The Lyle's Family Barbershop Boys Baseball team overcame a lot of adversity as they scored 3 runs in the top of the final inning to come from behind to defeat KC Summers 7-5 on Friday, June 25th, 2010. This was a tremendous victory as the squad dedicated the game prior to its start to their teammate Syrus Sears in the hopes that a win would allow their comrade to play another game with them. Lyle's faces PBPA #35 tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM with the winner facing Alamo for the city championship next week.
Preston "The Machine" Hayes led off with a single for the visiting Lyle's club, but Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" Camfield popped out to pitcher Nick Vaughn for out number 1. Donovan "Smooth Hustle" Ferguson followed with a line drive that was snagged just off the dirt by shortstop Joey Nunez for out number 2. But just when it looked as if KC Summers would get out of the inning unscathed, Konour "Slammer" Smith drove a 2-2 fastball deep into right center field for a 2 run home run. Julian "Hey Jude" Harshbarger then struck out swinging to end the top of the first with Lyle's holding a 2-0 lead.
Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" continued his remarkable tournament pitching performance as he struck out Brody Shook looking on a smoking fastball that blazed over the outside corner of the plate. Nick Vaughn coaxed a walk from Camfield before stealing second base. Jackson Nichols grounded out to first baseman Donovan "Smooth Hustle" Ferguson unassisted for out number 2 as Vaughn took third on the play. Lyle's should have gotten out of the inning still holding a 2 run lead as Joey Nunez grounded third to first but he was called safe at first base, and Vaughn was able to cross home to make the score 2-1. Noah Patterson whiffed at a knuckleball offering from Camfield for out number 3 so no further damage ensued.
Things started well for Lyle's in the top of the second as Isaac "GPS" Ray led off with a single into right field. DeAndre "Mr. Clutch" Thomas hit the ball well but right to shortstop Joey Nunez who turned the hard smash into a 6-4-3 double play. Dakota "Badlands" Vasquez popped out to third baseman Brody Shook as Lyle's half of the second inning came to a close.
Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" came out firing strikes in the bottom of the second as he struck out in succession Calvin Haney, Lance Warfel and Addison McMillian. McMillian was caught looking at a fastball from Camfield while Haney could not catch up with a Camfield fastball. Lance Warfel was left twisting in the wind as he tried to hit a knuckleball from Camfield that dropped a good 8 inches in its flight to the plate.
Lyle's increased its lead in the top of the third to 3-1. Sam "The Rally Man" Owen hit the ball hard but at the wrong spot as once again shortstop Joey Nunez was there to gather the ball in his glove and throw out Owen. Preston "The Machine" Hayes hit the ball back to pitcher Vaughn for out number 2 but Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" hit a deep fly ball into left field for a triple. Donovan Ferguson had the first of his 2 2 out RBI opportunites as he drove a fastball into left field for a double that scored Camfield from third. Konour "Slammer" Smith was caught looking to end the inning.
Preston "The Machine" Hayes began pitching for Lyle's in the bottom of the third inning. Christian Richardson was called out on strikes to start things off right for Hayes and third baseman Konour "Slammer" Smith made 2 fine plays in succession as both Daniel Carpenter and Luke Coffey grounded out third to first.
Julian "Hey Jude" Harshbarger walked to start the top of the fourth but Isaac "GPS" Ray was called out on strikes on 3 pitches. DeAndre "Mr. Clutch" Thomas walked to join Harshbarger on the basepath. Dakota "Badlands" Vasquez had a wickedly vicious cut that he just missed connecting on that would have sailed the ball into next week had he hit it, but instead he went down swinging for out number 2. Thomas and Harshbarger attempted the double steal but Thomas was called out on a phantom tag that was never applied to end the inning.
KC Summers took advantage of the gift as they scored 3 runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-3 lead. Preston "The Machine" Hayes walked Cameron Knierem to open the door for KC and Brody Shook followed his teammate through by drawing a free pass himself. Nick Vaughn hit a ball to shortstop Donovan "Smooth Hustle" Ferguson. Ferguson threw to third baseman Sam "The Rally Man" Owen but Owen dropped the ball as KC Summers loaded the bases. Jackson Nichols walked, forcing in Knierem from third. Joey Nunez hit a grounder that eluded the glove of Owen at third, scoring Shook and tying the game at 3 runs apiece. Noah Patterson hit a ball between third base and shortstop that was fielded by Ferguson, but he was unable to beat Nichols to the vacated bag at third as KC took the lead. Calvin Haney reached on a fielder's choice for out number 1 as catcher Konour "Slammer" Smith picked up the ball and touched home plate, forcing Nichols racing in from third. Lance Warfel was cut down swinging for out number 2 and Hayes got Addison McMillian to look at strike number 3 for out number 3 to bring an end to the fourth frame.
Lyle's was able to tie the game at 4 each in the top of the fifth. Sam "The Rally Man" Owen doubled down the right field line and he came home as Preston "The Machine" Hayes followed suit with a double of his own, also into right field. Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" Camfield walked but Donovan "Smooth Hustle" Ferguson struck out swinging at a very good Jackson Nichols fastball for out number 1. Hayes and Camfield pulled off the double steal, placing runners at second and third, and Konour "Slammer" Smith walked to load the bases. Julian "Hey Jude" Harshbarger and Isaac "GPS" Ray struck out as Lyle's let a very good opportunity to do further damage slip through their fingers.
With the score tied, Preston "The Machine" Hayes pitched his third consecutive inning for Lyle's. Christian Richardson hit a sinking line drive into right field for a single that just popped out of the glove of right fielder DeAndre "Mr. Clutch" Thomas, who made a terrific play just to get to the ball. Daniel Carpenter grounded out third to first as Konour "Slammer" Smith's throw to Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" Camfield easily beat the runner for out number 1, but Richardson was able to move to second on the play. Luke Coffey hit a grounder to Smith at third, but Smith hesitated just long enough to allow Coffey to reach first base safely. Smith's subsequent throw was wild and Richardson was able to come around and score as KC Summers retook the lead 5-4. Hayes then got Cameron Knierem to strike out looking to end the inning, setting the stage for some last chance heroics.
The bottom 3 of the order came to bat to start the top of the sixth inning, but as I have told the team all season long we do not have any automatic outs on this squad. They proved me right again. DeAndre "Mr. Clutch" Thomas earned his nickname again as he legged out a single up the middle as he faced a no balls and 2 strikes situation. Dakota "Badlands" Vasquez had an infield single, moving Thomas to second. Sam "The Rally Man" Owen moved Thomas to third as Owen reached on a fielder's choice with Vasquez being forced at second for out number 1. Preston "The Machine" Hayes also hit into a fielder's choice for out number 2 but Thomas was able to score from third on the play to tie it up at 5-5. Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" doubled into center field as Hayes was held at third, bringing up Donovan "Smooth Hustle" Ferguson to the platter. Ferguson drove a 1 strike fastball into right center field that scored both Hayes and Camfield as Lyle's held a 7-5 lead. Ferguson swiped third base but Konour "Slammer" Smith struck out swinging on a full count to close the inning.
Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" was back on the mound for Lyle's in the bottom of the sixth as KC Summers was poised to send the top of their order to face him. A sweet, dancing knuckleball that floated like a buttefly but stung like a bee caught Brody Shook looking as out number 1 was in the books. Nick Vaughn was also sent packing as another tantalizing knuckleball froze him at the plate. Jackson Nichols extended the inning and increased the tension, as well as this writer's blood pressure, as he drew a 4 pitch walk, but Joey Nunez was called out on strikes to end the inning and the game, only this time it came on a beautiful fastball right down central that Nunez could not pull the trigger on.
KC Summers is a very good ballclub who had an exceptional season. It is now time to take care of business with PBPA #35 tomorrow.
Konour Smith, Quinn Camfield and Donovan Ferguson were all awarded game balls, Smith for his home run and good defense at thrid base, Camfield for his hitting and great pitching, and Ferguson for his superb defense and his game winning 2 out RBIs.
Preston "The Machine" Hayes led off with a single for the visiting Lyle's club, but Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" Camfield popped out to pitcher Nick Vaughn for out number 1. Donovan "Smooth Hustle" Ferguson followed with a line drive that was snagged just off the dirt by shortstop Joey Nunez for out number 2. But just when it looked as if KC Summers would get out of the inning unscathed, Konour "Slammer" Smith drove a 2-2 fastball deep into right center field for a 2 run home run. Julian "Hey Jude" Harshbarger then struck out swinging to end the top of the first with Lyle's holding a 2-0 lead.
Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" continued his remarkable tournament pitching performance as he struck out Brody Shook looking on a smoking fastball that blazed over the outside corner of the plate. Nick Vaughn coaxed a walk from Camfield before stealing second base. Jackson Nichols grounded out to first baseman Donovan "Smooth Hustle" Ferguson unassisted for out number 2 as Vaughn took third on the play. Lyle's should have gotten out of the inning still holding a 2 run lead as Joey Nunez grounded third to first but he was called safe at first base, and Vaughn was able to cross home to make the score 2-1. Noah Patterson whiffed at a knuckleball offering from Camfield for out number 3 so no further damage ensued.
Things started well for Lyle's in the top of the second as Isaac "GPS" Ray led off with a single into right field. DeAndre "Mr. Clutch" Thomas hit the ball well but right to shortstop Joey Nunez who turned the hard smash into a 6-4-3 double play. Dakota "Badlands" Vasquez popped out to third baseman Brody Shook as Lyle's half of the second inning came to a close.
Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" came out firing strikes in the bottom of the second as he struck out in succession Calvin Haney, Lance Warfel and Addison McMillian. McMillian was caught looking at a fastball from Camfield while Haney could not catch up with a Camfield fastball. Lance Warfel was left twisting in the wind as he tried to hit a knuckleball from Camfield that dropped a good 8 inches in its flight to the plate.
Lyle's increased its lead in the top of the third to 3-1. Sam "The Rally Man" Owen hit the ball hard but at the wrong spot as once again shortstop Joey Nunez was there to gather the ball in his glove and throw out Owen. Preston "The Machine" Hayes hit the ball back to pitcher Vaughn for out number 2 but Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" hit a deep fly ball into left field for a triple. Donovan Ferguson had the first of his 2 2 out RBI opportunites as he drove a fastball into left field for a double that scored Camfield from third. Konour "Slammer" Smith was caught looking to end the inning.
Preston "The Machine" Hayes began pitching for Lyle's in the bottom of the third inning. Christian Richardson was called out on strikes to start things off right for Hayes and third baseman Konour "Slammer" Smith made 2 fine plays in succession as both Daniel Carpenter and Luke Coffey grounded out third to first.
Julian "Hey Jude" Harshbarger walked to start the top of the fourth but Isaac "GPS" Ray was called out on strikes on 3 pitches. DeAndre "Mr. Clutch" Thomas walked to join Harshbarger on the basepath. Dakota "Badlands" Vasquez had a wickedly vicious cut that he just missed connecting on that would have sailed the ball into next week had he hit it, but instead he went down swinging for out number 2. Thomas and Harshbarger attempted the double steal but Thomas was called out on a phantom tag that was never applied to end the inning.
KC Summers took advantage of the gift as they scored 3 runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-3 lead. Preston "The Machine" Hayes walked Cameron Knierem to open the door for KC and Brody Shook followed his teammate through by drawing a free pass himself. Nick Vaughn hit a ball to shortstop Donovan "Smooth Hustle" Ferguson. Ferguson threw to third baseman Sam "The Rally Man" Owen but Owen dropped the ball as KC Summers loaded the bases. Jackson Nichols walked, forcing in Knierem from third. Joey Nunez hit a grounder that eluded the glove of Owen at third, scoring Shook and tying the game at 3 runs apiece. Noah Patterson hit a ball between third base and shortstop that was fielded by Ferguson, but he was unable to beat Nichols to the vacated bag at third as KC took the lead. Calvin Haney reached on a fielder's choice for out number 1 as catcher Konour "Slammer" Smith picked up the ball and touched home plate, forcing Nichols racing in from third. Lance Warfel was cut down swinging for out number 2 and Hayes got Addison McMillian to look at strike number 3 for out number 3 to bring an end to the fourth frame.
Lyle's was able to tie the game at 4 each in the top of the fifth. Sam "The Rally Man" Owen doubled down the right field line and he came home as Preston "The Machine" Hayes followed suit with a double of his own, also into right field. Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" Camfield walked but Donovan "Smooth Hustle" Ferguson struck out swinging at a very good Jackson Nichols fastball for out number 1. Hayes and Camfield pulled off the double steal, placing runners at second and third, and Konour "Slammer" Smith walked to load the bases. Julian "Hey Jude" Harshbarger and Isaac "GPS" Ray struck out as Lyle's let a very good opportunity to do further damage slip through their fingers.
With the score tied, Preston "The Machine" Hayes pitched his third consecutive inning for Lyle's. Christian Richardson hit a sinking line drive into right field for a single that just popped out of the glove of right fielder DeAndre "Mr. Clutch" Thomas, who made a terrific play just to get to the ball. Daniel Carpenter grounded out third to first as Konour "Slammer" Smith's throw to Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" Camfield easily beat the runner for out number 1, but Richardson was able to move to second on the play. Luke Coffey hit a grounder to Smith at third, but Smith hesitated just long enough to allow Coffey to reach first base safely. Smith's subsequent throw was wild and Richardson was able to come around and score as KC Summers retook the lead 5-4. Hayes then got Cameron Knierem to strike out looking to end the inning, setting the stage for some last chance heroics.
The bottom 3 of the order came to bat to start the top of the sixth inning, but as I have told the team all season long we do not have any automatic outs on this squad. They proved me right again. DeAndre "Mr. Clutch" Thomas earned his nickname again as he legged out a single up the middle as he faced a no balls and 2 strikes situation. Dakota "Badlands" Vasquez had an infield single, moving Thomas to second. Sam "The Rally Man" Owen moved Thomas to third as Owen reached on a fielder's choice with Vasquez being forced at second for out number 1. Preston "The Machine" Hayes also hit into a fielder's choice for out number 2 but Thomas was able to score from third on the play to tie it up at 5-5. Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" doubled into center field as Hayes was held at third, bringing up Donovan "Smooth Hustle" Ferguson to the platter. Ferguson drove a 1 strike fastball into right center field that scored both Hayes and Camfield as Lyle's held a 7-5 lead. Ferguson swiped third base but Konour "Slammer" Smith struck out swinging on a full count to close the inning.
Quinn "The Eskimo Mr. Cool" was back on the mound for Lyle's in the bottom of the sixth as KC Summers was poised to send the top of their order to face him. A sweet, dancing knuckleball that floated like a buttefly but stung like a bee caught Brody Shook looking as out number 1 was in the books. Nick Vaughn was also sent packing as another tantalizing knuckleball froze him at the plate. Jackson Nichols extended the inning and increased the tension, as well as this writer's blood pressure, as he drew a 4 pitch walk, but Joey Nunez was called out on strikes to end the inning and the game, only this time it came on a beautiful fastball right down central that Nunez could not pull the trigger on.
KC Summers is a very good ballclub who had an exceptional season. It is now time to take care of business with PBPA #35 tomorrow.
Konour Smith, Quinn Camfield and Donovan Ferguson were all awarded game balls, Smith for his home run and good defense at thrid base, Camfield for his hitting and great pitching, and Ferguson for his superb defense and his game winning 2 out RBIs.
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