Week ending April 7
Coney Island vs Tampa
1 game short of the getting to the World Series last year - it was a big surprise.  Don't expect anything like that this year, but do expect a fun season as the Cyclones begin a rebuild - and it should be an interesting player management as well.  But still expect to produce runs (not sure we can prevent too many).

Fans are excited even if the prognostications are slim.  Here comes Tampa!

Game 1 - Cole vs Kikuchi
Starting the season against Cole - with Blake Snell in the wings for the next game - oh boy. Yet, the home team scores first when Alex Call knocks a SF in the 2nd.  But the Stingrays get it right back in the 3rd on a Brennan rbi double (1 of his 2 hits in the game). In the bottom half a leadoff walk to Happ results in another Cyclone run when Devers doubles him home. Then Cole buckles down, fans 7, 6 hits total no more runs. However, Kikuchi gives up no more runs scattering 7 hits in 7 innings and fanning 9.  Then Ferguson, Thornton and Peralta close it off for a surprising 2-1 opening day win!!
TAM 1-8-0 LP Cole (0-1)
CIC  2-6-0 WP Kikuchi (1-0) S Peralta (1)

Game 2 - Snell vs. Mahle
Moniak (1) hits a 1 out solo homer for Tampa in the 1st but a Devers rbi double in the bottom half ties it up. Then Verdugo (3 singles in the game) and Moniak drives in runs in the 3rd for a 3-1 Tampa lead. Cyclones cut it to 3-2 in the 6th only to see Tampa regain the 2 run lead when Castellanos drives in a run in the 7th. Bottom of the 8th, Goriano comes in to replace Snell and he has some control issues walking Laureano with the bases loaded for 1 and then power hitter Miguel Rojas slugs a grand slam (1) and the Cyclones flip the score and take a 7-4 lead into the 9th! Pete Alsonso leads off with a solo homer (1) off Thorton so Peralta is called on again and he gets 3 straight outs to preserve the shocking win, 7-5.
TAM 5-8-1 LP Soriano (0-1) BS (1) (4 walks in 1 inning pitch)
CIC  7-4-1 WP Young (1-0) S Peralta (2)  recipients of 7 walks!

Game 3 - Detmers vs. Manoah
This game featured a batter hitting for the cycle, also featured the Stingrays outhitting the Cyclones again. And 5 runs in the 1st. Jake Burger launches a 3 run homer (1) in the 1st. Cyclones get back 2 - the 1st a direct result of a single, a dropped fly ball and then a wild pitch and then a SF. Game is tied in the 3rd on a Rengifo homer (1), his 2nd hit of the game. 

Cyclones break the game open in the 5th when Call draws a bases loaded walk and then Rengifo triples driving in 3 for a 7-3 lead! But the game is not over - top of the 6th Kepler steps to the plate pinch hitting for Neto and singles in 2 runs to cut it to 7-5.  Then the Cyclone bullpen comes to the rescue and shuts down the Stingrays for the final 3.2 innings. And Rengifo comes up again and doubles to complete the cycle (and the single in the 1st was an infield hit).
TAM 5-10-2 LP Detmers (0-1)
CIC  7- 8-0 WP Manoah (1-0) S Ferguson (1)

Game 4 - Rodriguez vs. Whitlock
Finally, the Cyclones outhit the Stingrays and get started in the 1st on a Marte (1) homer, 1-0. Then Verdugo ties the game with an rbi single in the 3rd.  Then in the 5th, the Stingrays tag some shots off Whitlock. Espinal takes Laureano deep down the line in right, 1 down. Neto then hits one to the gap that Laureano races to catch up to an snares it in the webbing. Then Verdugo takes one to the wall, Laureano catches it, slams the wall and the ball pops out of his glove. Verdugo just kept running and scores for a 2-1 Tampa lead. But Whitlock maintains his poise giving up just 2 hits and those 2 runs (1 uneraned) and fanning 8 in 6.1 innings.  But he does leave in the 7th with the bases loaded as his control vacated him.  But Young and Jackson keep Tampa from scoring anymore. BUT - the Marte homer in the 1st was the only score the Cyclones could muster against Rodriguez, 6 hits,1 run, 7.1 innings.  And the Speier finishes the game getting the 5 out save!  Tampa wins, 2-1.
TAM 2-3-0 WP Rodriguez (1-0) S Speier (1)
CIC  1-6-1 LP Whitlock (0-1)

Game 5 - Urquidy vs. Harrison
WIBL debut for Harrison doesn't go as hoped. He lasts 5 innings and gives up 10 hits, 2 walks and SEVEN runs. Harold Castro has a big game - 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 rbis. His 1st single drives in the games 1st run in the 2nd, Tampa 1-0. Then the top of the 4th - things came unglued. A 1 out HBP on Burger starts things. But Kepler fans, 2 outs.  BUT Castro muscles a double, Burger scores! Rosario doubles, 3-0. Brennan singles, Rosario scores, 4-0. Brennan goes to 2nd. Rutschman then hits the slow roller to CF to make it 5-0!  Cyclone offense however comes to the rescue when Rizzo gets the IF single with runners at 2nd and 3rd, 5-1. Call then doubles off the wall, 5-2. Laureano singles up the middle, 5-3.  Then he's picked off. And Rojas flies out - so 5-3 after 4, Tampa in control. 

Alonso leads off the 5th with a homer (2), 6-3 Tampa. That's it until the 6th when Castro leads off with a single, Harrison's debut is mercifully over. Adam in and Rosario greets him with an rbi double and Tampa has a 7-3 lead! 

Bottom of the 7th Wilson in to relieve Urquidy (6 ip, 4 hits, 3 run).  Starts with a HBP on Laureano. Arcia in to PH for Rojas and after a SB, Arcia doubles scoring 1. Cyclones scores a 2nd run on a 2 out Marte triple but he is stranded at 3rd so after 7 it's 7-5 Tampa! Jameson and Thornton then blank Tampa in the 8th. Soto comes on for the bottom of the 8th. Devers opens with a single. 1 out, Call is beaned. Laureano then bounces into FC with Devers moving to 3rd. Arcia up, fists one to RF, Devers scores, Laureano goes to 3rd. Delay up - deep to CF, off the wall, Laureano scores, Arica is being waved in - he scores, Cyclones gain the lead 8-7! Soto leaves - too late.9th inning, Peralta in. Rutschman grounds out. Castellanos, whiff. Alonso ropes ones hard to RF, Laureano races to the line, dives, looks like a trap, he's holding it up, the umpires thumb goes up!  Out,  replay confirms, out, game, Cyclones win, 8-7 on big comeback!
TAM 7-12-0 LP Soto (0-1) BS (1)   again they outhit the Cyclones
CIC  8- 9-0 WP Thornton (1-0) S Peralta (3)

Surprising opening series as Cyclones manufacture runs as bullpen fof Tampa fails to hold a few games. Next week we host Mokena for SIX (CIC all set). Tampa flips coasts and goes to San Diego.
Shenandoah vs Antelope
 Shenandoah takes 3 of 5 from Antelope
 
 
 
Game One, Antelope 9, Shenandoah 4
 
Gerardo Perdomo has three hits and scored twice to lead the River Cats to the opening day win.  Michael Wacha limited the Pandas to only four hits, but one was a three run shot by Patrick Widsom. Eight different Cats scored at least one run.
 
 
 
Game Two, Antelope 18, Shenandoah 8
 
The River Cats hit five first innings homers off of Romel Blanco in route to an 11 run inning.  The River Cats finished day with a total of eight homers, and had 51 total bases.  Both Lourdes Gurriel and J.D. Martinez went deep twice.  Starting catcher Austin Hedges was the most effective pitcher for the Pandas, with two shutout innings to close out the game.
 
 
 
Game Three, Shenandoah 5, Antelope 4
 
Patrick Wisdom broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning with a solo homer off of Cat reliever Craig Kimbrell to send the Pandas to their first victory.  The Pandas scored all of the runs on the long ball, including a two run shot by Christian Morel.
 
 
 
Game Four, Shenandoah 10, Antelope 4
 
The Pandas bats game alive with a 13 hit attack that chase Cats starter Brandon Wiliamson after only 2/3 of an inning.  The Pandas batted around in the first, scoring five runs and put Framber Valdez on easy street for his first win of the season.  Max Muncy had the big blow in the first, a three run homer that forced Antelope to tax their bullpen to stay in the game.
 
 
 
Game Five, Shenandoah 7. Antelope 2
 
Luke Weaver allowed only three hits and one earned run on eight innings of work. Again the Pandas used a pair of long balls, from Eddie Rosario and Patrick Wisdom to give themselves another big inning, a five run third.  The River Cats bats never came alive until Cal Raleigh hit a solo homer in the ninth. 
Gulf Breeze vs Louisiana
The new look Cajuns came to Gulf Breeze to kick off the 2024 season and as usual outplayed their hosts in winning 3 of 5.  But this Cajun squad had something other Cajuns haven't had- speed.  They stole 14 bases and were not caught in the 5 games.  Add in the usual 8 HR in 5 games, and the Breeze was lucky to stay relevant.

Gm 1: 6-2 GB  Opening Day is always exciting and today was that day.  Down 2-1 in the 6th, both Anderson and Escobar had rbi base knocks and the bullpen got it done.  Paxton wins, Giolito doesn't.  Every GB batter but the 9 hole had at least one base knock.  Realmuto homered for Louisiana, Marsh & Heyward connected for the good guys.

Gm 2: 3-2 Lou  Best game of the set.  Lynn walked 7, and allowed 7 hits, but hung in with T.May and King (save 1) closing it out.  The game was truly decided in the home 5th with the routing 9-2-6 DP to quell a Rebel rally.  Moncada left the building for Lou.

Gm 3: 11-7 Lou  Cajuns stole 7 bases on the day and the final score was closer than it should have been.  Outman, Acuna, and Witt all homered for our guests and Marinaccio wound up the winner.  It was 10-0 Lou before the Breeze plated 6 in the home 5th, but that would be as close as they'd come. Gomber with a solid outing- 4 IP with 8 ER.

Gm 4: 5-0 Lou  161-1 is still a possibility for the Cajuns as Woodruff tossed a sweet 2 hitter and Realmuto homered twice (3).

Gm 5: 5-1 GB  Breeze responded with a solid DeSclafani outing and the bullpen pitched the final 3 2/3 without a baser runner allowed.  Marsh had a pair of doubles in a 3 for 5 day, and Tom Murphy finished 3 for 3 with a walk.  Wesneski was hit hard in the loss.

Next week, Gulf Breeze heads to Freeport while the Cajuns hear to Tulsa.
Chappaqua vs Greensboro
ITS OPENING DAY AND THE START OF ANOTHER GREAT WIBL SEASON AS THE NEW LOOK CHAPPAQUA COMETS HOST THE DEFENDING WORLD CHAMPION GREENSBORO GRASSHOPPERS

The Hoppers have won the NL East Division title TEN YEARS IN A ROW!  The Comets, who last won the Division in 2012, are hoping that this is the year when the Hoppers finally come back to earth. After winning a record 132 games (!!) last season, what can Greensboro do for an encore?  Well based on the results of the opening series, it looks like it will be another great year for the Hoppers – as the Comets (along with the Jays and Lucky Strikes) try their best to dethrone the reigning champs

Home Runs were flying out of the park throughout the series, as the Hoppers won the first two, the Comets the next two and the Hoppers the finale in a tense, exciting, TWELVE inning contest

 

GAME 1

 

Sonny Gray v Shohei Otahni

 

GRE 7 CHA 0

 

A classic matchup as the Comets new ace, Sonny Gray, goes up against the great Ohtani. Gray was acquired in a pre season trade when Chappaqua traded its #1 pick Cole Ragans and promising young OF Matt Wallner to Cowtown for Gary and 1B Nick Pratto.

 

With Gray anchoring the rotation, the Comets are hoping they can finally match up with the tremendous starting rotation of Alan Berger’s boys from Greensboro. Well it was not to be today.

 

In real life, in the regular season, Gray gave up only FOUR HRs --- Greensboro matched that total today in the first SIX INNINGS!

Mike Trout, Corey Seager, Wilson Contreras and Jordan Walker all took Gray deep as Greensboro got the easy win. Ohtani was, well Ohtani, as he pitched 6 shutout innings, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 7. He also went 1-4 as the DH. Seager had 3 hits and the rookie sensation, Walker had two (including a double together with his HR). The only negative for the Hoppers was star CF Julio Rodriguez was HBP and will miss the rest of the series.

 

Miles Mikolas pitched three shutout innings for the save. Gray took the loss, as he allowed 12 hits and SEVEN RUNS in 7 innings.

 

GAME 2

 

Bailey Ober v Justin Verlander

 

GRE 4 CHA 2

 

Greensboro throws out another ace and gets another win as the veteran, Verlander, pitches 8 innings allowing only 2 runs on 5 hits, with 7 Ks.

No easy win for the Hoppers this time as they had to come from behind to pull it out.

GRE scored first when Walker (2-4) continued his hot start with an RBI single. Trailing 1-0, the Comets took their first lead of the season in the 4th when Willi Castro hit a 2 run bomb. The game remained 2-1 going to the 7th.  In the 7th Ober got into trouble and Will Smith came on to get Nootbar (4-5) out. But then Jordan Walker singled to drive in a run and tie the game at 2-2.

 

Rookie Justin Topa took the mound for CHA in the 8th and retired the side in order. Topa, the #3 draft pick for CHA, is expected to be a key part of a rebuilt bullpen- but not today. Starting his second inning of relief, in the 9th,  Lars Nootbar homered off Topa to break the tie, the solo shot making it 3-2. Then Ohtaini went deep to make it 4-2. Topa, who had given up only 4 HRs in real life all season, had just given up 2 in one inning!

 

Evan Phillips pitched a shutout 9th for GRE for the save. Ohtani was 3-5. 1B Seth Brown was 2-2 with 2 walks for CHA

 

GAME 3

 

Kyle Gibson v JP France

 

CHA 6 GRE 4

 

France was Greensboro’s #1 draft pick this season but his debut was not a good one. The Comets raked him for 7 hits and 5 runs in 4.2 IP and he left trailing 5-4.  After the Comets scored one in the first, Greensboro took the lead in the second on a 2 run HR by Mike Trout against Gibson. Conor Joe tied it with a solo HR in the bottom of the frame. In the third, the Comets took the lead as Kim hit a solo HR and Matt Chapman doubled in a run.

 

GRE got 2 back in the 5th on a 2 run HR by Seager(2) to tie it at 4-4. CHA came right back and regained the lead in the bottom 5th on a solo HR by Josh Lowe, sending France to the showers. In the 6th, Joe tripled and Castro doubled to make it 6-4 Comets, the final score.

 

Gibson got the win, allowing 4 runs in 6 innings. Three relievers, Matt Moore, Clay Holmes and Yennier Cano each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Cano, the Comets second round pick in this year’s draft, got his first WIBL save.

 

The loss was costly to the Hoppers in more ways than one as Seager was HBP and is expected to miss two weeks. GRE’s offense is so deep however that even without Seager and Rodriguez it is still one of the most potent, if not most potent, offenses in WIBL.

 

GAME 4

 

Marcus Stroman v Max Scherzer

 

CHA 9  GRE 4

 

Greensboro’s parade of aces continue as Mad Max takes the mound. But this is not his day as the Comets knock him out in the second inning, after Max gave up 7 hits and 5 runs. Kim lead off with a HR (2) making it 1-0 after one. In the second, David Peralta (with Judge resting) singled in a run, the red hot Joe doubled in two and Gabriel Moreno singled in another. 5-0 CHA after 2. In the 4th, Moreno hit a 2 run HR to make it 7-0, the HR coming off the veteran Zack Greinke who will mainly pitch out of the pen this season.

 

Nolan Arenado and Salvador Perez hit solo HRs as the Hoppers tried to crawl back into the game. But whatever chances they had were ended in the 8th when lefty reliever Matt Moore struck out Ohtani with the bases loaded and two out.

 

Moreno, the second year catcher who is expected to have a breakout season, was 3-5 with 3 RBIs (single, double, HR). Willi Castro also had 3 hits.

 

Marcus Stroman went 7.1 IP to get the win, allowing only 5 hits and 2 runs with ELEVEN STRIKEOUTS and no walks.

 

GAME 5

 

Adrian Houser v Jose Quintana

 

GRE 8 CHA 7   12 innings

 

With the series tied, it was only fitting that the final game would be a close extra inning affair. What a game! In the third inning, Greensboro took the lead on a 2 run HR by Trout, his second of the series (3-7 on the day, .316 for the series). CHA tied it in the bottom of the frame when Kim walked with the bases loaded and Judge grounded into a bases loaded DP with a run scoring. In the 5th, GRE scored three to take a 5-2 lead but again the Comets came right back in the bottom of the 5th. Judge (1-6, .200) doubled to drive in two and Yainier Diaz (another up and coming second year catcher) singled in a run to tie the game at 5-5.

 

In the 7th, that sensational rookie, Jordan Walker did it again, singling in another run, his SIXTH RBI of the series! 6-5 GRE Greensboro took the one run lead into the 8th as Ian Hamilton, another 2023 draft pick, took the mound- following a brief rain delay. Diaz greeted him with a solo HR to tie it at 6-6. Then Garrett Cooper hit another solo HR and CHA had the lead 7-6 going to the 9th.

 

In the 9th, after lefty Will Smith  retired Ohtani for the first out, rookie closer Yennier Cano came in to pitch. He walked Albies and then Contreras executed the hit and run perfectly singling to right putting runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. The next batter, Arenado singled and the game was tied at 7-7. Walker was then HBP to load the bases but Cano got Isiah Kiner-Falefa (in for the injured Seager) to ground into a DP.

 

The game went to extra innings as both bullpens took over. Clay Holmes started his second inning of relief for CHA in the 12th. Second year player Spencer Torkelson homered (only the second of his WIBL career) and the Hoppers led 8-7.  Trevor MeGill set the Comets down in order in the bottom of the 12th and Greensboro had a come from behind win in a thriller – and took the series 3 games to 2.

 

Evan  Phillips and Megill  (the winning pitcher)combined for four shutout innings in relief, allowing only 1 hit, no walks and striking out 5.  Holmes was the loser. Cano had his first career Blown Save.

 

Diaz and Cooper each went 3-5 for the Comets, with Cooper scoring 3 runs.  For GRE, Albies was 4-6 with a double, an RBI, and 3 runs scored.

The rookie, Walker, was 2-5 and hit .381 for the series. Centerfielder Lars Nootbar was 1-4 with 3 walks and ended the series batting .444

 

Given Greensboro’s fire power, the Comets felt lucky to get 2 wins in the 5 games.

 

Next: The Comets travel to Stamford to play the Jays, who made the playoffs last season and should pose a threat to Greensboro’s dominance in 2023. Greensboro will host Durham in a six game series, that begins with a doubleheader.

 

Baseball is back!