Now I know why the 35+ managers covet a first round bye so much!
It was a nail-biter in the first of two playoff games at Ichabod Crane on Saturday. The Silver Marlins pounded out 15 hits in scoring nine runs, but had to sweat out an anxious 7th inning rally by the Shasky's to move on to the quarter finals. Jim Ansel pitched the first three innings for the Marlins and only gave up two runs, but was trailing 2-0 when he left the hill. The Marlins strung together a leadoff double and 5 singles to plate four in the bottom of the third to take the lead 4-2. Mike Girard came on in relief of Ansel in the fourth and promptly gave up two runs on 3 hits and an error to allow the Shasky's to pull even at the halfway point. The Marlins line-up then put together a second 4-run rally with three singles and a double to make it 8-4. The top of the fifth saw the Shasky's close to 8-5. The Marlins closed out their scoring with a run in the bottom of the 5th with three walks and a fielders choice. That run would prove all important, as the Shasky's plated a sixth run with three singles in the sixth.
The top of the seveth inning started with the Marlins bringing in Darnell Baker to close things out. The Shaskys got the start to the rally they wanted when the first two hiiters walked, to bring the tying run to the plate with no outs. Then, Jim Ansel (filling in out in right field) made a nice running catch for the first out. The Shaskys leadoff man then walked to load the bases, with one out. Side Note: The Marlins' manager's hair was now falling out in clumps!!! Baker then got a grounder to third that was turned into a force at second by Ron Lochner, but the Shasky's scored their eighth run on the play. After a steal, the tying run was on second, with two outs.
Darnell jammed the next batter with the first pitch and fielded a weak grounder back to the mound and threw on to first to end the game. WHEW!!!
The Marlins got a three hit game from Randy Craft and two-hit games from Paul Miles, Ron Lochner, Mike Girard, Mike Clary, and Ryan Carmichael.
The Shasky's got two hits each from Tony Melendez, Mr. Burns, Scott Lawson, Manny Marufo, and Mr. Rosario. Rich Cooney had a perfect day at the plate with a single and three walks.

The Marlins move on to the Quarter Finals Tuesday night at the Bob against the Pirates.