TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP

The Astros, coming off two very good practices, appeared to be more ready to play the second leg of the Tournament Championship. There was more than a different look from the Regular Season Winners this time around, besides the Astros sporting their weekday black hats. Coach Peterkoski's win of the coin flip secured Home field advantage and the game began surprisingly right on time at 6:00pm.

Ryan Aten took to the mound for the Astros. Ryan struggled to keep his pitches down in the strike-zone but was more than enough effective as he struck-out the Angels All-Star lead-off batter, third batter and fifth batter (also an All-Star), while walking the ones in between. The Angels, held scoreless, stranded two runners.

CJ Barwise took to the mound for the Angels and in four pitches retired the first two Astros, the first by strike-out and the second when Angels catcher, Hunter Kuzlik darted out from behind home plate and made a diving catch in foul territory. A Great defensive play! However, it takes three outs in baseball to retire the side and John Grabowski would have something to say about that. Johnny drove the first pitch deep into left center field and legged a Triple to ignite a two-out Astros rally. Brandon Haney jumped in on the fun and drove a 1-1 count deep into right center for a triple of his own. Jerry King Drove in Haney with an infield single to the left side of the field, putting the Astros up 2-0. Tyler Mullins smashed his own deep fly ball into right field and the Astros continued their aggressive base running ways and sent Jerry King all the way home on the play, but the Angels did a nice job of making a great throw to the plate and Kuzlik applied the tag and the Inning ended there with the third out called at the plate. Coach Aten and Coach King take responsibility for sending in Jerry, but aggressive base running put the Astros in the Championship and aggressive running was how they planned on winning it!

The second Inning started off with poor call, in Coach Aten's opinion. Ryan Aten got the lead-off runner to hit a grounder to short and the throw appeared to be on time, but perhaps the early start for the umpires was a bit too much to ask as the runner was called safe even though he appeared to be out by a full step. Ryan struck-out the next batter, than walked the third. He got back into form on the fourth batter and struck him out for what should have been the third out of the Inning. Two consecutive walks would walk in the Angels first run, before Ryan would end the Inning by striking out the twelfth and final batter in the Angels line-up. Score after an Inning and a half: Astros 2, Angels 1

It would take another terrific defensive play by the Angels to grab two-outs early in the bottom of the second Inning. Sandra Hubler walked before Brian Devlin lined what appeared to be a well hit ball down the firstbase line, but the Angels first basemen made a great lunging grab and his momentum carried him across the firstbase bag that Sandra had already aggressively leaped off of on the hit. It was an aggressive play on an aggressive runner - Little league baseball at it's best! Ryan Aten tried to start another two-out Rally as he beat-out an infield dribbler off his bat. The drive ended there this time as Angels Pitcher, Brady Spegiel struck-out the Astros next batter. The score remained 2-1 in favor of the Astros after 2-innings of play.

Ryan Aten took to the mound for his third and final Inning, facing the top of the order. Just like in the first Inning, Ryan struck-out the Angels lead-off batter. The next batter, Hunter Kuzlik, lined Ryan's second pitch into right field and tricked the Astros into uncharacteristically throwing the ball around, creating two throwing errors on the play and when the dust settled, Kuzlik found himself standing on third. Ryan walked the third batter, then got Brady Spigiel to pop-up to the Ryan Peterkoski at second base for the second out. However, with two on, Ryan still had control problems in bringing the ball down in the strike-zone and walked two consecutive batters - the second forcing in the Angels second run. Ryan regrouped and got the third out by striking out the Angels seventh batter on three straight pitches.

Ryan finished pitching three complete Innings, facing 19 batters, striking out 8, walking 8 and giving up 2-runs on 2-hits.

The Angels turned to seldom used, Shawn Bucy to pitch the 3rd inning. Bucy did a nice job battling Xavier Elder as Xavier fouled off several pitches before taking a very well selected walk to start off the Inning. Bucy then got the Astros next batter to chase a couple of low pitches in the dirt and struck him out in four pitches. Shannon Rease got hit by a pitch, putting two on for the Astros with one-out. Bucy remained in good form as he got the Astros top of their order to fly out to second base and ground-out to short thwarting any rally before it happened. After three complete Innings of play, the score remained tied at 2-2.

The Astros sent Brandon Haney to the mound and this time it was the Angels turn to have their first batter foul off several pitches before taking a lead-off walk. The disciplined at-bat appeared to rattle Haney a bit as he hit the next batter square in the back with a hard fast ball, then walked the next two, loading the bases and walking in the third run of the game for the Angels. John Grabowski took over from there. John started off with the top of the order, getting the Angels lead-off batter to hit into a fielders choice in which Jakob Sarr fielded and got the runner out at third base, as the Angels scored another run on the play. The next batter popped-up to second base to end any more damage, but the Angels lead 4-2.

The Astros finally started to show why they carried the regular seasons best record. John Grabowski lead off with a walk. Brandon Haney drove the second pitch into right field and Jerry king drove in Johnny with a shot of his own into right field. The Angels were able to stall the drive momentarily with a  strike-out of the Astros #6 batter, But Sandra Hubler walked on four straight pitches and Brian Devlin was selective at the plate earning a walk and walking in the innings second run and tying the score at 4-all. Ryan Aten then put the ball in play and the Angels played on Jerry King with a force out at the plate. This was yet another questionable call as Jerry appeared to not only beat the ball to the plate, but the Angels catcher didn't appear to be on the plate, nor tag Jerry. The call was disputed by coach Aten, and for some reason the first base umpire interjected even though we were all scolded in the first championship game that the play at the plate was the home umpires call and no one elses. Coach Aten was ordered back to his dug out by the over-zealous shouting umpire and play resumed. With two-outs and bases loaded, Steven Brown went on a power trip of his own as he lined a 2-0 count into left-center field for a double, clearing the bases with three runs batted in and broke the game wide open! The Astros were at their five-run limit for the Inning and took back the lead at 7-4 after four innings of play.

The Angels got a run back in the top of the fifth as Sean Bucy lead the Inning off with a walk, John Grabowski retired the second batter on three straight pitches before Dan Zupan drove a base hit into left field. Bucy stole third putting runners on the corners. Johnny got the fourth batter of the Inning to ground out to himself back to the mound, but a throw to first to get the second out pulled Jerry King off the bag, making him turn his back to the plate to ensure the out at first and in the process the run scored from third.  The third out of the Inning was put away by Ryan Peterkoski at second base. After the top of the fifth the Astros lead was cut to 7-5.

The Astros having come too far to rest their bats for the winter now, started off the bottom of the sixth with a Xavier Elder double to left center field. The Angels battled back, getting two outs on a ground-out to second and a strike-out of the Astros 13th batter. With two-outs and a runner on third the Astros exploded; Jakob Sarr smashed a triple to center field, scoring Xavier, and Ryan Peterkoski followed in his foot steps by smashing back to back triples. John Grabowski kept the train moving with a single and Brandon Haney drove in two runs with a single to right field. Jerry King drove in the fifth and final run of the inning with a blast to right field as well. The Astros now appeared to be on their way to not only a Regular Season Title, but a Tournament Title as well, as they lead 12-5 through five full Innings of play.

John Grabowski, who was not scheduled to pitch in this Championship game, came out for his third Inning. Things started off rough as he hit the lead-off batter with a pitch. Johnny regrouped and struck-out the #10 and #11 batters as their coaches pleaded with them to, "Now swing the bats!" (it was too late for that). Johnny loaded the bases with two consecutive walks and the Astros coaches staff thought that they better stop things there. Jerry King was handed the ball and asked to do what he has done for the Astros all year, and that is close out ball games. Jerry fanned the last out of the Inning in four pitches and the Angels stranded three runners, scoring no runs. The Astros were also held scoreless in the sixth inning and also left three runners stranded on the bases and the game set to expire on the 2-hr time limit headed into the 7th and final inning on it's own.

Ryan Peterkoski fielded the first pitch ground ball at second and disposed of the Angels first batter. Jerry King took care of batter number two with four straight strikes (one fouled off) in striking out the second out. With just one out to go before clinching the Championship, Dan Zupan put up one last fight and lined a double into left-center field. Nerves were calmed and Jerry took the forth batter to a 1-2 count before he hit a towering infield fly ball to second base as Ryan Peterkoski positioned himself under it and made the game ending catch , solidifying the Astros near perfect season.

John Grabowski came in to bail the Astros middle relief pitching out and had a very much needed solid outing, going 2-2/3rds innings facing 13 batters, striking out 3, walking 5 and giving up 1 run on 1 hit. Johnny was the Championship games Winning Pitcher. Jerry King closed out the game facing 5 batters, striking out 2, giving up no walks and no runs with 1 hit surrendered.

Clutch hit of the game was provided by Steven Brown with two-outs in the fourth Inning, score tied at 4-all; Stevens double driving in three runs proved to be the games winning runs. Great Job Steven!

Back to back triples were recorded twice by John Grabowski and Brandon Haney in the first Inning and by Jakob Saar and Ryan Peterkoski in the fifth Inning.

John Grabowski and Ryan Aten finished with 2-hits a piece and Brandon Haney and Jerry King both went 3-for-3 on the evening.

FINAL SCORE:

ASTROS - 12

ANGELS - 5

FINAL SCORE

ASTROS - 9

ANGELS - 16

FINAL SCORE

ASTROS - 27

BREWERS - 7

FINAL SCORE

ASTROS - 20

CARDINALS - 3

The Astros Bats Thundered and Jerry King provided the pitching as the Astros overcame a great effort by the Brewers to remain undefeated (14-0) through the regular season.

Every Astro scored a run during the game and every run was needed, as the Brewers score 12 runs in the first three Innings - a number that the Astros haven't faced all season long. The Brewers lead 12-10 through three Innings of play before the Astros bats woke-up and Jerry King came in and shut them down with another great pitching performance.

Jerry King also provided the spark offensively as he hit a single, a double and a Triple on he evening. Jerry scored three runs and drove in another. John Grabowski also had three hits, going 3-for-3 with 2 RBI's. Nick LeMasters went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an Run Batted In. Xavier Elder went 2-for-2 with a walk, two-runs scored and 2-RBI's. Brian Devlin collected 2-hits a RBI and a run scored. Ryan Peterkoski reached base each time up, going 1-for-1 with a single, 2-walks and 3-RBI's. Tyler Mullins had a Triple driving in 2-runs on the hit.

The Astros scored 4-runs in the the Top of the 4th Inning, putting them up 14-12. That was all Jerry King needed as he faced 13 batters through the final 3-Innings, Allowing 0-runs, 1-hit, walking 3 and striking out 7. The Astros provided Jerry with some help, increasing the lead by scoring 2 more in the fifth and sixth Innings to win by 6-runs.

FINAL SCORE

ASTROS - 18

BREWERS - 12

The Brewers, the last team in the league that the Astros had not yet clinched a series over, brought their second place standing into an evening game against the first place Astros. The Astros lead the series 1-0 over the Brewers and a Win would secure the Astros the regular season title.

Jakob Saar (1-for-2, 2 RBI's) lead the game off with a walk, John Grabowski (2-for-4, with a double and run batted in) followed him with a single and Ryan Peterkoski (2-for-2 w/ 2-walks & 2-RBI's) loaded the bases with a base on balls. Brandon Haney (3-for-4, w/ 3-RBI's) then drove in the games first runs and Tyler Mullins (2-for-2, w/ 2-walks & 2-RBI's ) followed by driving in two more as the Astros jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The Brewers, being patient at the plate, stormed right back by forcing 6-walks off starter Jakob Saar which followed a lead off error at second by Ryan Aten, putting the Brewers up 4-3 before Ryan replaced Jakob on the mound, but not before 10 Brewers batted in the inning.

The Astros were only getting started though, the Astros put their first three batters on again in the second Inning, on a leadoff single by Ryan Aten (2-for-2, w/ a Run batted in) to start the inning followed by back-to-back walks to Sandra Hubler (2-walks & 2-runs scored) and Nick LeMasters (2-for-2, w/ two-doubles a walk and 3-RBI's). Jakob Saar forced in a run by taking a base on balls and Ryan Peterkoski drove in 2-runs with a single and Xavier Elder (1-for-3 w/ a Run batted in) and Brandon Haney followed by each driving in a run to end the Inning by way of the 5-run limit. Astros held an 8-4 lead after two.

The Astros added two more runs in the third on a walk, an error and an RBI single by Ryan Aten, scoring Brian Devlin. Nick LeMaster drove in his second run of the night with the first of two doubles. The Brewers got one run back on a lead off walk off Ryan Aten and scored within three dribblers back to the mound, which Ryan put away facing only 4- batters in the Third. Ryan was limited out on the evening, facing 11 Brewers in 2-2/3rds Innings, allowing 1-run on no-hits, 3-strikeouts and 1-walk. The Astros lead 10-5.

Both teams added a run in the fourth Inning as Jakob, Ryan Peterkoski and Brandon singled in the inning. The Brewers gaining their run on one-hit, an error and two-walks off John Grabowski. Score Astros 11, Brewers 6

The Astros poured it on in the fifth Inning, as Tyler lead off with a single and Jerry King singled, Ryan Aten walked to load the bases and Sandra walked to force in a run before Nick LeMasters crushed a towering long fly ball to deep left field, driving in a pair of runs. Shannon Rease walked, Jakob Saar batted in a run and John Grabowski doubled to end the Inning on the 5-run limit for the second time in the game. John Grabowski shut the brewers down 1,2,3 in the bottom of the Inning. John finished with facing 10 batters in 2-Innings of work, Striking out 5, giving up 1-unearned run on 1-hit and 2-walks.

Brandon Haney closed the game out, striking out 3 and walking 3 to end the game by rule of the time limit in the 6th inning

FINAL SCORE

ASTROS - 16

BREWERS - 6

Xavier Elder was the hero of the day on his 10th birthday. As he reached base safely on all 4 trips to the plate. Including a solo homer in the 5th inning. Xavier also was the closing pitcher on the tailend of the Astros 4th no hitter on the season and the 1st shut out of the season.

Johnny Grabowski went 3-for-3 with 2 doubles, a triple and 5 RBI's. Nick Lemaster went 2-for-3 with a double and a run batted in. Jerry King added a double with 2 RBI's as the Astros swept a 3 game series with the Expos.

Possibly the biggest feat in BBA history. The Astros threw 3 consecutive no hitters against the Expos in the season. Ryan Aten got the win pitching 3 shut out innings striking out 8, walking 1 in facing 10 batters. Jerry pitched 2 scoreless innings striking out 4 and walking 1 in facing 7 batters. Xavier pitched 1 scoreless inning striking out 1 and walking 2 in facing 5 batters.

FINAL SCORE

ASTROS - 12

EXPOS - 0

The Astro's bats were on fire as they produced 18 hits on the day. Jakob Saar lead all Astro's going 4-for-5 with 6 RBI's with 2 singles, a double and a triple. Brian Devlin was 3-for-3 with 4 RBI's. Xavier Elder was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI's with 3 runs scored and 2 doubles and a triple. Ryan Peterkoski went 2-for-4 with 4 RBI's including a 3 run homer. Nick Lemaster had 2 doubles with 2 runs batted in. Ryan Aten added 2 hits on the afternoon. Shannon Rease also contributed by scoring twice on 3 walks.

The Astros pitchers, consisting of Jakob Saar, Ryan Peterkoski, Tyler Mullins, Xavier Elder, Steven Brown, Nick Lemaster and Jerry King held the Cardinals to 3 hits as the Astros breezed to a commanding win.

FINAL SCORE

ASTROS - 20

CARDINALS - 8

In the first Night Game of the season and first time playing on Field #3 this year, the Astros found themselves in an unfamiliar position, tied 5-5 after five innings of play.

Jakob Saar started the game off with a walk and Xavier "the RBI Machine" Elder batted in Saar with a double to left field. The Astros had bases loaded and no-outs, but two pop-ups (forcing the infield fly rule) hampered the rally, although Xavier was able to score on the second one after an Oriole throwing error, giving the Astros an early 2-0 lead. Ryan Aten took to the mound for the Astros. Ryan pitched very well, allowing only one unearned run through three innings, striking out 6, walking 1 and giving up only 1 hit.

The Astros added three more in the third inning. With two-outs Xavier singled to left and Ryan Peterkoski got on by way of an Oriole error. Brandon Haney then hammered his second Homer of the season driving in all three of the runs. the Astros lead 5-1.

The Orioles put together a rally of their own as three Astro errors and three walks produced 4 runs tying the score at 5-5 and the score held through 5-Innings.

It was all Jerry King from here on out, as Jerry pitched the final three innings, striking out 8, walking 2, giving up no hits or runs. Not to stop there, Jerry then came to the plate with two men on (by way of walks) and blasted a shot to deep right-center, driving in the go ahead runs. The Astros held on to remain undefeated.

FINAL SCORE

ASTROS - 7

ORIOLES - 5

The Astros bats came through on an afternoon where the pitching struggled to find the sporadic umpires strike-zone.

Brian Devlin (1-for-1 with 2-walks & 3-RBI's) had the key hit of the game, as he came to the plate in the first Inning with bases loaded, no-score & with two-outs. Brian smashed a shot into deep left-center field, clearing the bases - driving in all three runners and legged a double. Brian then stole third and was brought in on a base hit by Steven Brown. The Astros lead 4-0.

The Expos were determined to fight until the end and remained enthused throughout the contest. After the Expos were retired on two strike-outs by Ryan Aten and a ground-out, which Ryan put away to end their first at-bat, they countered with 3-runs of their own in the top of the second and cut the Astros lead to 4-3.

Shannon Rease regained form at the plate, sporting her eye glasses and fresh off a day at the batting cages on Friday afternoon. It paid off as she singled to lead-off the second Inning. Sandra Hubler (2-for-4) and Xavier Elder (2-for-3) singled behind Shannon to load the bases with no-outs. Ryan Peterkoski walked, forcing in a run. Tyler Mullins then put the ball in play, as it was mishandled by the first baseman, scoring two more runs on the play.Three straight walks, walked in the 4th and 5th run of the Inning - ending the Inning on the 5-run rule (with no outs).

The Astros held the Expos through four Innings and the Astros added three more in the bottom of the fourth. Xavier singled to left center, Ryan Peterkoski walked, Tyler Mullins singled, driving in Xavier and Brandon Haney singled, driving in Ryan P. Brandon eventually scored on a fielder choice and the Astros were leading 12-3.

The Expos still enthused and ready to fight until the end, put up 4-runs in the fifth Inning, while holding the Astros at bay. The Expos coaching staff did a nice job keeping the young team in the game until the very end when Jerry King regained form and and put the Expos away with his pitching in the 6th-Inning.

The game was shortened because of the time limit, with the Astros remaining undefeated at 9-0.

FINAL SCORE:

ASTROS - 12

EXPOS  - 7

The Cardinals gave the Astros all they could handle in the first inning, before the Astros settled down and fought back one run at a time.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 5-0 lead over the Astros before Johnny Grabowski (3-for-3) walked, Sandra Hubler (2-for-3) singled and then Brian Devlin (3-for-3) batted them in.  This trio combined for 8-hits, scored 6-runs and recorded 5 Runs Batted in, leading the Astros back from an early deficit.

The Astros scored two in the second, and one run in the 3rd & 4th inning, making the score Cardinals 5, Astros 4.

The game was blown open in the 5th inning as Ryan Peterkoski walked to start the rally. With two-outs, "the Trio" produced in their last at-bats. Johnny Grabowski singled, Sandra Hubler singled - driving in two runs, Jerry King followed suit - driving in another run and Brian Devlin doubled down the right field line scoring a run. Nick LeMasters walked and Steven Brown put the finishing touch on the inning by ripping a well hit ball into left field scoring the final run of the 5-limit rule. The Astros pulled ahead 9-5.

The Astros weren't done just yet. This team is like a freight train, once it gets rolling it can't be stopped. Shannon Rease started the 6th inning with a walk, Jakob Saar reached base on balls for the second base runner of the inning and Tyler Mullins (2-for-4, 3-RBI's) smashed a shot down the right field line scoring both Shannon and Jakob before he legged himself around the bases for an inside-the-park Home Run. Ryan Peterkoski continued the pace as he walked for the fourth time on the evening, ending his 7-game hitting streak. Ryan had batted safely in every game this season, but the Cardinals denied him of continuing the streak by hitting him with a pitch in the 1st & 3rd innings and walking him in 5th & 6th inning. With Ryan on base, Xavier Elder smashed a double down the left field line putting both runners in scoring position before Johnny Grabowski singled driving in the final runs of the 5-run rule limit for the second consecutive inning.

Jakob Saar, Brandon Haney & Jerry King combined to shut the door on the Cardinals as they combined for 5-scoreless innings, striking out 14 as the Astros came back to win 14-5.

 regrouped and struck-out the last Oriole for the Win.

 

FINAL SCORE:

ASTROS - 14

CARDINALS  - 5

The Astros put on a fantastic display of hitting in a game where the Orioles had little chance to keep pace with the league leading Astros. The Astros first seven batters, in a lineup in which Coach Aten experimented with by rearranging, went a whopping 16-for-24 (.667) from the plate. The Astros on the day hit an outstanding 20-for-36 (.556)., but batters 1-thru-7 were almost unstoppable. Ryan Peterkoski (3-for-4 w/ a double), Tyler Mullins (3-for-4), Brian Devlin (2-for-4 w/ a double), Brandon Haney (2-for-3 w/ a Home Run), Jerry king (2-for-3), Steven Brown (2-for-3), and Jakob Saar (2-for-3) paved the way for the Astros. Nick LeMasters (2-for-3) carried the bottom of the order for the Astros.

Tyler Mullins had 3-RBI's, and Brandon Haney, Brian Devlin, Jakob Saar and Xavier Elder all drove in a pair, with Ryan Peterkoski and Haney scoring three times each.

The Astros gave the league a new look and even more to worry about as Brian Devlin started the game from the mound, pitching two scoreless innings, striking out 4 and walking only one. Shannon Rease provided the 9-yr old pitching, making her pitching debut, giving up three harmless runs on two-hits, striking out 3. The leadoff single by the Orioles in the fourth broke a streak of 20-consecutive innings (86 consecutive plate appearances) without a base hit against the mighty Astros. Brandon Haney had to send chills down Brewer manager, Tom Barnhart's spine, as he scouted from the stands. Little used, Haney, made fast work of the Orioles, facing the minimum six-batters through two innings, striking out 5 with a ground-out to first. Haney threw only 5 called balls in two complete innings and blazed fastball after fastball by the dazzled Orioles. Tyler Mullins also made his 2004 pitching debut in this game, as he came in the close out a 12-run lead by the Astros. Mullins retired the first two batters by getting the leadoff batter to ground out and striking out the next batter, but allowed two on by walk before Eric Kavander single to right and Josiah Denson threaded a two-out, two-RBI shot down the first base line. Mullins regrouped and struck-out the last Oriole for the Win.

 

FINAL SCORE:

ASTROS - 15

ORIOLES  - 5

The Astros pitching staff consisting of Ryan Aten, Xavier Elder and Jerry King combined to pitch the Astros to back-to-back NO-HITTERS. Two complete games without giving up a hit, using seven different pitchers has to say something about the depth of this ball club.

Ryan Peterkoski lead all Astros with 3-RBI's, going 1-for-1 from the plate with a sacrifice fly in the first, a 2-RBI single in the third and reached base on balls in the fifth. The Astros bats weren't exactly on-fire on this night either as the Expos managed to give up only four hits to the first place Astros.

Sandra Hubler scored two of the Astros runs by reaching base on a single in the third and again after getting hit by a pitch in the fifth. Jakob Saar also provided two of the runs by leading the game off with a single in the first and walking in the third - both times being batted in by Peterkoski. Ryan Aten batted in Steven Brown in the third as well, as the Astros fought through the boredom of lack of action defending behind the superb pitching of The Astros hurlers.

FINAL SCORE:

ASTROS - 9

EXPOS  - 1

The Astros pitching staff threw a near perfect game, as they combined to strike out 20 of the 21 outs needed for a seven inning game. The only out recorded that wasn't a strike out was a fly out to right field which Tyler Mullins secured away preserving the NO-HITTER.

Jakob Saar, Ryan Peterkoski, Brandon Haney, John Grabowski and Jerry King combined to pitch the No Hitter. Ryan Aten, Steven Brown, Sandra Hubler & Nick LeMasters provided the runs as the Astros remained undefeated.

Brandon Haney lead all Astros with two-hits, including a smash double down the line in the first inning. Tyler Mullins also doubled to start off the second inning.
 

FINAL SCORE:

ASTROS - 7

ANGELS  - 1

BATTLE OF THE UNBEATENS

Even Mother Nature couldn't interfere with this Heavy Weight bout as the 3-0 Brewers took on the 3-0 Astros. After a night of strong winds and major storms that left many Cuyahoga County residents without electrical power, it was evident early that the storms had no effect on the Astros or Brewers lively bats.

Austin Barnhart started things off for the Brewers with a smash to deep left field off of starter Ryan Aten. Ryan retired the second Brwer batter by strike-out before Patrick Dolson (2-for-2) drove in Barnhart with a basehit to left. Conor scored before the Astros recorded the third out with a tag-out at third. Down 2-0 the Astros came right back. Jakob Saar (2-for-3) started things off with a hard hit ball to right. Ryan Aten and Brandon Haney (2-for-2) reached base on a walk before Xavier Elder drove in Jakob and Ryan with a 2-RBI single to left-center field.

Ryan Aten took care of things in the second and third Innings with six strike-outs  in facing seven batters. Ryan finished the day facing all 13 Brewers, giving up 2-runs on 4-hits, striking out 7, and giving up no walks. Jakob Saar picked up where Ryan left off, facing 6-batters into the fifth Inning, giving up no runs, and 1-hit with 3-walks.

With the game still tied at 2-2 in the battle for first place, Coach Aten may have asked too much of Jerry King as he came in during the fifth with runners on first and second and no-outs. Jerry retired three straight batters by strike-out which proved to be huge for the Astros. However, business wasn't taken care of just yet, the Astros still needed to score and break the tie. Tyler Mullins crushed a shot to right field that was amazingly caught. Both outfields made some amazing catches in the game, none more important than Shannon Rease catch of a well hit ball by Austin Barnhart to lead off the 4th Inning. Jerry King (2-for-2) followed Tylers robbed smash with a clean single to left. Brian Devlin walked and Nick LeMasters was hit by a pitch loading the bases and Steven Brown took four straight balls, walking in what proved to be the winning run. Austin Barnhart came in to end the Inning, recording the third out by strike-out.

Jerry King closed out the sixth 1,2,3 on a nice catch by Ryan Aten at second, a ground out back to the mound and a strike-out. As I've mentioned before in these write-ups, the Astros proved just how good of a team they are by adding those all important "Insurance runs" in the 6th. Jakob Saar started things off with a single to left, Ryan Peterkoski and Brandon Haney followed suit with singles of their own, loading up the bases. Xavier Elder drove in his third RBI on the night with a sacrifice fly to left field in which Jakob Saar tagged-up and scored. John Grabowski then drove in Ryan Peterkoski and Brandon with a shot to left field putting the game out of reach for the Brewers.

Jerry King closed out the seventh Inning, highlighted by a bare handed grab ground out at second by Ryan Aten for the final out. Jerry earned his 3rd Winning Pitching Decision of the young year. Jerry faced the minimum 9-batters in 3-Innings, giving up no-hits, no-walks, on 5-strikeouts.

FINAL SCORE:

ASTROS (4-0) - 6

BREWERS (3-1) - 2

ASTROS DEFEAT THE STATE BIRD

The Astros Jumped on the Cardinals early, then sat back and held on for their third straight Win with an 11-5 victory.

The top of the order proved to be too much for the Cardinal starters as Jakob Sarr reached base on a walk to start the game and Ryan Aten (2-for-4) doubled to left-center field to put both in scoring position. Ryan Peterkoski (1-for-1) walked loading up the bases and Xavier Elder (2-for-3) came through with a clutch 2-RBI hit to right field. Tyler Mullins (2-for-1) continued the streak with a base hit of his own and Brandon Haney (1-for-1) and Steve Brown (1-for-2) drove in the 4th and 5th run of the Inning - handing the Cardinals the 5-run rule to start the game.

Jakob Sarr took to the mound for the Astros and after walking the lead-off batter he got the 2nd and 4th batter to ground out, striking-out the #3 batter. The Astros continued to pour it on in the second. Brian Devlin reached base on a walk, Nick LeMasters singled to Left, Jakob Sarr loaded the bases up by walking and Ryan Aten drove in 2 RBI's with a shot to Center Field. Ryan Peterkoski continued the streak with a base hit to center field and Xavier Elder drove in his third RBI of the evening making the score 9-0 after and Inning and a half of play.

Jakob Saar ran into a bit of a control problem in the second and was relieved by Ryan Aten for the last out. Jakob faced 11 batters, giving up 2-runs on 1-hit, walking 5 and striking out 3. Ryan faced one batter, forcing him to fly-out back to the mound before being rested for another day.

The Cardinals walked in another run in the 3rd. Xavier Elder countered by putting the first batter on, beaning him with the first pitch. He then let his middle infielders make the plays behind him retiring the next two batters on a fielders choice force out at second before recording the third out by strike out. The Astros were held in check in the fourth as Xavier hit that second inning wall, walking five of the first six batters he faced in the bottom of the Inning. John Grabowski came in in relief walking the first batter before fanning the last two to end the Inning after the cardinals scored three runs making the score 10-5 after four Innings.

Tyler Mullins and Brandon Haney reached base on balls in the fifth before Jerry King (1-for-2) drove in Tyler with a base hit to right field. John Grabowski finished the 6th Inning holding the Cards at bay and Ryan Peterkoski, making his pitching debut faced 5-batters, striking out 3 and walking 2 to close the game.

FINAL SCORE:

ASTROS - 11

CARDINALS - 5

ASTROS COMEBACK ON ORIOLES

The Astros fell behind 5-0 after two-Innings. Jakob Saar not only relieved Ryan Aten on the mound with fine pitching in middle relief, but also went to work with his bat, reaching base safely in the 3rd, 4th and 6th Innings (on two-hits) allowing his teammates to bat him in. The top of the line-up, consisting of Jakob, Ryan and Ryan Peterkoski reached base safely 10 out of 12 plate appearances paving the way for the Astros comeback.

The Astros started off the third Inning down 5-0 with four straight hits by Jakob, Ryan A., Ryan P., and Tyler Mullins, scoring two runs in the inning. In the fourth Inning Brian Devlin (2-for-3), Sandra Hubler, Steven Brown, and Jakob started off the Inning by reaching base safely. Jakob, Ryan P. & Tyler Mullins walked, each forcing in a run and Jerry King put the ball in-play scoring the fourth run of the Inning, tying the score at 6-6.

Jerry King came in early to close the game. Jerry struck-out 6 (including the last 4-outs) in facing 11-Orioles through three scoreless Innings. Meanwhile the Astros went to work offensively again in the 6th as the three lead-off batters reached base and Jerry knocked in a pair with a 2-out RBI single to right field.

FINAL SCORE:

ASTROS - 8

ORIOLES - 6