Cutthroats Win First Round Game over the Dirtbags
The Cutthroats were the number two seed after it was determined that Carlos Gonzales Sports ended the regular season with a half-game lead. The 'Throats were faced against number three Dirtbags. The Dirtbags beat out the Zombies to make it into the playoffs. Last year these two teams faced off in the 1 vs 4 match-up to start the playoffs. The Cutthroats took that game 15-3.
Both teams dug in for a long game. No runs were scored in the first two and a half innings. With two outs in the bottom of the third, John Hawley blasted a ball over the fence in left-center. The solo shot gave the Cutthroats a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth, Donahue tied the game up by himself. He got a single and then stole second base. Herold threw the ball to second, but it was wide and it went into centerfield. Donahue then advanced to third. Donahue would then tie the game up off of a wild pitch.
The Cutthroats retook the lead in the fifth inning. Reichelt would hit a single. Two batters later, Sconce would hit him in. Geno Espineli would relieve Cirino for the Dirtbags. He would strike out Baughn and Cordo to get out of the inning.
In the top of the sixth, Boudrie would start things off for the Dirtbags with a single. Cavanaugh would get walked to put two runners on. Schneebeck would get a pinch hit single to tie the game up at two. Schneebeck tried to steal second but he was thrown out by Herold. Peters, the Dirtbag's next batter, hit another rbi-single to take the lead 3-2. Donahue would strike out to end the inning.
Andy Daub started the bottom of the sixth off with a single. Mark Link would follow with a single. Herold then hit a rbi-single to tie the game. Reichelt, Sconce, Baughn, and Cordo would all follow with rbi-singles. Daub would get his second single of the inning before it was all over. The Cutthroats scored six runs in the inning to take an 8-3 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, Herold started the rally off with a strikeout. It was a wild pitch, so he made it to first. Reichelt, Hawley, Sconce, Baughn, and Cordo would all follow with singles, increasing the lead to 12-3.
Mark Link was the starting pitcher for the Cutthroats. He would finish the game with the win. He only gave up three earned runs in seven innings. Graham Baughn came into pitch the eighth. The Cutthroats finished the eighth with a 6-4-3 double play.
The Cutthroats tried to end the game via mercy rule. With one out, Herold would get a single and advance to second on a passed ball. With two outs, Hawley would hit a single to advance him to third. Jorge Fernandez came into pinch hit, but his at-bat would be short lived. Herold would score on a passed ball to win the game.
The Cutthroats advance to the American League Championship for the second year in a row. They will take on the number one seed, Carlos Gonzales Sports.