Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kowalski
1 May 2298 - Ashfire Belts 3 HRs
Will Ashfire went yard three times in an Atom Cats victory over the Warwick Mirelurks at The Homestead today.
"I was in a groove," he said. "Every pitch they tossed up there looked like a glowing melon."
For the day, the Atom first baseman went 3-for-3 against Warwick with 3 RBIs and 4 runs scored in a brilliant display of power hitting that led the Cats to the 12-7 win.
"I tell you what. I'm shocked because I didn't think that last ball had enough to get out," he told BNN reporters in the clubhouse following the game. "I thought it was just going to be a long out."
Will Ashfire hit a solo-shot off Bobby Van Marter in the 2nd, hit a solo-shot off Bobby Van Marter in the 4th, hit a solo-shot off Bobby Van Marter in the 6th, walked in the 7th and walked in the 9th.
This season Ashfire has banged out 23 hits in 74 at-bats for a .311 average with 7 home runs. He is getting on base at a .446 pace and his totals also include 14 RBIs and 15 runs scored.
1 May 2298 - Tiller Keeps Hit Streak Alive
Jim Tiller of the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud tagged 3 hits in today's 3-0 loss to the Concord Radstags at Nuka Park to run his hitting streak to 20 straight games.
"I realize it's unlikely to have a 20-game streak and not have a couple losses mixed in," he said later. "But it still takes the fun out of it."
Jim Tiller singled in the 1st, doubled in the 3rd, flied out in the 6th and doubled in the 8th.
This season Tiller is swinging the bat at a .482 rate with 40 hits in 83 at-bats. To date he has hit 6 home runs, scored 18 runs and driven in 23.
Tiller's three hits made up 60% of his team's hits. Pitcher Johane Iwanski was the difference between victory and defeat. The Concord right-hander earned accolades in the Radstags win. The save went to Bell Franklin, his 4th this season. The victory makes Concord 6-14.
The Radstags got a big hit from left fielder Dan Erb. In the bottom of the fifth, Erb pounded a run-scoring double to left. His 5th double of the season put the Radstags ahead, 2-0.
"I just tried to make good contact," said Erb.
1 May 2298 - Watson Fashions Shutout Against Sunshine Tidings
Neil Watson went the distance at ArcJet Systems Stadium today. The Abernathy Adamantium hurler yielded 6 hits, walked 3 and had 8 strikeouts in the Adamantium 9-0 triumph over the Sunshine Tidings Chemists.
In 5 starts this season Watson has compiled a 1-1 record and a 3.28 ERA.
Jim Waples was 4 for 6 with a double, three runs, and an RBI. Donny Kowalski was 2 for 4, with a double, a three-run homer, a run scored, four RBI, and a walk.
"We played like a team today," Adamantium manager Chase Stingwing said. "I like where this team is headed. Hopefully we have a lot more games like this than the opposite game where we can't pitch or hit."
1 May 2298 - Witch Hats Get Zilch in 3-0 Loss to Party Boys, Diehl
All went well for Casey Diehl of the Nordhagen Beach Party Boys as he pitched his team to a 3-0 shutout victory over the Salem Witch Hats at Slocum's Joe Seaside Stadium, limiting them to 4 hits. In the postgame interview, both managers had glowing things to say about Diehl on the day.
"Casey's got a good selection of pitches he can throw at a guy," said Party Boys manager Craig Robinson. "He changes speed, gives different looks to different hitters. When he's on his game, he's quite a handful."
In the contest, the Nordhagen Beach right-hander rang up 4 and surrendered 1 walk.
"He didn't give us any second chances," said Witch Hats manager Proper Lighthouse. "It's a guessing game with him and today we were always guessing wrong."
To date this year, Diehl shows a 3-0 record, 5 starts, 32.2 innings, 14 strikeouts and a 4.96 ERA.
The Witch Hats did not score a single run in the last 25 regular innings in being swept by the Party Boys. Their only runs since scoring three in the 2nd inning of Game One came in the 10th inning of Game Two. Salem score five total runs in three games at Nordhagen Beach.
"Our offense was disgusting this weekend," Lighthouse said. "I am embarrassed for our hitters. I'm embarrassed for [hitting coach] Matt [Underwood]. I'm embarrassed for [owner] Barney [Rook]. We stunk."