The 62 Division Round Robin play began with a matchup of the #1 Arachnids (fewest runs allowed) vs. the #4 Cardinals (most runs scored). Which team would prevail????

In the top of the 1st the visiting Cardinals came ready to play. After Wayne Nicholsen retired the first two Cardinals batters on ground balls, Don Shultis & Steve Schafer both singled. Bill Chichester then worked out a walk to load the bases. But that was all ground baller Nicholsen would permit, as he got the next batter to hit into a 4-3 ground out. In the bottom of the 1st, the Arachnids wasted no time starting their own rally. Bob Bolt led off with a walk, Darrell Duncan then singled (first of his 4 hits). TJ Scorsone then doubled down the left field line scoring Bolt and Duncan. After an L-3 out, Lee Madsen then scorched a deep line drive double to the left field corner. Next batter Stefan Koutsakis was HBP putting runners on 1st and 2nd base. Tom King then hit a ball to shortstop who made a nice play getting Madsen at third. Jim Wing then singled scoring Koutsakis from 2nd base. Bill Chichester then got the 3rd out. Arachnids jump on top 4-0 at the end of 1 inning of play.

In the top of the 2nd inning, Nicholsen retired the Cardinals, only allowing a walk. In the bottom half of the inning, the Arachnids add 2 more runs on a single by Nicholsen, a walk by Bolt, and a 2-RBI double by Duncan. Arachnids increase their lead to 6-0.

Nicholsen retired the Cardinals again in the top of the 3rd, allowing only 1 hit. In the bottom of the inning the Arachnids added another run on an E-4, followed by a Jim Wing single and a Don Wixon RBI single. Arachnids looked to have a comfortable 7-0 lead after 3 innings. However, the Cardinals and their high-powered offense said not so fast.

In the top of the 4th, a shallow fly ball to RCF could not be held onto by the hard charging RF. After a FC and a 5U out, Al Freer doubled down the left field line scoring Chichester from 2nd base. Ed Potash then followed with a double of his own to left scoring Freer. The score was suddenly cut to 7-2. However, Nicholsen got the next batter to fly out to RF. In the bottom of the 4th the Arachnids piled on 4 more runs on 5 singles (Bolt, Duncan, Scorsone, Madsen, Koutsakis) to break the game open, 11-2 Arachnids.

Scorcone relieved Nicholsen in the 5th inning and held the Cardinals scoreless, only allowing a leadoff walk. In the bottom half of the inning, the Arachnids got their 12th run on a single by Bolt, a Duncan single, a 4-3 ground out advancing the runners, then a wild pitch scoring Bolt. Arachnids up 12-2.

In the top of the 6th, Duncan relieved Scorsone and retired the Cardinals 1-2-3. The game was called due to time limit (7:30pm) as the 62 Yankees/Americans game was scheduled for 7:45pm.

Final Line
Cardinals 2-5-3
Arachnids 12-15-3


-- Edited by spakids03 on Tuesday 29th of July 2025 12:02:15 AM