Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
27 August 2298 - Oldsink Fires 1-0 Shutout for Goodneighbor
It wasn't easy but John Oldsink made it look that way.
Oldsink silenced the Quincy Gunners, 1-0, in a Goodneighbor Hancocks triumph at Third Rail Stadium at S. Boston HS today. Despite the appearance of dominance, Oldsink said later that he felt like he was struggling all game. He gave up 2 walks and 3 hits.
"It didn't feel quite right today, but I made the decision to bear down and work through it," he said. "I made a few mistakes but it goes to show what you can do with grit and not much else."
This year Oldsink has worked 203.1 innings with 149 strikeouts en route to a 15-5 record and a 4.03 ERA.
27 August 2298 - Hits Galore: Abern Drills 5 Hits in 18 Innings
It was a good day for the T-51s at Fallon Field at Egret Tours Marina as they clipped the Egret Ninjas, 5-4, in 18 innings. It was a tremendous day for Jonathan Abern, who was on a hitting barrage at the plate, finishing 5-for-9.
"I don't know what to call that," the Oberland second baseman told reporters after his big performance. "I'm not 'dialed in' or 'in a zone,' I just try to keep it simple. Basically the pitcher throws the ball, I try to pick up the spin, then I hit it. Today I picked up the spin pretty well."
Abern grounded out in the 1st, singled in the 4th, hit an RBI double in the 6th, grounded out in the 8th, grounded out in the 10th, singled in the 12th, singled in the 13th, singled in the 15th and flied out in the 18th.
This season Abern has banged out 118 hits in 344 at-bats for a .343 average with 5 home runs. He is getting on base at a .404 pace and his totals also include 45 RBIs and 57 runs scored.
The dream of lifting a championship banner above the home field of the Egret Ninjas has been extinguished, at least for 2298. The club was formally eliminated from playoff contention today.
Asked to comment on how he felt about the news, Ninjas manager Kip Bomb issued a one-word statement, which cannot be printed by BNN.
This is the 3rd time in a row that the Ninjas have missed the playoffs.They have yet to make the playoffs in their history.
27 August 2298 - The Slog Roughed Up by Witch Hats
Salem right fielder Chris Treestump made his presence felt in the 8-1 Witch Hats triumph over the The Slog Ghouls. Treestump belted 2 home runs. He drove in 5 runs and scored twice. Roberto Gonzales earned the win to go to 11-12. He allowed 1 run on 6 hits, with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts in 9 innings of work. The Slog is still trying to get off the schneid, having lost 7 in a row, and now three games back of Easy Town.
Salem took the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Treestump hit a 2-run home run. His 21st home run of the season made the score 3-1, Salem.
"We maximized our offense today," said Salem skipper Proper Lighthouse. "That makes everyone's life easier."
27 August 2298 - Mirelurks' 4-2 Win Puts Deathclaws on Brink
The Warwick Mirelurks picked up a win at Gwinnett Brewery Park, knocking off the University Point Deathclaws, 4-2. Starting pitcher Dave Kovalenko was a big reason why. Sheffield Williams earned his 5th save in 6 chances. Warwick has now won 4 in a row, while University Point is on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs.
Kovalenko was effective for Warwick, seldom allowing the Deathclaws to square up a pitch. The right-hander tossed 115 pitches over 9 innings. He limited University Point to just 1 run on 4 hits.
"There's no quit in this team," said Mirelurks manager Old Man Langford.
University Point needed to sweep this series to put themselves in the middle of the playoff run. Instead, after having lost the first two games of this series, the Deathclaws are now six back of the Mirelurks in the Minutemen League playoff race. To make the playoffs, the Deathclaws must win the rest, have Warwick lose the rest, and get some help from Quincy dropping enough games.
27 August 2298 - Yao Guai Creeps Closer to Swatters, Win 10-2
Elijah Horne impressed in the 10-2 FHE win over Diamond City. Horne, who is tied for 8th in the SCA in doubles with 34, was 3-4 with a home run and a double. He scored 2 runs and drove in 2. Bow Rome got credit for the win, improving to 10-9. He allowed 2 runs on 8 hits in 6.1 innings. The Swatters, now 52-50, have lost 5 straight and now lead the Yao Guai by only two games in the Railroad League wildcard race.
The Yao Guai got a big at-bat from left fielder Adam Crook. For the game, Crook went 1-3 with a home run and a walk, while scoring 2 times and driving in 4. In the bottom of the first, with the bases loaded, he stroked a grand slam home run. His 8th home run of the season gave FHE a 4-0 lead.
"It was full throttle on our side," said Horne.
27 August 2298 - Abernathy Beats Fort Hagen, 7-5, Retakes IL Lead
Austin Engill had a 3-RBI game, during Abernathy's 7-5 triumph over the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud. Engill contributed 2 singles and 1 home run to the cause. Kyle Hooch recorded the save. In save chances, he's now 3 for 4. Abernathy raised its record to 57-45 with the win, retaking the lead by a game over the Silver Shroud in the Institute League.
Po Greenzone, the slugging left fielder, had a direct impact on the outcome. Greenzone contributed a 2-run home run in the top of the first inning to put Abernathy up, 3-0.
"Win or lose, we pick each other up in this clubhouse," Engill told the Abernathy Herald.
27 August 2298 - Assaultrons Prevail, 5-3, Over Nordhagen Beach
Easy Town starter Angel Waterdrink had a strong outing against the Nordhagen Beach Party Boys at Easy Town Field. The right-hander was a big part of his team's 5-3 win. Waterdrink, now 13-11, was the winner. In 8 innings, he gave up 9 hits, while striking out 8, walking 0, and allowing 2 runs. The win elevated the Assaultrons to 59-43.
Making an impact for Easy Town was second baseman Carlos Tophat. He drilled a run-scoring double in the bottom of the second. For the game, Tophat went 2-3 with 2 doubles and a walk.
"We cashed in when we had the chance," said Easy Town manager Graham Route.
While the Assaultrons will still have a hard time catching up to the Party Boys for the Brotherhood League regular season title, they have anchored themselves into the second place slot in the league. They now lead The Slog by three games for the right to be the BL wildcard representative.
A sense of relief and excitement washed over the Nordhagen Beach Party Boys tonight as the club celebrated a playoff clinch despite the loss.
"It's a good feeling to know you're going to be in the playoffs," said second baseman Brian Masterson. "Now we can concentrate on gearing ourselves towards winning a championship."
A Sole Survivor Series win would be the 1st in team history, as well as clinching the BL sometime next week. Nordhagen Beach lost the SSS last season against Oberland.