NBC World Series Day 4

Summer Collegiate games not only are fun to watch, but the names of the teams elicit a smile as well. Wednesday's games had teams with names such as Larks, Capahas, Apollos, Studs and Griffons. Here's a recap of the games yesterday...

....The Hays Larks soared past the Plaza Tire (MO) Capahas 9-2. Getting a late start on scoring, the Larks scored eight of their nine runs with two each coming in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Larks catcher Ollie Goulder stood out with one run scored, three hits and three RBI in four at bats. Larks pitcher Andrew Hecks struck out seven batters and threw for eight innings. The win moves the Larks on to face the Conejo (CA) Oaks on Friday.

....The National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series continued on this week as the Valley Center (KS) Diamond Dawgs took on the visiting Houston (TX) Apollos in the 5 o’clock game at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

Both teams got on the board early in this one, posting up a single run each in the 1st inning. The Apollos struck first with a single by Dane Yelowvich which drove in lead-off hitter Andrew Dunn. The Diamond Dawgs quickly answered after Kenny Kysar scored off a Jake Marasco single down right field line.

After a scoreless 2nd inning, the Apollos regained the lead in the top of the 3rd thanks to a familiar combination. Player/coach Dunn once again scored via a Yelowvich triple to right field, making the score 2-1 in favor of the visiting team.

Apollo’s starting pitcher Ben Blackburn then went to work, making quick work of the Diamond Dawgs in the bottom of the 3rd for a 1-2-3 inning. In all, Blackburn pitched five innings allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits while managing to strike out four batters.

Neither team scored again until the bottom of the 8th inning when Valley Center took its first lead of the game. Designated hitter Jeff Hutton doubled to left-center field which brought home pinch runners Darren Boss and Lioney Henriquez making the new score 3-2.

Diamond Dawgs’ relief pitcher Heath Wyatt went on to strike out Kyle Eaves looking and prompted Travis L’Hommedieu to fly out to left field for the first two outs in the top of the 9th. Derek Dibbens managed to keep hope alive for the Apollos with a line-drive single to right field, only to get caught stealing 2nd base for the final out of the game.

The Apollos will now travel to the losers bracket to face the Clarinda (IA) A’s in an elimination game, while the Diamond Dawgs advance to the third round of the winners bracket in a match up with the Chillicothe (MO) Mudcats.

....In an almost flawless game the Seattle Studs went home with a win over the Colorado Springs Doubledays 4-0. The Studs won in impressive fashion, recording zero errors and pitching a shutout. Neither of the two pitchers for the Studs walked a batter and struck out a combined seven batters. The Studs stacked their runs up early - scoring one a piece in the first, second, third and fourth innings.

A quick recap of the scoring by the studs - 1st inning: Studs left fielder Shane Shoeneberg doubled to deep center right field and scored a runner. 2nd inning: Studs leadoff hitter and third baseman Tim Steggel singled and drove in Colby Sokol. 3rd inning: A throwing error by the Doubledays right fielder allowed Mark Rockey to score an unearned run. 4th inning: After a fielding error, Nate Baker stole home and picked up the Studs fourth and final score of the game.

The Studs will move on to face the Orange County-SD Stars on 8/8. The loss moves the Doubledays into the losers bracket - where they will play the Clarinda (IA) A’s.

....In a 7-1 blowout victory the San Diego Waves defeated the Play Ball (CO) Sports in opening action on Wednesday. The Waves piled up the runs early, scoring six runs in the first inning. The Sports were unable to answer and could only score a single run which came in the third. Widening the scoring gap, the Waves capped the game with another run in the eighth and never looked back - leaving the Sports in their trail.

....Following a disappointing loss on Tuesday night the Nevada (MO) Griffons vented their frustration on the Hap-Dumont Sluggers, coming away with a 4-0 victory. Griffons pitcher Kyle Oesterreicher threw a complete game and walked no batters in an impressive shutout performance. The loss eliminates the Sluggers from the NBC World Series - while the Griffons will play on Sunday against a team to be determined.