The Mudhens' Battle of Plattsburgh vs. the Cardinals lived up to the hype. Plattsburgh stymied the elemental force that is Dan Hoffman's right arm in game one, earning a win vs. the then-CVBL Pitcher of the Week. In game two, however, Mike Bergman turned in a Pitcher of the Week performance of his own, all but shutting down the vaunted Cardinal offense for seven innings to secure a split of the doubleheader. As if his arm didn't give enough to the 'Hens on its own, Bergman also used the Plattsburgh series to regain the status that had eluded him for the better part of 3 years: premier hitter. Chiefy B's 3 for 3 day vaulted him into the upper echelon of the CVBL batting ranks.
The 'Hens parlayed their Game Two momentum into another outstanding effort in an exhibition versus the Brockway Fighting Mechanicals. Undaunted by the ill-conceived exclamations of the ever-grating Rany Lozier, the 'Hens battled their way shorthanded to a 3-2 victory. Prominant in the minds of fans from that evening is a towering 370-foot shot by superpitcher Dan Hood. Although it doesn't show up in his stats, the bomb was universally acknowledged by the crowd as the type that will be remembered for years to come.
Following the Brockway win, it seemed like there was nothing that could possibly derail the Mudhens Express. The dreaded Tupper Lake trip, however, proved to be C. R. Tunes' undoing. Your heroes were hounded throughout the twinbill by swirling winds and unfortunate defense, and the result was a long trip back to Clinton County with two more in the L column. Outside of some superb action shots and a 4 for 8 day from Mike Bergman, almost nothing positive could be taken from the series. The Mudhens arrived in Tupper a team on a mission, and departed as dejected as the play of the Travises was fundamentally unsound.
The Mudhens' bats fall silent this weekend in honor of the birth of our great nation, and although this has drawn vocal disappointment from certain of the roster, perhaps it's just what the Mudhens need. The time has come for Barnard and Co. to stand back for a moment and evaluate what they've had to work with this season, and what they've done with it. The potential is enormous: pocket aces in Hoffer and Bergman, all-league batsmen in Davidson, Bordeau and Bergman, veteran leadership in Barnard and LeClaire. This team can win every game it plays, and should win most of them. 228 years ago next Sunday, a team with similar talent stepped up to realize the potential that had been there all along. That team was the Founding Fathers, and playing their best resulted in the U S of A. Next to that, a little league title doesn't look so difficult after all. Lefty. Two weekends from now. Be there.
MUDHEN ROUNDUP!
HAIL TO THE THRES - The atmosphere witnessed at Yankee Stadium during Vice President Cheney's visit this past week was rivaled by that found at Lefty Wilson Field two weeks ago, when Plattsburgh Common Council candidate Theresa Bennett put in a visit with her family to catch the 'Hens and Cards. Security was tight, resulting in somewhat low attendance figures, but those who did manage to pass the various background checks and friskings required for admittance to the game were afforded a glimpse of a local political legend. Mrs. Bennett and her family were forced to leave the festivities after a few innings to attend to more pressing engagements, but their presence created a palpable sense of awe in the stands: "I was afraid to even say anything to her," remarked season ticket holder Dana MacDougal.
WAIT, SOMETHING BESIDES SPAGHETTIOS? - In a gesture heretofor unknown to those familiar with the parties, Grace Bergman atoned for her obvious "message boo" toward Aaron Bennett in Saranac by offering him a peace sandwich for the Tupper Lake series. Bennett, clearly touched by the gesture, ate the sandwich. If the Middle East could only follow their example, the world might not be such a screwy place.
MR. SAFETY RIDES AGAIN - The Mudhens were treated to an unexpected piece of fan support last Sunday when James Edward Calnon made an unannounced visit to Tupper Lake. After posing in his Mudhens pullover (you'll be able to catch it in the Fan Zone soon), Calnon stayed for the balance of the doubleheader, grumbling at umpires and pacing around like a man possessed. Kudos to you, Jim...Eddie...whatever. Your type of dedication is what Mudhens baseball is all about.
ALWAYS HAPPY TO HELP A GOOD CAUSE - Following the Tupper Lake doubleheader, Mudhens players Mike Bergman and Dan Hoffman and sportswriter A. P. Bennett accepted an invitation from Timberjaxx hurler and longtime pal Ryan "Twinkletoes" Desmarais to participate in a charity wiffleball game in his hometown. Mike put on an offensive show, sending several balls deep into foliage, while Bennett evinced an unexpected degree of wiffling talent. A truly untenable error by Hoffman in the bottom of the ninth cost his team the win, but from the standpoint of the event, everybody won.
THE BIG DAY APPROACHES - Roger Barnard wishes to remind Mudhens Nation that the Fabulous C. R. Tunes Mudhens Benefit Drawing will take place during the July 11 doubleheader vs. Lyon Mountain at Leftward Wilson Field. Prizes range from Mudhens autographed memorabilia to phantom gas money, so be sure to be there with ticket in hand!