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Game #1: SLO Blues 4, Maxim Yankees 3
The Maxim Yankees regular season started with a
devastating defeat at the hands of the San Luis Obispo Blues. Despite
leading 3-2 headed into the bottom of the ninth, the Blues scored two runs
off (recently drafted) Jose Amaya who had been stellar up to that point in
the game. The loss pushes the Maxim Yankees record to 0-1.
The Yankees jumped out to a first inning lead as a
Jordan Bergstrom ground ball plated Anthony Contreras, who had led off the
game with a single up the middle and had been moved to third following a
walk to Luke Neel and a fielders choice by Dave Tokheim. Scott Niheu then
followed with a booming double in the gap, scoring Nate Corrick who had
come in to pinch run for Tokheim (pulled hamstring).
However, the Yankees offense was held at bay
basically for the rest of the game (aside from the sixth inning when they
managed to push across a run via an RBI groundout by Joe Perry).
San Luis Obispo’s bats were very quiet for the first
four innings as Corey Cabral only allowed two hits and one run (unearned)
while recording three strikeouts. In relief of Cabral, Jose Amaya allowed
three earned runs on six hits and five walks in four-plus innings of
work. He still had a chance at finishing the game headed into the ninth,
but after a walk and three consecutive singles the Blues were able to
complete the comeback and leave the dumbfounded Maxim Yankees players on
the field.
Game #2: Maxim 3, SLO Blues 2 (7 innings)
The Maxim Yankees bounced back from the previous
day’s devastating defeat to win a nail-biter 3-2. Tom Myers earned the
win for the Yankees after tossing three innings of shutout baseball, while
Geoff Samuels earned the save by pitching a perfect ninth inning.
The Yankees were led offensively by the bottom of the
order as Pete Shaheen and Erik Hanson accounted for four hits and all
three of Maxim's runs.
The Yankees took the lead 2-0 in the third inning on
four singles by Shaheen, Hanson, Anthony Contreras, and Brandon Macchi.
The lead was extended in the fifth as the bottom of the order proved to be
potent again. Shaheen led the inning off with a single, and was followed
by a single from Hansen as well. Contreras laid down a perfect sacrifice
bunt, and the subsequent sacrifice fly-ball off the bat of Nate Corrick
pushed the score to 3-1.
The Yankee relief core held off the Blues despite a
troublesome sixth inning in which the tying run reached third base with no
outs, but Erik Barbic punched out the 4th and 5th
hitters in the Blues lineup, and after issuing a two-out walk, caught a
pop-up to end the inning.
The win improves the Yankees record to 1-1.
Game #3: SLO Blues 10, Maxim 0
The Maxim Yankees were shut out in the second game of
the day 10-0. Despite Jack Gifford and Dave Ericson combining to go 4 for
5 the Yankees could not get anything going offensively. Vince Boyanich
suffered the loss for the Yankees as he allowed four earned runs in six
innings of work. Andy Cook pitched the final two frames allowing 1 earned
run on six hits.
The loss drops the Maxim Yankees overall record to
1-2.
Showing off his ability to change his arm angle, Maxim pitcher Andy Cook
displays incredible athleticism while flinging the ball towards the plate.
Game #4: SLO Blues 6, Maxim 4
A four run rally in the top of the seventh inning was
not enough as the San Luis Obispo Blues took the final game of this
four-game set 6-4. The Yankees were limited to four hits on the day while
they struck out a season-high ten times. Amador Solis took the loss for
the Yankees after allowing five runs over five frames, while Eric Barbic
was solid in three innings of relief, allowing only one run on three
hits. The Yankees were led offensively by Anthony Contreras, Brandon
Macchi, Joe Perry, and Pete Shaheen whom each had one hit respectively
with Shaheen picking up a pair of RBI's.
The loss pushes the Maxim Yankees season record to
1-3.
Game #5: Maxim2, Solano Thunderbirds 0 (7 innings)
On a burning hot day in Vacaville, the Maxim Yankees
picked up their second win of the season on a combined shutout from Corey
Cabral, Gary Daley, and Anthony Rea over the Solano Thunderbirds. Cabral
picked up the win after throwing three innings in which he recorded an
astounding three double plays. Rea earned his first save of the season
tossing a scoreless ninth while recording a strikeout. Gary Daley made
his Maxim debut a memorable one by effectively mixing speeds and throwing
strikes as he shut down the Thunderbirds for three innings while only
allowing one hit and striking out four.
Offensively, seven of the nine starters recorded at
least one hit while Nate Corrick led the way going 2 for 3 with a double
and a run scored. Archie Gilbert also added an RBI double and a run
scored. Both runs for the Yankees were scored in the third inning as
Corrick led of the inning with a double, and then scored on the next pitch
as Gilbert's double bounced up against the left field fence. Gilbert then
stole third and subsequently scored on a one-out RBI groundout by Amador
Solis.
The win improves the Yankees record to 2-3.
Notes: Jack Gifford extended his hitting
streak to three games with a single in the second inning.
SJSU's Corey Cabral deals once again.
Game #6: Solano Thunderbirds 1, Maxim 0 (8
innings)
The offensive struggles continued for the Maxim
Yankees as they squandered a stellar pitching staff performance by Vince
Boyanich, Erik Barbic, Pat Frost, and Brad Kilby. The foursome combined
to only allow one run in 8 1/3 innings on six hits while striking out 11.
However, the Yankees could manage only five hits themselves and were
shutout for the second time in the last four games.
The Yankees were led offensively by Scott Niheu and
Jordan Bergstrom. Niheu was 2 for 4 on the day while Bergstrom was 1 for
2 with a double and two walks.
The Yankees came close to taking the lead in the top
of the 8th as Niheu singled with two outs to start a rally. Bergstrom
then followed with a double in the gap, but Niheu was thrown out at home
plate as he tried to score on the play.
In the bottom of the 8th, a leadoff double by the
Thunderbirds was quickly capitalized on via a sacrifice bunt and a single
that left the Yankees on the field.
The loss drops the Yankees overall record to 2-4.
Game #7: Santa Barbara Foresters 2, Maxim 1
The Maxim Yankees suffered yet another heartbreaking
defeat... this time at the hands of the Santa Barbara Foresters. Despite
seven hits, three walks, and a hit batsman, the Maxim Yankees could manage
only one run. Although strong pitching by Corey Cabral and Anthony Rea
kept the game tied at one through seven full innings, the Foresters pushed
across a run in the bottom of the 8th that proved to be the game winner.
Rea took the loss for the Yankees as his record falls to 0-1 despite not
allowing an earned run in four full innings of work.
Offensively for the Yankees seven different starters
recorded a hit. However, the Yankees did not have any extra-base hits,
and were unable to put a rally together throughout the game. Perhaps the
best scoring opportunity of the game (aside from the first inning)
occurred in the top of the ninth when consecutive one-out singles by Erik
Hanson and Eric Newton put runners at the corners. Unfortunately, the
Yankees execution was very poor as Cameron Matthews struck out and Ray
Stokes grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game.
The loss drops the Yankees to 2-5 on the season.
Note: Eric Newton makes a game saving, over the
shoulder catch with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Game #8: Santa Barbara Foresters 7, Maxim 0 (7
innings)
Pat Frost, of Missouri Valley College makes a
start for the Yankees before heading off to Independent League.
The Santa Barbara Foresters scored four runs in the
first inning off of Yankee starter Pat Frost, and their pitching limited
the Maxim Yankees to no runs on only three hits. Fueled by two 2-run
homers in the game the Foresters scored 7 runs despite managing 4 hits in
the game.
In the bottom of the first, the Foresters promptly
took advantage of consecutive walks to start the game as a booming drive
to the wall in centerfield by catcher Aaron Bates plated both runners with
one out. On the next pitch, outfielder Brad Wilkerson deposited the
belt-high fastball over the left-center fence pushing the score to 4-0.
Frost then settled down to retire the next two batters he faced... but the
damage was already done.
Gary Daley came on in the second inning in relief of
Frost, retiring the side in order in both the second and third innings
while recording 2 strikeouts. However, a walk to start the fourth was
followed by another first-pitch home run, pushing the score to 6-0. The
Foresters added another run in the inning, finishing up the scoring for
the game at 7-0. Tom Myers threw the final two innings of the contest
without allowing a run despite walking three Forester hitters.
Offensively for the Yankees, aside from a first
inning double from Jordan Bergstrom, the bats fell silent until the fifth
inning. In the fifth, pinch hitter Mike Hartman received a walk, followed
by base hits from Erik Hanson and Ray Stokes (all with two outs)...
unfortunately a deep fly-ball off the bat of Brandon Macchi was caught by
the right fielder ending the rally.
For the game (7 innings) the Yankees only had 5 base
runners, and struck out 7 times.
The loss drops the Yankees season record to 2-6.
Game #9: Santa Barbara Foresters 4, Maxim 3
In an attempt to avoid a series sweep, the Maxim
Yankees lost by one run for the third time in four games, and were left on
the field for the third time this season. Despite a strong pitching
performance from Vince Boyanich in which he threw 8 2/3 innings the
Yankees could once again not get a clutch hit when they needed it.
Boyanich was able to overcome a season-high five
errors by the Maxim Yankee defense to only allow three runs (one earned)
through eight complete innnings. However, in the ninth a leadoff single
followed by a groundout and a strikeout put a runner on second with
two-outs... chasing Boyanich from the game. Pick-off specialist Geoff
Samuels came on in relief, but was called for a balk on a 1-0 count, and
eventually gave up the game winning hit on a 3-1 pitch.
On the game, Boyanich struck out 5 while allowing 7
hits and no walks.
Offensively, the Maxim Yankees had a near-breakout
game. The Yankees had 14 base runners, and had many threatening innings,
but left four runners in scoring position and could not capitalize on
consistent wildness of the Forester pitching staff. The middle of the
order led the way for the Yankees as Jordan Bergstrom, Amador Solis, Joe
Perry and Pete Shaheen combined to go 2 for 5 with 5 walks and 2 hit by
pitches. Shaheen recorded both hits as he came on to replace Bergstrom in
the fifth inning.
The Yankees put together a rally in the 4th inning as
a pitch hit Bergstrom and Perry and Solis drew back-to-back walks. With
the bases loaded and no outs, Jack Gifford took the first pitch he saw and
laced it into left field for an RBI single. Erik Hanson then followed
with a deep fly-ball to the centerfield wall which resulted in a sacrifice
fly knotting the score at 2 apiece. However a smash up the middle by Eric
Newton resulted in a beautifully turned 1-6-4-3 double play as the Yankee
rally was stopped.
The Yankee bats remained hot in the top of the fifth
as Mike Hartman led off the inning with a single up the middle. After a
strikeout, Brandon Macchi hit a line drive into right-center for a single,
and Pete Shaheen followed with a single down the right field line plating
Hartman. However, with a big rally potentially brewing with the heart of
the order coming up, Shaheen was picked off of first base and Joe Perry
struck out to end the inning. The Yankees never really threatened to
score the rest of the game.
Once again, the Yankees did not come up with a big hit at a critical time
as they suffered their fourth consecutive loss. The loss drops the
Yankees record to 2-7.
Game #10: Maxim Yankees 7, Oakland Expos 2
(“BEST in the WEST”)
Cal-Poly SLO's Gary Daley delivers a pitch during the 2004 Maxim
Yankee season.
In the first game of the second annual “Best in the
West” tournament, the Maxim Yankees jumped out to an early lead and never
looked back. The Yankees scored single runs in the second, third, fourth,
and fifth innings providing a very comfortable lead for starting pitcher
Gary Daley. On the game Daley pitched six complete innings, striking out
eight Expos hitters while only allowing five hits and one earned run
garnering his first win of the season. Andy Cook came on to pitch the
final three frames in which he did not allow a run, picking up his first
save of the season.
Offensively for the Yankees, seven different Yankees
recorded hits on the day with Archie Gilbert, Anthony Contreras, Amador
Solis, and Nate Corrick each collecting a pair. The attack was balanced
throughout the lineup as the Yankees put together their strongest
offensive output of the season.
The Yankees appear to finally be at full strength for
the first time this season as all of their players were in attendance and
appeared to be ready to play.
The win pushes the Yankee season record to 3-7.
Game #11: Fontanetti’s 5, Maxim 2
(“BEST in the WEST”)
The Yankees bullpen squandered a 2-0 lead headed into
the seventh inning as Fontanetti’s scored five runs over the final three
frames. Brad Kilby took the loss for the Yankees, allowing three earned
runs in 2 1/3 innings of work out of the pen.
Both the Yankees and Fontanetti’s bats were held very
quiet throughout the first 5 ½ innings as Yankee starter Pat Frost battled
a high pitch count while pitching six scoreless innings. For five innings
Fontanetti’s starter was up to the challenge until a two out walk to
Archie Gilbert and a subsequent stolen base led to a booming home run by
Brandon Macchi deep over the right field fence giving the Yankees a 2-0
lead.
However, the celebration that ensued in the Yankee
dugout may have been a bit pre-mature, as Fontanetti’s scored two runs in
the top of the seventh off of the Yankee bullpen. With two outs and a
runner on second, Fontanetti’s leadoff hitter singled off of Erik Barbic
into left scoring the runner from second and allowing the batter/runner to
advance to second as the throw by Cameron Matthews sailed wide of the
plate. Barbic then hit the next batter and was lifted in favor of the
left-handed Brad Kilby. Unfortunately the switch did not pay off as the
first hitter Kilby faced knocked a single into left tying the ballgame at
2.
After the Yankees went quietly in the bottom half of
the inning, Kilby was once again on the ropes in the top of the 8th
as a walk sandwiched between two singles scored the go-ahead run and left
two runners on base with only one out. Kilby did strike out the
ninth-place hitter, but a hit by pitch and a walk by the top two spots in
the order forced in another run giving Fontanetti’s a 4-2 lead.
Once again the Yankee bats were silent in the bottom
half of the inning, and another run by Fontanetti’s in the top of the
ninth made a comeback nearly impossible.
The loss forces the Yankees into a must win game this
evening against the Portland Aloha Knights in order to stay alive in the
“Best in the West” tournament.
Game #12: Maxim 9, Aloha Knights 3
(“BEST in the WEST”)
Having lost to Fontanetti’s, the Yankees were put in
a must-win situation. Thus instead of saving staff ace Corey Cabral for
the championship round, general manager/first baseman Jack Gifford made
the executive decision to have Cabral pitch against the Knights (who were
2-0 in the tournament). Although Cabral was not as sharp as usual in the
early going (giving up three runs through the first two innings), he
eventually settled down and threw eight solid innings while only allowing
those three runs.
In aide of Cabral the Yankee offense must have felt
the sense of urgency in the air as they exploded for nine runs on 11 hits
including a two run double by Brandon Macchi and a two run triple by Joe
Perry in a five-run fourth inning.
After the offensive outburst in the fourth inning the
Aloha Knights could not muster anything with the bats, and despite the
fact that the Yankees did not score again in the game until the ninth
inning, they were able to cruise into the championship round with a
six-run victory. Thomas Van Buskirk pitched the final inning for the
Yankees in a scoreless season debut outing.
Offensively for the Yankees, Macchi went 3 for 5,
while Mike Hartman and Anthony Contreras each went 2 for 4 for the game.
The victory gives the Maxim Yankees the number one
seed from the Nor-Cal division, and they will face the Santa Barbara
Foresters in the Semi-finals.
The win pushes the Yankee season record to 4-8.
Game #13: Maxim 5, Santa Barbara Foresters 4
(“BEST in the WEST” Semi-Finals)
Santa Clara University All-American Anthony Rea
Facing arch-nemesis and defending NBC national
champion Santa Barbara for the fourth time in less than two weeks, the
Yankees gave the ball to Anthony Rea (the All-American closer from Santa
Clara University). Despite the fact that Rea had not started a game since
last summer, the Yankees hoped to get five or six good innings, and turn
the ball over to the pen. As it turned out, they got a lot more than they
hoped for as Rea pitched a complete game victory, nearly shutting out the
Foresters as he carried a shutout into the bottom of the ninth inning.
However, in the ninth things got a bit hairy, as consecutive errors to
start the inning sparked a rally by the Foresters that brought the tying
run into scoring position with two outs… but a popup to second base ended
the game. On the game, Rea struck out 10 batters while allowing no earned
runs on 10 hits and two walks.
Offensively, the Yankees struggled to get much going
against the Foresters (aside from a single run scored in the third after a
botched pick-off play) until the top of the seventh. In the seventh,
after two quick outs, Mike Hartman started the rally with a single up the
middle. Erik Hanson followed with a single to right, and then Anthony
Contreras followed with an RBI single to center. A walk to Ray Stokes
then loaded up the bases setting the stage for DIII All-American Archie
Gilbert. Gilbert did not disappoint as he smoked a 1-1 pitch off of the
left-field fence for a bases clearing double giving the Yankees a 5-0
lead… which proved to be just enough for the Yankees to claim their first
victory over Santa Barbara in two years.
The victory puts the Maxim Yankees in the title game
of the “Best in the West” tournament as they attempt to repeat as
champions for the second consecutive year.
The win pushes the Yankee season record to 5-8.
Game #14: Maxim 5, San Luis Obispo Blues 1
(“BEST in the WEST” Championship Game)
Maxim's Big Game Pitcher Vince Boyanich pitching
at Stanford's Sunken Diamond
In the biggest game of the season, the Yankees had
the utmost confidence in veteran right-hander Vince Boyanich… and he
proved that this confidence was justified. Boyanich was masterful over
eight innings in which he allowed only 1 run while striking out seven and
walking only two hitters. He did not allow a runner to reach third base
until the seventh inning, and for an outside observer it appeared that the
SLO Blues had no chance.
In aide of Boyanich, Brandon Macchi once again got
the ball rolling with a triple in the first inning, and was plated with an
RBI groundout by Jordan Bergstrom. In the third, a leadoff single by
Anthony Contreras followed by a steal of second and a passed ball, led to
a sacrifice fly from Archie Gilbert, giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead.
The big inning that basically put the game out of
reach came in the fifth inning when Contreras continued his hot hitting
with a single, followed by Stokes being hit by a pitch. Gilbert came up
huge once again as he tripled deep into the outfield scoring both
runners. Macchi then sent a 3-1 fastball into the outfield for a sac-fly
ending the Yankee scoring for the day at 5 runs.
Gary Daley came on for the Yankees in the ninth
inning and struck out two of the three hitters he faced, as his final
strike led to an elated celebration by the Yankees as they became the
first repeat-champions in “BEST in the WEST” history.
On the tournament, the Yankees outscored their
opponents 28-15, had a team ERA of 2.00, and finally showed that they are
one of the elite teams on the west coast.
The win pushes the Yankee season record to 6-8.
Games #15-17: @ Yuba Sutter Gold Sox
The Maxim Yankees took two out of three games against
the Gold Sox over the Fourth of July weekend. Despite an intimidating
crowd of Marysville faithful, the Yankees dealt the Gold Sox their first
consecutive home losses to a non-conference opponent ever on Friday and
Saturday night. However, on the 4th luck seemed to favor the
Gold Sox as they scored a run in the bottom of the 9th inning,
leaving the Yankees stuck on the field for an un-heard of fourth time this
season.
For more details… read articles from the Gold Sox
website.
Games # 18-23: NBC Tournament in Santa Barbara
For the second time in two years, the Maxim Yankees
immediately fell into the loser’s bracket of the Santa Barbara NBC World
Series Qualifier by losing their first game. This year, the loss came at
the hands of the San Francisco Seals. Despite leading for a majority of
the game, the Yankees surrendered two runs in the bottom of the seventh to
tie the score at two apiece, and subsequently gave up the game winning
home run in the bottom of the eighth, as the Yankees went on to lose 3-2.
Corey Cabral pitched seven innings strong, while Tom Myers took the loss
allowing a run in his lone inning of work. The offense seemed to be a bit
rusty after a long day of travel as the Yankees were pushed to the brink
of elimination.
However, with their backs up against the wall, the
Yankees repeated their 2003 performance by winning three consecutive games
to reach the loser’s bracket final and set the stage for a re-match with
the SF Seals.
The Yankees ten-run-ruled the South Coast Saints,
beating them 11-0 backed by three home runs (two from Nic Crosta and one
from Brandon Macchi) as well as a combined seven inning shutout from Gary
Daley (2 innings) and Andy Cook (5 innings).
Brandon Macchi shows off his home run stance.
In the afternoon game, the Yankees once again
dominated their opponent, beating the Oxnard Dawgs 9-1 led by 8 runs in
the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings combined, and seven solid innings
out of starting pitcher Anthony Rea.
The next day, solid pitching was once again the
recipe for Yankee success as Vince Boyanich twirled seven innings of
one-run ball, leaving the game with the Yankees up 3-1. Tom Myers came on
in relief to put the nail in the coffin without allowing a run in two
adventuresome innings of work, and the Yankees were set to face the Seals
again.
This time, the Yankees would not be denied as a
strong pitching performance by Erik Barbic (3 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings
of work) was backed by a six-run output by the offense, propelling the
Yankees to a 6-4 victory.
 University of
the Pacific's, Erik Barbic, with the the help of a stellar defense pitched
Maxim into the Championship game of the NBC qualifying tournament.
By beating the Seals, the Yankees ensured themselves
of their first ever trip to the NBC World Series annually held in Wichita
Kansas, considered the most elite amateur World Series event.
However, the Yankees were still two victories away
from winning the tournament. In order to do so, they would have to defeat
its arch-nemesis, the Santa Barbara Foresters, twice. Despite the fact
that the Yankees were 1-3 on the season versus the Foresters, there was
reason for confidence as in their most recent meeting (in the semi-finals
of the Best in the West tournament) the Yankees defeated the Foresters
5-4.
Unfortunately, the Foresters scored two runs in the
first, and single runs in the second, sixth and eighth, taking the
tournament crown by a score of 5-2. Despite ten hits, three walks and a
hit batsman by the Yankees offense, every rally seemed to fizzle as
playing six games in four days seemed to catch up with the Yankees.
Multiple base-running blunders were a primary cause for the failure, but
the lack of timely hitting also was to blame.
For the tournament, three Yankees garnered all
tournament honors: Brandon Macchi, Nic Crosta, and Joe Perry. The offense
as a whole displayed much more life than it did earlier on this season,
and the Yankees should gain much confidence headed into the last stretch
of the season as they have won 10 of their last 14 games.
To date the Yankees have outscored their opposition
91-70, have a team ERA of 2.10, and are led by six hitters batting .296 or
better (Mark Bautista, Mike Hartman, Anthony Contreras, Brandon Macchi,
Pete Shaheen, and Jack Gifford).
Game # 24: Maxim 6 Fontanetti’s 4
In the first game of a Saturday double-header,
Fontanetti’s jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning
courtesy of a 3-run homer off the bat of Boom Nelson off of starting
pitcher Andy Cook. However, the Yankees struck back with 4 runs of their
own in the bottom of the inning as a two out walk to Jordan Bergstrom was
followed by four consecutive hits (from Dave Tokheim, Scott Niheu, Nate
Corrick, and Mark Bautista).
Fontanetti’s struck back with a run in the top of the
second to tie the score, but solo Maxim runs in the third and sixth
innings proved to be enough for the victory as the Yankees received a
solid relief effort from Thomas Van Buskirk and Scott Niheu as they
combined to pitch six scoreless innings while allowing only three hits.
Van Buskirk picked up his first win of the season, while Niheu earned the
save in his season debut on “the hill.”
Offensively for the Yankees, Tokheim went 2 for 4, as
did Niheu, while Mark Bautista went 2 for 3 with two RBI’s and a stolen
base.
The win pushes the Maxim Yankees season record to
13-11.
Game # 25: Maxim 11 Fontanetti’s 7
In the second game of the day, Maxim used a different
formula for success than they have been recently accustomed to using, by
slugging out 11 runs in a display of offensive power. Fortunately this
allowed the Yankees to overcome unusually poor pitching performances.
Starting pitcher Corey Cabral gave up a run in the first, and two in the
second, but was able to settle down and keep Fontanetti’s off the
scoreboard for the duration of his five-inning outing, picking up a win in
the process. Anthony Rea came on in relief of Cabral, and despite
retiring the side in order in the sixth, gave up 4 runs in the seventh
courtesy of a walk and four consecutive hits, all with one out. This
disastrous inning momentarily brought the score to 8-7, although Rea
eventually settled down over the final two frames, picking up a save in
the process by virtue of recording the final nine outs in the ballgame
without relinquishing the lead.
For the Yankees, the story of the game was hitting.
Eight of the nine starters recorded at least one hit, as the Yankees
tallied 11 runs on 16 hits. Pete Shaheen went 3 for 5 with a double and
two runs scored, while Cameron Matthews went 3 for 4 with a double, a run
scored, and a season high 3 RBI’s. Anthony Contreras continued his hot
hitting, going 2 for 5, while Scott Niheu also recorded two hits, going 2
for 3 with 2 RBI’s.
The win pushes the Yankees overall record to 14-11 as
they have won 12 of their last 16 games.
Game # 26: Maxim 8 Salinas Packers 7
Dave Ericson, Maxim's all time leading hitter, shows off the Maxim
team motto by doing anything necessary to help the team win. Against
Salinas he was a hero not by bunting, but by swing his big stick.
The Maxim Yankees shook off yet another slow start as
they came from behind for the third consecutive game to attain victory.
This time, it was not until the bottom of the ninth that the comeback was
completed, as a two-out, two RBI double off the bat of Dave Ericson plated
Brandon Macchi and Joe Perry with the tying and winning runs.
Ericson was the star of the game for the Yankees as
he knocked in 5 runs over the final two innings of the game on a pair of
doubles, raising his career RBI total to 156 (second all-time in Maxim
Yankee history). On the day Ericson was 2 for 3 with two doubles, five
RBI’s and one run scored. While Macchi was 3 for 4 with two runs scored.
Starting pitcher Gary Daley got roughed up in the
first inning for 5 runs (4 earned) as he allowed four hits and two walks
in the inning. However, he settled down after that allowing only two runs
over the next four + innings.
Finding themselves with their collective backs
against the wall, down 7-1 after five and a half innings of play, the
Yankees rallied behind the strong pitching of reliever Erik Barbic, and
the hitting of Ericson. Maxim pushed across a run in the bottom of the
sixth as a two-out single from Mark Bautista plated Joe Perry (who had
been hit by a pitch to start the inning). Both teams went quietly in the
seventh, and the Packers was put down without a threat in the top of the
eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, the Yankees bats awoke from their 7
inning slumber. Brandon Macchi led off the inning with a walk, followed
by a single off the bat of Joe Perry, and a walk to Pete Shaheen loading
up the bases for Ericson. Ericson sent a 0-1 fastball deep into the
right-centerfield gap clearing the bases, bringing the Yankees within two
runs of tying the game. The next hitter (Anthony Rea) fought off a 2-2
pitch advancing Ericson to third while making the first out of the inning,
and was followed by a single from Scott Niheu, bringing the Yankees within
1 run of a tie ballgame.
Barbic set the Packers down in order in the top of
the ninth concluding four full innings of work in which he did not allow a
hit or a walk, and sat back on the bench to watch the comeback happen.
With one out, Brandon Macchi singled, bringing up Joe
Perry. With a full-count, Perry hit what appeared to be a game ending
double-play ball to the shortstop, who inextricably had the ball go off
his glove into the outfield for an error. Pete Shaheen then struck out
bringing Ericson to the plate with two-outs and men on first and second.
Not wasting any time at all, Ericson swung at the first-pitch fastball and
smoked a shot down the leftfield line that rolled up against the fence.
The relay was too late to get Perry as he scored from first with the
winning run, and the Yankee players rejoiced with their first undefeated
weekend of the season.
Barbic picked up the win, improving his record to 2-0
on the season, as the Yankees overall record reached a season-high four
games over .500, (15-11).
The Yankees are 13-4 in their last 17 games.
Game # 27: Maxim 4 Humboldt Crabs 1
SJSU's All-WAC 1st Team Performer Brad Kilby
The Maxim Yankees played perhaps their most
fundamentally sound game of the season as strong pitching and defense once
again proved to be a wining combination for the Yanks, handing the Crabs
their first loss on a Friday night at home this year.
Although the Yankees put eight men on base in the
first three innings, they were only able to push across a single run (in
the third), as Jordan Bergstrom drove home Anthony Contreras with a
single. However, the Yankees broke open the 1-1 game with a three run
fifth inning as one out walks to Mark Bautista and Cameron Matthews were
followed by a booming triple off the bat of Ray Stokes that tipped off the
centerfielder’s glove as he raced toward the wall in deep left-center, and
a subsequent RBI groundout by Nate Corrick.
Those four runs proved to be enough as Brad Kilby
(1-2) was extremely sharp in his six innings of work, while Erik Barbic
shut out the Crabs for the final three innings, picking up his first save
of the season. For the game, Kilby allowed only two hits while striking
out six and allowing only one run, while Barbic allowed no runs on two
hits during his three frames. The Yankees did not commit an error
throughout the game, and limited the Crabs (who entered the game averaging
well over six runs per game) to their lowest run production of the
season.
Offensively for the Yankees, Contreras went 2 for 4
with a run scored, while Stokes went 1 for 3 with two RBI’s.
The win pushes the Yankees season record to 16-11.
Game # 28: Maxim 6 Humboldt Crabs 4 (7 innings)
In the second game of the four-game set, the Yankees
jumped out to a 6-1 lead after four and a half innings only to withstand a
frantic Crab comeback that fell short with the bases loaded in the bottom
of the seventh.
With a 6-3 lead headed into the bottom of the
seventh, the Yankees called upon veteran reliever Andy Cook to secure the
game. Unfortunately, despite retiring two of the first three hitters he
faced, Cook walked three consecutive hitters forcing in a run and putting
the tying run in scoring position. At this point, the Yankees made the
call to the bullpen for Thomas Van Buskirk who coaxed an 0-1 come-backer
up the box that Van Buskirk easily fielded and flipped to first base,
ending the game. The save was the first of Van Buskirk’s Maxim career.
Corey Cabral (4-1) picked up the win throwing six
complete innings in which he allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits
and two walks, while striking out three.
The Yankees got their bats going early Dave Ericson
sent an 0-2 fastball deep into centerfield for a double with one out in
the second inning. Pete Shaheen then forced a full-count walk, and Nate
Corrick followed with a two RBI line-drive double into the
left-centerfield gap. Corrick would eventually score on an error by the
Crab first baseman giving the Yanks a 3-0 lead after one and a half
innings. The lead was extended in the top of the fourth as Corrick walked
with one out and was pushed to third on a single by Anthony Contreras.
Both were plated by a double from Brandon Macchi. The Yankees finished
their scoring the following inning as Scott Niheu smacked his first homer
of the season onto the 101 freeway over the left-field fence.
On the game, Contreras went 2 for 4 with a stolen
base and a run scored, Niheu was 2 for 4, and Corrick was 1 for 2 with two
runs scored.
The win pushes the Yankees season record to 17-11, as
they have won 15 of their last 19 games.
Maxim's Humboldt Hero Scott Niheu
Game # 29: Humboldt Crabs 3 Maxim 2 (9 innings)
The Maxim Yankees could not hold a 2-0 lead as the
Crabs tied the score at 2 with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning
(of the seven inning game), and scored in the bottom of the ninth to win
3-2. The loss was the fifth of the season in which the Yankees were “left
on the field,” meaning the home team has scored the winning run in the
bottom of the last inning while the Yankees were on defense.
The Yankees once again scored first as Ray Stokes led
off the game with a single, stole second, and reached third on a wild
pitch in time to be plated by an RBI groundout off the bat of Nic Crosta.
The Yankees scored again in the top of the 4th as Crosta walked
and stole second before scoring on an RBI single from Dave Ericson.
However, after the 4th the Yankees could not get much going at
all as they managed only one hit over the final five innings.
Vince Boyanich threw the first inning for the Yanks,
and was replaced by Thomas Van Buskirk in the middle of the second. Van
Buskirk went 3 1/3 scoreless innings capped by a marvelous third to first
pickoff move in which he paralyzed the runner on first base as he was
tagged out by first baseman Rashawn Owens. Van Buskirk then gave way to
Nic Crosta who made his Maxim pitching debut. Crosta was able to get the
final two outs of the 5th without trouble, but quickly ran into
problems in the 6th. With one run on two hits already in the
books, a costly two-out error was committed by Ericson as he failed to
make a good throw to first base allowing the batter/runner to reach
second, and the runner from second to score knotting the game at two
apiece.
At this point Crosta settled down, making short work
of the Crabs until the 9th inning. However, the Crabs took
advantage of a leadoff walk, a sacrifice bunt, another walk, and an
infield single to load the bases with one out. With the infield drawn in,
the Crabs leadoff hitter singled up the middle on a 2-1 fastball, and the
ballgame was over.
The loss drops the Yankees season record to 17-12
overall.
Game # 30: Maxim 6 Crabs 4
The Maxim Yankees continued their dominance in the
North-West handing the Humboldt Crabs their only series defeat of the
season winning the final game of the four-game set. Despite a sub-par
performance by starting pitcher Anthony Rea (who allowed 3 runs in five
innings of work), the Yankee bats propelled a come-from-behind victory.
Trailing 3-1 after five innings, the Yankees scored four runs in the top
of the sixth inning, which gave Eric Barbic and Gary Daley enough
insurance to fend off the Crabs as the Yankees won 6-4.
The Yankees first scored in the fourth inning as
Brandon Macchi singled to lead off the inning and was moved to second on a
groundout by Nic Crosta. Jordan Bergstrom then followed with an RBI
double in the left-center gap. Scott Niheu then followed with a single up
the middle that could have scored Bergstrom, but he slipped and fell as he
rounded third and thus had to retreat to third base. Unfortunately Mike
Hartman grounded into an inning ending double play, killing the rally.
Although the Yankees went quietly in the fifth, they
promptly responded to the two-spot put on the scoreboard by the Crabs in
the bottom of the fifth with four runs of their own. Anthony Contreras
and Macchi led off the inning with consecutive walks, while Crosta
followed with a single, loading the bases with none out. Bergstrom hit an
RBI single which ended up scoring two as the ball was bobbled in
leftfield, and Niheu hit a sacrifice fly giving the Yankees a 4-3 lead.
However the Yankees were not done, as Hartman redeemed himself with an RBI
single, completing the scoring in the inning.
In relief of Rea, Erik Barbic retired the side in the
bottom of the sixth without much trouble, but quickly ran into trouble in
the seventh as a single and a double to start the inning put the tying run
in scoring position with no outs. Skillfully, Barbic was able to coax
consecutive groundouts, allowing only one of the runners to score before
giving way to Gary Daley. Daley simply overpowered the first hitter he
faced, ending the seventh inning with the Yankees leading 5-4. The
Yankees got an insurance run in the top of the 8th as Scott
Niheu hit his second home run in as many days, and Daley shut down the
Crabs over the final two frames recording his first save of the season.
On the weekend, the Yankees outscored the Crabs
18-12, stole 12 bases, made only two errors and appear to be ready for
their first ever trip to the NBC World Series in Wichita KS which begins
July 31 and runs through Aug. 14.
The Yankees are now 18-12 on the season, and are 16-5
in their last 21 games.
Game #31: Maxim 9, Springfield Slashers 1
(NBC World Series 2nd Round)
After receiving a first round bye courtesy of their
second place finish at the California Cup NBC qualifying tournament in
Santa Barbara, the Yankees quickly demonstrated why they deserved a berth
in the NBC World Series, routing the Springfield Slashers 9-1. The
Yankees fired on all cylinders both offensively and defensively, and the
game was never in doubt.
The Yankees got their offense going early as Archie
Gilbert stood firm in the batter’s box as the first pitch in the bottom of
the first inning drilled him in his arm. He would later score in the
inning on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Brandon Macchi. However, despite
three base-runners in the inning, the Yankees could muster only 1 run.
The bottom of the 2nd was an explosive
inning for the Maxim Yankees as they scored 5 runs on 2 hits including a
booming shot that bounced over the right field fence, by right fielder
Brandon Macchi. Those RBI’s raised Macchi’s total to three on the day.
Not to be out done, catcher Joe Perry sent the next pitch of the inning
deep into the gap and rumbled and stumbled all the way to 3rd
base for a stand-up triple scoring Yankee teammates Brandon Macchi and
Nate Corrick who had reached base after being hit by a pitch prior to
Macchi’s at bat.
Gary Daley got the win as he carved up the Slasher
batters pitching 6 innings and only giving up 1 run on 4 hits. Mike
Zagurski made his Maxim Yankees debut pitching 2 innings of scoreless ball
while striking out 3. Eric Barbic closed the door on the Slashers mowing
through the 9th inning. The Yankees are scheduled to take on
the El Dorado Broncos in the 3rd round of the NBC World
Series. Yankees record now stands at 19-12.
Game #32: El Dorado Broncos 7, Maxim 4
(NBC World Series 3rd Round)
Coming off an impressive 2nd round win the
Yankees were stopped in their tracks as the El Dorado Broncos gave the
Yankees their first loss of the tournament. The Yankee offense was led by
Jordan Bergstrom who had 2 RBI’s on the day, while Brandon Macchi and Nic
Crosta also had RBI’s of their own. The Yankee offense seemed a bit out
of sync as they scattered 7 hits in the 9-inning contest, yet they still
managed to score a pair of runs in the 4th and 6th
innings respectively. The Yankees took the lead momentarily in the bottom
of the 4th 2-1, and brought the game within reach at 6-4 in the
6th, but that was as close as the Yankees could get as the
offense flailed over the final three innings.
The Yankees received a solid outing from pitcher
Corey Cabral, who completed 5 solid innings giving up 3 runs while
striking out 5 Bronco hitters. However, after giving the ball up for the
top of the 6th, reliever Brad Kilby struggled out of the gate
by allowing 3 runs in the 6th, ensuring Cabral of the hard-luck
loss. Kilby eventually settled down and finished the game, pitching the
last 4 innings while giving up 3 runs while striking out 3, but the damage
had basically already been done.
The Yankees fought hard and tough but came up short
in today’s contest. The will take on the hometown Wichita Twins tomorrow
afternoon at 1:00pm.
The Maxim Yankees record is now 19-13.
Game #33: Maxim 9. Wichita Twins 7
(NBC World Series 4th Round (Loser’s
Bracket))
Jordan Bergstrom goes up high to preserve this
play from Nate Corrick, however during the NBC World Series "Bergie"
helped out the Yankees with his bat, finishing in the top five in the
tournament in batting average.
Early on in the contest, the Yankees seemed to be
feeling the after-effects of Saturday’s loss. Throughout the first 6
innings of Sundays game, the Yankees looked sluggish and tired. However,
the good teams know when to turn up the intensity dial, and that is
exactly what the Yankees did, scoring 3 runs in the 7th and 5
in the 8th to transform a 4-1 deficit into 9-7 victory.
The Yankee offense was led by Jordan Bergstrom who
was a perfect 4 for 4 on the day including a 2 out, 2 run home run that
hit the base of a Budweiser tent deep over the left field fence.
Bergstrom’s shot put the Yankees ahead by 1 in the bottom of the eighth
and was also estimated to have landed well over 430 feet from home plate.
The inning would have been stalled if it weren’t for a 12 pitch at bat in
which Yankees catcher Mark Bautista garnered a walk after fouling off
multiple two-strike offerings from the Twin’s pitcher, giving Bergstrom a
chance to continue his hot hitting in the tournament. After Bergstrom’s
drive, the Yankees went on to score three more runs in the inning, sparked
by Jack Gifford battling off some nasty pitches while earning a walk, and
three consecutive hits; a single from Anthony Contreras, a double from
Mike Hartman, and a double from Archie Gilbert, that rounded off the
scoring for the inning at 5. Despite giving up two runs in the top of the
9th, the Yankees held on to fight another fight, advancing in
the tournament with the 9-7 victory.
Yankee pitcher Tom Meyers earned the win in 2 innings
of relief despite allowing three runs in two innings of work. Mike
Zagurski pitched a solid 5 innings getting the no decision in his first
start as Yankee, and Erik Barbic was once again solid in relief as he kept
the score close with two innings of relief work (6th and 7th
innings) allowing a single run on two hits. The Yankees “survive and
advance,” which is the key in these types of tournaments, and will next
take on the Mat-Su Miners from Alaska Summer Baseball League. .
The Yankees overall record now stands at 20-13 on the
season.
Game #34: Mat-Su Miners 16, Maxim 5
(NBC World Series 5th Round (Loser’s
Bracket))
Maxim's first basemen Jack Gifford, set a NBC
record by playing in the tournament at 63 years of age, also going 1-1
with two walks against the Mat-Su Miners.
On the brink of elimination once again, the Maxim
Yankees knew they had to be on their A-game in order to stay alive in the
tournament. However in this contest their was truly not much the Maxim
Yankees could do, as Mat-Su looked as if they could have beaten the NEW
YORK Yankees. The Miners scored four runs in the first inning and never
looked back. With an array of hits including five doubles and four
triples the Miners hitting assault was no match for the Yankee pitchers.
Starting pitcher Gary Daley operating on short-rest was hit hard, giving
up 9 earned runs over an inning and two thirds, and the game was
eventually called after the fifth inning (via 10-run rule), with the score
being 16 to 5. The loss eliminates the Yankees from the tournament
dashing their hopes of winning the most elite amateur summer-baseball
tournament in the country.
Offensively for the Yankees, Jordan Bergstrom was
once again solid in the defeat as he kept his bat hot going 2 for 3 with
one run and one run batted in. Jack Gifford also had a solid day going 1
for 1 with an RBI single and a walk.
All-told, the Yankees finished the tournament in 12th
place among the 43 teams in the tournament, and distinguished themselves
as one of the fan favorite teams to watch. Jack Gifford set a new NBC
World Series record as the oldest player ever to participate in the event
as he went 1 for 4 with three walks, two runs scored and an RBI on the
tournament while appearing in all 4 of the Yankees games, starting three.
The Yankees head to Reno next weekend to face the
Reno Astros who recently represented the USA in a European pre-Olympic
tournament. The games should be well-contested as last year the Astros
took 2 out of 3 games from the Yankees.
Maxim record 20-14
Game #35: Maxim 6, Reno Astros 3
The Yankees came back strong after their tournament
elimination and took it out in the Astros. The Yankees got a run in the
first when Dave Toheim hit a groundball to second base scoring Pete
Shaheen from third.
The highlight of the night was when the Astros walked
to catcher Mark Bautista in order to face Jack Gifford. Gifford laced a
line drive to left field to extend the Yankee rally. Gifford was 2 for 5
on the night with 2 stolen bases.
Corey Cabral pitched 5 solid innings for the win and
Nic Crosta as well as Joe Perry pitched well over the final 4 innings to
hold down the fort for the Yanks. The Yankees will play a double header
on Saturday to finish off the series and hopefully the Astros as well.
Maxim record stands at 21-14.
Game #36: Maxim 9, Reno Astros 3
Just like the Yankees in New York the Maxim yanks
know when to turn up the heat. The Yankees pounded the Astros 9 to 3 in
the first game of a double header. Mike Hartman showed great patience and
prowess by hitting 2 triples and hitting in 4 Yankee runners, while going
3 for 4 at the plate. Joe Perry was equally steller at the plate hitting
a double and a single in the game.
The Yankee team was solid in all aspects of the game
with the Yankee pitchers holding the powerful Astro Offense to only three
runs in the game.
We will see in game 2 if the Yankees can sweep the
Astros and finish the season on top.
Maxim record at 22-14.
Maxim's stalwart behind the plate, Joe Perry awaits the pitch.
Game #37: Maxim 7, Reno Astros 3
The Yankees used a balance offensive attack today
pounding out 10 hits by 6 different players and scoring 7 runs. The Yanks
had a different swagger about them today as they all knew today’s game
could mean a sweep and a perfect ending to an already wonderful season.
Brad Kilby, Mike Miler, and Andrew Cook baffled Astro
hitters as they held the Astros to only 3 runs. Although not every Yankee
batter got a hit the Yankees were tough outs and hit the ball hard the
entire game. Mike Hartman continued his onslaught going 2 for 4 with 3
runs batted in and 2 doubles. Nate Corrick was perfect on the day going
3 for 3 and also getting hit by the pitch.
The Yankees ended their season with a win just like
usually. My congratulations goes out to all the Maxim Yankees on a
wonderful season and an unforgettable summer.
Maxim Yankees 2004 final record is 23-14. The season
ended with a run of 22 wins and 7 losses. The Yankees won a hot 12 of the
final 15 games to post a great 2nd half of the season! With a
sweet 16 appearance by the Yankees in their first National Baseball
Congress World Series, the Maxim Yankees are now considered one of the top
summer collegiate wood bat baseball teams in the country!
Nate Corrick had a perfect day against the Reno
Astros, going 3-3.
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