The Cubs got off to a flying start in the Roy Hobbs World Series, utilizing great pitching and solid defense to go along with a potent offense.
The morning tilt was against the St. Louis Owls. The Cubs would get on the board in the top of the first. Jack Griffin led off reaching on a two base error. He was delivered by a Jerry Rosen RBI double. The same two were at it again it the top of the 3rd, when Griffin got things going with a two out double. Rosen again drove him in, this time with a RBI double.
Andy Hoyle was the instigator in the 4th, when he led off the inning with a double. One out later, Darrell Duncan singled Griffin to third, then immediately stole second. Tim Brown executed a perfect safety squeeze to push the Cubs lead to a 3-0 lead.
The game would stay that way until the top of the 7th when Ralph Caputo led off with a single and Jim McQuade reached on an error. Pat Martone came through with the hit that broke the game open: a 2 RBI double to push the margin to 5-0. Mike Girard and Andy Hoyle followed with RBI singles to make the score 7-0.
All while this was going on for the offense, Ron Massaroni was keeping the St. Louis bats silent! He faced one batter over the minimum, with the help of 4 double plays. Ron did not allow a single runner past first base! Magnificent!
Mike Girard came in to mop up the final 3 innings and allowed 4 runs, but closed out the game with a bases loaded strike out to make the Cubs 1-0 for the tournament.
After a 45 minute break, The Cubs lined up against Mid Michigan Twins, and again used a fast start to take control of the game early. This time the Cubs were the home team and plated 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning. This time Jack Griffin led off with a walk. Jerry Rosen Singled him to third, and Mike Girard drove him in for a 1-0 lead with two men on and no outs. After a double play threatened to squash the rally, Jim Hicks breathed life in the rally with a solid single and Darrell Duncan doubled home two runs. Ron Massaroni followed with a single, and after one inning the Cubs were up 4-0.
In this game, Darrell Duncan got the start, and was almost as good a Massaroni was in game one. Darrell gave up just two runs through 7 complete innings. Jim Hicks mopped up, finishing the final two innings for the Cubs.
The Cubs now stand at 2-0 for the tournament and will next play at 5:30 pm tomorrow night at the Boston Red Sox' Jet Blue Stadium. They will be playing the Omaha Indians, a 14-1 winner of their morning game with the Mid Michigan Twins. It promises to be a great game.
