On another warm, sunny Wednesday night at Watervliet HS, the Arachnids got the ball rolling, literally, in the top of the 1st inning. Following a leadoff soft-liner out to the Peppers shortstop, the Spiders took advantage of 2 infield hits, one airborne outfield hit and 3 infield errors to plate 5 runs. In the bottom of the 1st, the Peppers quickly started their response. Leadoff hitter Dave Reed started it off with a single. Bob Bolt, pitching for the Arachnids, got the next 2 batters out on a 6-3 ground out and a F8. Dave Plew then drew a walk to put runners on 1st and 3rd. Bolt got the 3rd out on a 5-3 ground out ending the Peppers threat. Arachnids 5-0 after 1 inning of play.
The 2nd inning saw the Arachnids tack on another run. Following a 6-3 out, Bolt singled. Darrell Duncan hit into a FC, erasing Bolt at 2nd base. Next batter, TJ Scorsone singled, putting runners on 1st and 2nd bases. With 2-outs, Lee Madsen then bounced a ball up the middle scoring Duncan. Jeff Whitehead then got the next batter on a deflected 1-4-3 ground out to end the top of the 2nd inning. In the bottom half of inning, after getting the first two outs, Anthony Torre battled through 7 pitches before ripping a line drive single to LCF. Bolt then retired the next batter on a F6. Arachnids led 6-0.
The 3rd inning saw the Arachnids tack on their final run for the game. With one out, Tom King singled. Courtesy runner Koutsakis advanced to 3rd base on a single by Jim Wing, between the first and second basemen. Koutsakis then scored on a 5-3 RBI ground out by Don Wixon. Whitehead then retired the next batter on a 4-3 ground out. Bolt retired the Peppers 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Arachnids increased their lead to 7-0.
The next 4 innings of play did not see any scoring action by either team. Relief pitchers did a fine job keeping both offenses at bay, and both defenses played well. The game was mostly a ground ball game, including any hits, with about only a half dozen fly balls to the OF. Peppers relief pitcher Jim Kidd made two fantastic quick-reflex catches (maybe self-defense) on hard hit line drives and turn them into inning-ending double plays. Peppers were missing a few key position players/hitters and kept it a close game. They could very well be that sleeper team come playoff time. Leading the way for the Arachnids offense: Duncan 2-4, Scorsone 2-3 BB, Saidenberg 3-4.
