Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
18 July 2298 - Roxbury Trades Mutfruit for Vault 81's Fantas
The Roxbury Knuckle Punchers and Vault 81 Dwellers have put the finishing touches on a deal that was weeks in the making. Roxbury will part with 33-year-old RHP Nick Mutfruit, while the Dwellers have dealt 19-year-old minor league CF Chris Shamblin and 21-year-old minor league C Ryan Fantas.
"This one took a while to figure out," said Roxbury general manager Kyle Wolf. "We must have gone back to the drawing board five or six times over the past few weeks. I'm glad we finally got the deal done. I think it is a good one for both clubs."
This season Mutfruit has compiled a 4-12 mark with a 6.89 ERA.
18 July 2298 - BMU: Scram Commonwealth Association's Hottest Hitter
Brian Scram is respected by most Malden Grognaks fans for his no-frills style of play. The 27-year-old first baseman went about his business with vigor last week to grab the Commonwealth Association Player of the Week honors.
He compiled a .545 average (6-for-11) with 2 home runs, 5 RBIs and 5 runs scored.
18 July 2298 - BMU: Blueprint Wins MA Player of the Week Prize
21-year-old Kelvin Blueprint made a few Boston Common headlines during this past week as the rookie center fielder proved he could compete at the plate with his high-school idols. He captured the attention of fans, journalists and Massachusetts Association officials last week and today took home Player of the Week honors for his effort.
He cracked 6 hits in 12 at-bats to put up a .500 average. Blueprint collected 2 home runs, 7 RBIs and scored 3 runs.
For the season, Blueprint is hitting at a .321 clip with 5 home runs, 22 RBIs and has scored 21 runs. He has 59 hits, 9 walks and a .362 on-base percentage.
18 July 2298 - Week's Top Player: Starlight's Higinbotham
Glenn Higinbotham demonstrated his potential to be a star in the game last week and today he took home the North Charles Association Player of the Week Award.
The Starlight center fielder wreaked havoc on opposing pitchers last week, pounding them for a .500 average (11-for-22) with 4 home runs and 6 RBIs on his way to claiming the honor.
Higinbotham is swinging at a .338 pace on the year with 14 home runs, 51 RBIs and 63 runs scored. He has played in 73 games.
18 July 2298 - Hancocks Hayes SCA Hitter of the Week
It can be difficult for a young player to step out of the shadows and assert himself in the South Charles Association, but last week Jumper Hayes of the Goodneighbor Hancocks reminded everyone just why he's here as he threw up numbers that made him an easy selection for Player of the Week. Hayes rocked opposing pitching for a .556 average (10-for-18), 2 home runs and 6 RBIs to come away with the award.
This year Hayes has collected a .366 batting average to date with 113 hits in 309 at-bats, 60 RBIs, 8 home runs and scored 66 times. He has played in 73 games.
18 July 2298 - BMU: Caps Powers Aquaboys to 11-8 Win
Tony Caps was a vital contributor to the 11-8 Eastlake victory over Forest Grove. The Aquaboys first baseman went 4 for 4 with a home run, 3 singles, and a walk, while scoring 3 runs and driving in 3. Wino Wilhelm locked down his 10th save. Eastlake now has a record of 26-26 with the win.
John Yaoguai helped out the Eastlake cause in the top of the fourth inning with a 2-run double. For the game, the second baseman went 2 for 4 with a double and 2 walks. He scored 4 times and drove in 2.
"Nice to tuck this win away," said Caps.
18 July 2298 - BMU: Eakle, Lifegivers Wallop Raybathers, 11-0
In baseball, each game is unique. This one was no different.
The Union Hope Lifegivers met little resistance from the Mystic Pines Raybathers, beating them 11-0 at Wattz Park. Chris Eakle led the way. He was 1 for 2 with a home run and 3 walks, while scoring 2 times and driving in 4 for Union Hope. Union Hope raised its record to 28-24 with the win.
With Union Hope leading 4-0 in the top of the seventh, Eakle came up to bat against Mystic Pines pitcher Chad Hartwig. Eakle hit a changeup to left-center for a grand slam home run. His 11th home run of the season put the Lifegivers on top, 8-0.
"We put it together today and came out with the win," Eakle said in postgame remarks. "That's the main thing."
18 July 2298 - BMU: Spy Hunters Deal Strongbacks 10-6 Loss
The Taffington Boathouse Spy Hunters beat the Outpost Zimonja Strongbacks, 10-6, at Drumlin Diner Picnic Park. The Spy Hunters got a fine performance from right fielder Kyle Quickfingers, who was 2 for 5 with a home run, a double, and a walk. He scored 2 times and drove in 4. The loss makes Outpost Zimonja 26-26.
Taffington Boathouse used the timely hitting of Carlos Tophat to seize the win. The second baseman stroked a run-scoring single in the top of the eighth inning to put the Spy Hunters on top, 8-6. It was his only hit in 5 at-bats, but it was a game-changer.
"Winning never gets dull," said Quickfingers.
18 July 2298 - BMU: Robotics Experts Trounce Grognaks, 10-2
Galleria starter Mike Longwalk kept the Malden hitters in check, helping his team cruise to a win, 10-2. Longwalk, the winner, moves to 2-4. He threw 6 innings of 4-hit ball, while fanning 6 and giving up 3 walks. With the win, Galleria pushed its record to 32-20.
Lux Schwartz had a critical at-bat with two out in the bottom of the sixth for Galleria. He came through with a bases-clearing double to put Galleria in front, 6-2.
"Good baseball players make you a smarter manager," said Galleria manager Alfredo Barios.