Here are Coach Steve's top ten highlights of opening day.
10) Joshua White going 4 for 5 from the plate, and handling 3rd base like Buddy Bell.
9) Watching the parents and coaches.  I forgot how many smiles they had enjoying Pee Wee Baseball.
8) Cole White going 4 for 5 from the plate with 2 home runs, and the kids tackling him on the bench.
7) Ryan Mong going 3 for 4 and before the game asking if we were going for ice cream?
6) Calling my wife from the ball park.  I forgot the all important snacks!
5) Max Hartline, Jacob Griffin, Brock Singer and Seth Gronow with multiple hits, RBI's, and huge smiles running around the bases.
4) Hunter Foley's hustling "Pete Rose" slide into first base and getting up with a white stripe down the center of his entire body.
3) Before taking the field for the first time, Scott Gronow asking if he could go play on the slide at the park (He also had a beautiful swan like dive into third that brought cheers from the crowd).
2) Griffin Laubacher going 4 for 4 and his mother helping out with the score book and the bench.  God bless her!
1) Passing out the snacks and the kids wanting to know who won? Of course, the answer was obvious.we were all winners!

Rock Cats vs Pelicans

The Rock Cats and the Pelicans played a hard fought game. For the 'Cats, Robbie Harbert hit a smash up the middle causing coach Mark to do a "get out of the way" dance! Trever Tesch and Blake Robbins also had solid hits to the outfield. Justin Blyer beat out a ground ball with a slide into first base for an infield hit Jason Goard has come around swinging the bat like a pro connecting solidly several times during his at-bats. . The 'Cats had their bats working. On the defensive side, Robbie Harbert and Trever Tesch switched off at first base and gobbled up everything that came their way. James Mungo made an outstanding play from deep in the hole at shortstop to throw out a speedy Pelican player. Josh Nolte made some smooth plays at the "hot corner." Joey Knopp was all over making plays from the infield and the outfield. Sam Casto hustled from the catchers spot springing from behind the plate. Both Blake Dwyer and Justin Blyer were " golden glovers" from the pitchers mound.  .  The Pelicans played a great game. They showed excellent sportsmanship. Their fans and coaches made the game fun and safe. It should be noted that Rhonda Robbins kept a flawless score book for the Rock Cats and it is greatly appreciated.  Coach Nolte

It's hard to believe that this was only the second game of the season.  The Senators and Ruff Riders played their positions and batted like it was their second to last game.  A few highlights included; Griffin Laubacher's bases clearing double in the third inning, Max Hartline's three hit game with a four bagger in the fourth, Cole White with tremendous play at first base, and Joshua White's crafty base running scoring twice in the game.  Other multiple hit performers were Scott Gronow, Ryan Mong, Seth Gronow, and Brock Singer.  Finally, a big cheer goes to Matt Bledsoe for a 2 for 3 outing, and bringing some awesome snacks at the end of the game!

The Rock Cats had several players with multiple hits. One of the highlights was a triple by Joey Knopp that carried deep to center. Among the players who had multiple hits were Trever Tesch, Blake Robbins, Robby Harbert, James Mungo, Sam Casto and Josh Nolte. Jason Goard recorded a hit early in the game that kept him perfect in his previous ten at-bats. Justin Blyer was inches away from beating out an infield hit by hustling down the first base line. The defensive play of the game for the Rock Cats was recorded by James Mungo at 3rd base. He backhanded a scorching shot down the third base line and made a force out at the bag. All in all it was fun. Rhonda Robbins kept her pencil busy by keeping the score book. Coach Dave pitched a gem. Thanks to the fans for their loyal support. Goooo...Rock Cats!

Suns vs Parrots

Ball fields are open and the fun has begun for the younsters of our community.  Tonight the Suns team took the field with the Parrots for a very exciting, knuckle biting game.  Suns were down by 2 runs at the beginning of their last bats but finished the game with a win over the Parrots - final score 12-11.
The Suns team showed their skills tonight in the field when Amanda McPhillen caught a pop-up and then threw to Madison Gardner for a double play.  Quick thinking Amanda! Catching other fly balls tonight were Mackenzie Begue, Heather Procario and Summer Dahlheimer.  Heather and Madison also teamed up for 2 outs at first--one being assisted by a little bounce off of Mackenzie's foot (OUCH!).  Madison also performed an unassisted out at first base.  Solid "at bats" proved to be the winning ticket tonight for the Suns. Hitting 2 singles each were Julie Roberts, Ashlie Filimonuk, Amanda, Madison, Heather, Mackenzie and Summer.  Other singles were hit by Ashley Ellis, Emily Robinson, Sarah Roshong and Delaney Zwick.  Our heavy hitters  tonight were Mackenzie with a double and Summer with a triple.  Summer also chalked up the winnning RBI of the game giving her the "Player of the Game" award.      Go Suns!

Suns vs Red Devils

A great evening for a ball game as the Suns and the Red Devils battled it out on the ball field, Red Devils winning it by 1 run.  Final score 10-9. The Suns team had some great defensive plays tonight, one being a double play as pitcher Mackenzie Begue caught a pop-up and then tossed it to Madison Gardner who touched the base before the runner could tag up. Mackenzie also chalked up 1 strike out as pitcher and was assisted by Amanda McPhillen for an out at 2nd.  Heather Procario caught a fly ball.  Amanda and Madison teamed up for an out at first.  Summer Dahlheimer, at the pitcher position, chalked up 3 strike outs, caught 1 fly ball and assisted Madison, at first, for 5 outs. Way to be on the ball. Heather hit 3 singles tonight.  Hitting 2 singles was Delaney Zwick, Natasha Sallinger and Madison.  Other singles were hit by Emily Robinson, Julie Roberts, Ashley Ellis, Amanda and Mackenzie.  Summer smacked 2 doubles and Amanda, Delaney Mackenzie and Ashlie Filimonuk each smacked 1 double.  Our heavy hitter of the night was Mackenzie with an awesome homerun hit.  Great hit Mackenzie! Good playing tonight girls even though you didn't win the game.

Great weather tonight as the Suns and the Red Devils faced each other again on the ball field.  This game resulted with a win for the Suns 15-12.  Suns heavy hitter tonight was Amanda McPhillen smacking 2 triples and a single.  Heather Procario also hit a triple.  Ashlie Filimonuk hit a double, giving her 2 RBI's. Sarah Roshong, Summer Dahlheimer and Madison Gardner each hit a double and a single.  Julie Roberts had a great game hitting 3 singles - giving her 3/3.  Mackenzie Begue and Heather had 2 singles each and Delaney Zwick hit a terrific single just when we needed it-bringing in an RBI, our 5th and final one for the inning.  Our defense was kept very busy tonight by the Red Devils hits.  We saw a great catch tonight in the outfield by Delaney.  As short stop, Heather caught 2 stinging line drives and assisted Ashlie, Madison and Mackenzie for outs.  She also acquired a strike out as pitcher.  Fantastic unassisted outs were performed by Ashlie and Mackenzie.  Mackenzie had 2 unassisted outs---but 1 actually was asssisted by Summer's foot!! As pitcher, Mackenzie also struck out 2 players.  After struggling in the pitcher's position and being moved to short stop, Summer redeemed herself by having a great catch. AJ and Madison teamed up for 2 outs tonight, 1 being involved in an awesome double play when AJ caught a pop-up and then delivered the ball to Madison before the tag-up.  Quick thinking girls.  Great job tonight.

Another scorcher of an evening for playing ball as the Suns battled it out with the Diamond Jaxx for the 1st time this year.  Suns team came out on top 12-8 and Tony gets to wear the awesome socks next game.  Can't wait to see how lovely he looks!!  Suns team had a totally awesome night at bats.  Mackenzie Begue went 4/4 with a triple, a double and 2 singles with 2 RBI's.  Delaney Zwick also went 4/4 with all super singles and 2 RBI's.  Amanda McPhillen and Julie Roberts went 3/3-Amanda with 2 doubles, a single and 3 RBI's and Julie with 3 singles and 1 RBI.  Doubles were hit by Heather Procario, Summer Dahlheimer, Emily Robinson and Sarah Roshong.  Madison Gardner, Summer and ER also smacked singles to advance the Suns players around the bases.  When our bats were at rest, the Suns were busy in the field gaining control of the awesome hits by the Diamond Jaxx.  Outfielders Natasha Sallinger and Sarah Roshong as well as Delaney and who is that other outfielder...??...oh yeah, ER did a great job getting the ball into the cut-off player.  Sarah wasso excited to get out into the outfield one inning that she grabbed the wrong glove--poor Ashlie couldn't find her glove anywhere.  Sarah is now known as the "glove-snatcher".  Great catches were made by Ashlie Filimonuk, Heather, Delaney, Madison and of course the line drive zinger, hand stinger catch by Summer that surprised her as much as it did the spectators.  As pitcher, Mackenzie struck out 3 players and assisted Madison with an out at 1st.  Mackenzie also had an unassisted out at 2nd which ended the game!  Madison acquired 2 other outs at 1st assisted by Amanda and Heather.  Smart plays were made when Heather assisted Summer at 2nd for an out, when Summer assisted Ashlie at 3rd for 2 outs and when Amanda assisted Mackenzie at 2nd for 2 outs.  These plays all brought down the lead runners of the Diamond Jaxx keeping them from scoring.  Smart thinking girls. Way to play ball!!