Oaks first baseman Devon Spurling holds a Post 61 runner close during the first game of a doubleheader at Renfree Field Thursday, May 30.
Post 61 5, Fair Oaks 2 (League: 1-1, Overall: 1-1) - May 30 @ Renfree Field - The Oaks suffered their first loss of the year in the opening game of a doubleheader against Post 61 at Renfree Field.
Fair Oaks struck first in the opening inning as shortstop Josh Thompson hit a one out double down the right field line. Post 61's starting pitcher was literally knocked off the mound as the next batter, right fielder Bill Rhinehart, lined a ball back off his hand forcing him from the game and giving the Oaks two base runners.
With first baseman Devin Spurling at the plate, Rhinehart stole second. Spurling then grounded to second sending Thompson home to make it a 1-0 game.
A leadoff double put Post 61 back in the game as the runner eventually came around to score in the bottom of the inning to tie the contest at 1-1.
Post 61 got to Oaks' starter A.J. Vidlund in the fourth, however, as four more runs came home. Two walks and two hits did the damage as Post 61 built a 5-1 lead.
The Oaks couldn't get anything going offensively in the fifth, but a pitching change in the bottom of the inning bolstered Post 383's efforts defensively as Charles Smith took the mount and put Post 61 down in order on a pop to third and two strikeouts.
After making some noise in the sixth, the Oaks rallied in the seventh, but only managed one run out of a bases loaded situation.
Third baseman Steve Snider started things off with a single to center. With one out, Thompson got a hit to right, and then with two outs, Spurling loaded the bases with a hit to left. The Oaks' run came as a walk to left fielder Mickey Weisser forced in Snider to make it 5-2. Smith's pop to first ended the game, however, as the Oaks suffered their first loss of the year.
TEAM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
FAIR OAKS
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
8
4
POST 61
1
0
0
4
0
0
0
5
6
0
Fair Oaks: Pitching - Vidlund, Smith (5) and Matlack. Top Hitters - Thompson 2x4, 2B. Post 61: Pitching - Lehe, Richter (1) and Zoellin. Top Hitters - Carolan 2x4, 2B; Hocking 2B, 2 RBI.
