November 23, 2007

FALLS LAKE FIRE ANTS WIN WORLD SERIES 

 Matt Holliday named MVP!

Jim Galloway’s Falls Lake Fire Ants needed only 5 games to win the LBL’s inaugural World Series, besting the Tropical Depressions 4 games to 1. Good job Jimbo.

GAME 1: Garrett Atkins smashed 2 homeruns and had 3 RBI as the Falls Lake Fire Ant stopped the Tropical Depressions in 14 innings by a score of 7 to 5 at Great American Ballpark. The score was tied at 5 after nine.  Falls Lake won the hard fought contest in the 14th inning.  After an out was recorded, Esteban Yan started the attack as he doubled.  Atkins came next and he cracked a two-run shot (his 2nd of the season) making Falls Lake the victor and beginning a joyous home town celebration.  Falls Lake out-hit Tropical for the game, 13 hits to 8. Esteban Yan(1-0) went 2 innings allowing no runs for the win. Dave Borkowski(0-1) was hit with the loss in relief.  He gave up 2 hits and no walks in 1/3 of an inning.

GAME 2: 46,109 fans watched an exciting game at Great American Ballpark.  The Tropical Depressions topped the Falls Lake Fire Ants by the slimmest of margins, 4 to 3. Tropical tallied 2 runs in the top of the 2nd inning when they had 3 base hits.  It was enough to earn the victory.  Falls Lake made it exciting in the9th, but they were unable to push the needed runs across.  Matt Morris(1-0) went 6 and 2/3 innings allowing 3 runs for the victory. Morris got relief help from Bob Howry who gained credit for his 2nd save. The loss was charged to Tom Glavine(0-1).  He gave up 7 hits and 3 walks in 6 innings.  'We lose our concentration for one pitch, and we lose the game.' James Galloway said after the game.  'Maybe now these guys will listen when I say they have to concentrate on EVERY pitch.’

 GAME 3:  Matt Holliday had 4 hits and 5 RBI as the Falls Lake Fire Ants topped the Tropical Depressions by a score of 13 to 7 at Minute Maid Field. Holliday was a one-man wrecking crew.  He doubled which plated a run in the 2nd inning, doubled plating two runs in the 3rd inning, tripled in the 7^th inning and cleared the fences for a two-run home run (his 1st of the season) in the 9th inning.  Due to a poorly pitched ballgame, scoring in 6 different innings was still not enough for Tropical to come away with the victory.

Duaner Sanchez(1-0) got credit for the victory, pitching 1 and 1/3 innings and allowing no runs. Jeff Francis(1-1) suffered the loss.  'I felt great out there tonight' Holliday said.  'I was seeing the ball perfectly, and I was right on it with my swing.

GAME 4: 49,410 fans watched an exciting game at Minute Maid Field.  The Falls Lake Fire Ants topped the Tropical Depressions by the slimmest of margins, 9 to8. The score was knotted at 7 after nine innings.  Finally, Falls Lake pulled the game out in the 12th inning.  Craig Wilson was the sparkplug when he hit abases-empty home run (his 1st of the season).  After an out was recorded, Adam Laroche came up and he lofted a solo-blast 'downtown' (his 2nd of the season).  Despite losing, Tropical out-hit Falls Lake 15 to 11. 

Bob Wickman(1-0) was the winner allowing no runs in 1 inning. Tom Glavine earned his 1st save.  Scott Schoeneweis(0-1) took the loss in relief. 

GAME 5: At Minute Maid Field the Falls Lake Fire Ants easily handled the Tropical Depressions by the score of 12 to 8. Falls Lake took the lead off Josh Johnson in the first inning when they scored 3 runs on 2 hits.  The critical plate appearance was by Adam Laroche who quieted the crowd when he lost the ball over the fence for three runs (his 3rd of the season).  Both teams ended up with 14 on the night.  The victory went to Tom Glavine(1-1) who went 5 and 2/3 innings, allowing 2runs. Johnson(0-2) was the losing pitcher.  He allowed a few too many base runners giving up 11 hits and 6 walks in 7 innings.  All Manager Billings can do now, is wait til next year!

Hey, good job to everyone who played their games, and especially to those guys who went beyond, in helping make our first season a success. Yes, I have made plaques for the Division, Wild card and World Series winners. They should be coming to your mail box shortly. I’ll have more to say about the off-season and next year, once I get over this bitter defeat at the hands of Galloway.

Later, Ralph