2009 Adult Irish Baseball League - Game Reports

Hurricanes @ Cork - May 25

Game 1 – The Hurricanes were largely stifled by Cork’s starting pitcher through five innings, while some suspect pitching and defense on the part of the Hurricanes allowed Cork to jump out to a big lead. When Cork’s starter left the game, the Hurricanes bats began to come alive, but it was too little, too late, and the final score was 11-5. Items of note during the game were a long home run to center field by Cork’s #3 batter (and starting pitcher) and a running catch on a hard-hit ball by John Hensey, the Hurricanes’ right-fielder.

Game 2 – A sun-soaked slugfest, there were hits, walks and errors aplenty. The Hurricanes jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but could not hold onto the lead. Pete Ruotolo started the game on the mound for the Hurricanes and put in a valiant effort, but was plagued by errors and a few timely hits. In his relief was Jose Gomez, who had a similar fate. Twelve hits by the Hurricanes were not enough, as the final score was 23-18 Cork. Standouts for the Hurricanes included Ernest Hwang, who went 3-6 with a triple in his farewell Hurricanes performance, Jeremias Osio, also 3-6 with a double, and Jose Gomez with a long double of his own.

Northstars @ Mariners - May 25

The Mariners beat the Northstars 8-4 in a well contested game at Corcaigh Park on Saturday morning. Sunshine & showers marked a game in which hitting with runners in scoring made a vital difference. The Northstars left bases loaded in two innings while the Mariners drove in runners from scoring positions in a 5 run 3rd inning and a 3 run 4th innning to take a commanding lead. Play of the day went to Leo Farrell who made a superb diving catch at first base for the second last out of the game.

Northstars @ Spartans - May 25

As Darran was away in Bonny Scotland following the Leinster Wugger team Sean Mitchell took charge of The Spartan Legions. Sean started himself on the hill and he put in a commanding performance. After a very unfortunate injury to Northstars second starter John Carter, Gordy was forced to take to the mound for his second game of the day. He put in a sterling performance in both outings. Some loose defense by the Northstars coupled with some timely Spartan hitting in the first two innings meant the Spartans were up 6-0 by the start of the 3rd. The Northstars clawed their way back to get within 3 runs but Mitchell and the Spartan defence did enough to prevent a 5th inning rally. An almost error free game from the National champions and a couple of timely and pretty snappy catches from John Zulaga at 3rd base and from a certain seasoned veteran playing 1st, helped to reign in the Northstars attack. The Spartans ran out victors by the score of 6-3.

Spartans @ Hurricanes - May 30

The beautiful Irish bank holiday weekend past brought with it a terrific game of baseball between the two best clubs in Irish baseball history, The Dublin Hurricanes and The Dublin Spartans. In a game which mirrored last seasons epic twelve inning affair, this time it took eleven innings to separate the two legendary rivals.

The banner matchup produced some clutch hitting, pitching and defence as both teams strained to gain the upper hand. The clubs were tied at 2-2 after seven. The Spartans eeked out a run in the top of the ninth however the Hurricanes managed to respond, sending the tight encounter into the tenth. In the top of the eleventh the Spartans celebrated wildly as they scraped together a run. With both teams looking tired under the burning mid day sun, that run looked crucial. The veteran Canes side were undaunted. José led off the bottom of the eleventh and was hit by a pitch. Mike Johnson then dropped a banner bunt down the third base line, reaching easily. Both runners advanced another base on the throwing error by the pitcher.

The Hurricanes tough-as-nails catcher Dan Barry then got up and smashed a single to left field. José scored easily and Mike Johnson ran hard to score from second, sliding home to beat the throw. The Hurricanes were winners, 5-4.

For the 'Canes, catcher Dan Barry, outfielders Andy Martin and Tom Kelley, and third baseman Jeremias Osio made some banner defensive plays. Kelley, who is this season playing some of the best centerfield defence seen in Irish league history, has made five or six highlight reel catches already this season and is easily the defensive MVP in Irish baseball thus far. His circus act in center has taken at least a run off the ERA of Hurricanes pitching.

The hard fought Hurricanes victory leaves them at 4-0 and still undefeated in the 2009 Irish baseball season. In their first four games they have faced the Spartans twice and the Blacksox also twice, meaning they have been playing the cream of the crop of Irish baseball, and are still 4-0.

Steve DeVito

Munster @ Blacksox - May 30

Even when Cork replaced their SP who was perfect through 3 innings, the Sox looked miserable at the plate Saturday; eventually scraping a single hit to keep the record books intact. In fairness, one bad inning yielded all 4 Cork runs (unearned) which would otherwise have been a classic pitchers duel. Cork had some decent hits in the early innings but heads up defence kept the score tied at 0 until the third. Weather was fantastic though.

Kevin Dillon

Canes vs Northstars - June 6

Contrasting fortunes clashed at wet, cold and windy Corcaigh Park on Saturday 6th June. The feisty Belfast Northstars came to Dublin looking for their first win of the 2009 season while the Dublin Hurricanes were looking to remain unbeaten for the year. The weather conditions would be the story of the day. The rain started just prior to the first pitch and didn't let up to the final out.

One thing you always get with the Northstars is 100% effort, and Saturday was no different as the Belfast team made light of the horrible conditions to give the Hurricanes one of their toughest games of the young season.

The 'Canes scraped a run in the first, two in the third and a final run in the fourth inning to build a four-nothing lead against 'Stars veteran pitcher Gordon Cuthbert. Gordon is no doubt amongst the leaders in innings pitched all-time in the Irish League, something we would be sure about if the league kept statistics! Pitching in wet, windy conditions Cuthbert threw a very strong game keeping the powerful 'Canes lineup off balance all day.

For the 'Canes, as usual for '09 it was all about the defence. Considering the weather you would have understood if the 'Canes had made a few mistakes, instead the defence was absolutely perfect.

Play of the day came in the top of the fifth inning. The Northstars had runners on first and third with two outs, the rain pouring down and the 'Canes clinging to a 4-0 lead. A big hit could have made things very tight. Instead skipper Steve Divito made a play on a ground ball flipping it to second baseman Eric 'Vegas' Valkys, who threw a bullet to first, spinning the beautiful inning-ending double play.

This not only preserved the shut-out but also ended the ball game, both teams agreeing with the umpire that five innings of baseball was all we were going to get in on the rain soaked day in question.

The win pushes the Hurricanes to 5-0 for the 2009 season. Next up, the Blacksox. They come to Corcaigh Park for an 11am showdown against the league leading 'Canes. Should be a good one.

Steve DeVito

Dublin Hurricanes 9 Blacksox 8 - June 13
Corcaigh Park

The Dublin Hurricanes continued their winning ways for the 2009 season on Saturday against the Blacksox, however not without a large helping of drama. The 'Canes needed extra innings to find a way past a Blacksox side desperate to avoid losing their third straight against the home side.

The 'Canes looked like they were going to stroll to victory early on, with a stunning seven run outburst, instead it would take some late game dramatics to keep their unbeaten season going. With the 'Canes up by seven the Blacksox launched a ferocious comeback, with all the aggressiveness of a team fighting for their season. They patched together runs in the third and fourth innings before taking advantage of some sloppy Hurricanes pitching in the fifth to take a stunning 8-7 lead.

Lesser teams may have folded in the face of such a come-back however the 'Canes righted their ship defensively and steadied themselves as the two teams put up blanks going into the sixth. The 'Canes managed to load the bases with two outs and left fielder Mike Johnson was hit by a pitch to force in the game tying run, making it 8-8.

The Blacksox had several rallies of their own, however the 'Canes got out of trouble with some fine infield defensive play. On the day they turned two superb double plays off the bat of the Blacksox slugger in the three hole. One started by shortstop Steve Divito and the other started by third baseman Jeremias Osio. Both were turned perfectly by veteran second baseman Eric 'Vegas' Valkys, with one double play ending a scoring threat in the sixth.

In extra innings the 'Canes mounted their final assault on a potential 6-0 record.

Eric Valkys smashed a hard single to center, and stole second as Andy Martin came up to bat. Martin grounded hard towards second as Valkys took third on the impending throw, however the Blacksox second baseman threw the ball away, letting Valkys score and the allowing the Hurricanes to take a hard earned, dramatic 9-8 win.

Dublin Hurricanes 10 / Blacksox 3 - June 13

The Baby Canes looked to rebound from dropping a fiercely contested double header to the Munster Druids, and get back into the win column when they took on the Black Sox in Corkagh Park. The Canes, fell behind early 2-0, but rallied with runs over the next four innings to take the lead. Some solid pitching by crafty veteran Pete Routolo, kept the Canes in the game. Mike Best can in to pitch the 5th and 6th innings and struck out 5 of the 6 batters he faced. Co-captain Garret Pearse closed out the 7th for a solid 10-3 victory for the baby Canes. Good to see them back in the win column. 

On a sad note, this was the last game for Yuji, one of the Canes Japanese contingent who unfortunately is returning to Japan. Best of Luck Yuji, it was a pleasure to have you on the Canes for the past two years.

Steve DeVito

Rob McGarry

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