Gary on a softball diamond. Gary let work get in the way of a playoff game, which is as likely as he beating the Roadrunner in a foot race.
Body Snatchers - Seems like the Daytona Turtles season opening lineup was returned to normal for its playoff tilt against Beggars. The Cowboy, Hamburger Haulper, was back in the lineup that looked like to couldn't catch a ball, let alone the common cold. Thank you to Gazette field photographer Arcadius "Pops" Masterson for the photo.
Turning 30 - Happy Birthday to The Jakester who turns 30 years old on October 18th. Jake is pictured with his Godmother, Sue (aka Stapes mom, aka Richard Blatzo's sister).
Dave's Dog Training - Mr. Sutes once famously said that it was easier coaching hockey than baseball because every parent thinks they know about baseball but don't know a lot about hockey. Well, Dave is employing that same theory in a slightly different manner. It is easier to get into the mind to council a dog than a human being. Looks like Gale is the first customer. with Mr. Too Hard To Handle.
Gettin' In Good - You are probably tired of seeing pictures of Argus in the Gazette, us too. That is not what this one is about. It is about the other dog, Luke. Turns out that Luke is the umpire's dog. There is no better way to get yourself in the good graces of a person than asking about their dog. Try walking into the batters box and saying; "Is Luke your dog?" Then follow up with a; "saw him here last week, what a brilliant looking dog". Maybe he won't call a secret strike on you.
- It is no secret that Ken was a little upset last night with Noah Scotch being on hand for the playoff game. Just ask anyone who was within 75' of shouting distance from the venerable third baseman. Ken gets in the last word,
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Blue Origin - Thank you Amazon Prime customers for calling a cease fire to allow Zlogar to make the game on time. Z started the winning rally with a double and will get credit for scoring the winning run when Zoot Sute touched home in his stead for the grand finale.
Not Done Yet - Birthday boy hit for the cycle last night. Triple, HR, double, and then a layup single when Jerry Bats couldn't field a comebacker. Go have a second helping of fried rice tonight with Lonnie at Benihana.......and some cake to top things off.
Shoot the Shooter - Mackenzie is poised to take over the mantle when the Gazette is done doing its thing. It's not easy to look like you're doing nothing but working hard and keeping the wheels constantly turning to capture moments in time.
Not In My House - Ryno, who is seen here getting a high five from Sutes after a scorching double off the fence, took the victory in Tuesday evening's ball game. Ryno walked exactly ZERO hitters according to our statistician Gin E. Liver. Well done Ryno!
Belated Costume - Stapes is showing the boys the pose for the costume he never wore against the Turtles a few weeks back, The Scarecrow.
The Orb Is Back - A few years back, we caught the 11th man on the field, The Orb. Well, the Orb was back again on Tuesday night playing defense for Ivy League. A few of the Ivy players quipped that the Orb has a much better range of motion than Uncle Gary. WAO - Wins Above Orb?
Scent - Pratl was at old tricks on Tuesday. In case anyone didn't smell it, Mike fired up the sage in the dugout before the game. The wind must have been blowing in the right direction because the scent could be smelled all the way from the parking lot.
This Is For You - Harangue defined.
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