Game 5-01

The Cutthroats started the 2016 season with a repeat match-up of last year's Championship game. Last season, the Bad News Bears defeated the Cutthroats 11-9 to win the championship-ending the Cutthroats best season in franchise history.

The Cutthroats have had a busy free agency with many acquisitions during the off-season. Two Cutthroat founders, Jon Bielecki and Kellen Sorauf, have decided to take the season off. That just leaves Mark Link and Ken Reichelt as the remaining two founders left on the team. With the open roster spots, the Cutthroats have signed two 25 year olds to help carry the load; Zach Scott and Kyle Newman are expected to be every day players for the Cutthroats.

For opening day, the Cutthroats put Zach Scott on the mound, and he was on fire. He sailed through the first five innings without giving up any runs. In the sixth inning with a runner on base, Kyle Newman missed a catcher's pop behind home plate, resulting in the Cutthroats first and only error of the game. Tim Norkus, the Bad News Bears most explosive batter, took advantage of the misplay and hit a single into left field to bring in their first run. The Bears would add another run, but because of the error, both runs would be unearned. Scott would leave after six innings without any earned runs.

Ken Reichelt got the first hit for the Cutthroats in the second inning. He hit a single up the middle which he legged out to second because of an error. He would get hit in by Newman to give the Cutthroats and early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.

It was the bottom of the fifth when the Cutthroats really blew it open. With a combination of hits, walks and errors, seven Cutthroats reached base and scored in a row. The streak was broken by the "Non-batting 9 Spot." The last two runs scored after Reichelt hit a come-backer that ricocheted off of the pitcher's mitt and hit him in the eye. The pitcher would have to leave the game. After the inning was over, the Cutthroats led 11-0.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Cutthroats needed another run so they could implement the 10-run mercy rule. Newly acquired Todd Kipnis hit a line shot to left field. Kipnis burned rubber, as he slid into third with a time of 11.6 seconds. He would later score on a wild pitch, giving the Cutthroats the 12-2 lead.

Graham Baughn came in to finish off the game for the Cutthroats. One runner got on base, but never scored, resulting in a Cutthroats' win.

Zach Scott received Cutthroat of the Week honors with his superb pitching, as well as his day from the plate. It wasn't the most spectacular game batting, but he did receive more walks batting as he threw pitching (which should probably go in the Cutthroat Almanac).

The Cutthroats will take on the Denver Chill next weekend. The Chill have dropped down from 25WAA. It should be a good game with a lot of old wounds.