The rain stopped long enough for the Legends of Spring to get in their full slate of makeup games on Memorial Day Weekend. In fact, the Flying Squirrels and the Outlaws took advantage of a break in the weather to play an additional game on the Thursday prior to their weekend games.
After five weeks of play the hotly contested 40+/30+B Division is locked in a three-way tie between the Gashouse Gang, Generals, and Redlegs, with the Blue Jays notching a big first win in their inaugural season.
In the 30+ Division, Thunder South maintains a slim one game lead over the Lollygaggers and Padres, with the Nationals right on their heels at two games back.
And in the 19+ Division, the Hurricanes and Outlaws are vying for first place with the Flying Squirrels, who hold a slim 1/2 game lead.
Flying Squirrels in first place despite loss to Canes
by Curtis Nadeau
It was a great day for baseball on Sunday at beautiful South County as the Flying Squirrels and Hurricanes got together for the second installment of this hotly contested rivalry. It was a classic back and forth game, and the Squirrels and their short-handed pitching staff came up a little short.
The Hurricanes struck first in the bottom of the first with one run, but that was quickly erased in the top of the 2nd as the first batter of the inning, Kevin C. hit a monster home run to left center field. Fill-in Squirrels starting pitcher Bill R. was excellent for his five innings of work, limiting the strong Hurricanes offense to just two runs on five hits.
After five innings, the Squirrels held a 5-2 advantage, but the Hurricanes would battle throughout the next four innings, scoring three in the 6th to tie the score 5-5. Then matching the Squirrels with two in the 7th to tie the score 7-7, and scoring 2 in the 8th to go into the 9th trailing by one.
The Flying Squirrels were unable to add any insurance runs in the top of the 9th, so they took a one run lead into the final frame. Squirrels pitcher Dustin B. gave it all he had after hurling four innings of one-run ball against the Outlaws three days earlier, but it wasn't enough. The Hurricanes were able to plate two runs on a misplayed ball in the infield and the Hurricanes walked-off with the 11-10 victory.
These matchups against the Hurricanes are the only ones the Squirrels can't seem to get into the win column, as their record now moves to 4-1-1, with both "1s" coming against the Canes.
Squirrels top Outlaws in weeknight game
by Curtis Nadeau
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| The Flying Squirrels and Outlaws play under the lights at Veterans Park with Squirrels batting. |
In the top of the 6th, the Squirrels' bats woke up and they plated three runs off two walks and two hits including a huge double by Kevin C. with two outs.
The Squirrels kept the offense rolling in the 7th inning, scoring five more runs on six hits to take a commanding 8-1 lead over the battle-tested Outlaws.
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| Flying Squirrels get ready to square off against the Outlaws in their Thursday night game. |
In the bottom of the 8th inning, the Outlaws would indeed battle back, scoring five runs of their own off two walks and three big hits. The Flying Squirrels stuck with the formula and put J. Britt back on the mound for the bottom of the 9th, and he was able to shut the door after a leadoff walk to make things interesting.
The Squirrels got the win 8-6 to improve to 4-0-1 on the season, knowing full-well that this is likely not the last of the Outlaws they will see.
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| The 19+ Division Flying Squirrels between innings at Veterans Park Thursday night. |
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