First State Tussle
May 2, 2011 – Diamond State BBC traveled to southern Delaware on Saturday to face off against the new Lewes BBC in what was the Sussex nine’s first match ever. The Lewes club proved to be fine hosts and demonstrated an ample amount of ginger for first-time challengers. The match, played under cloudy skies, took place at the Virden Center ball field on the University of Delaware’s Lewes Campus.
The Blue and Black put up 4 aces in both the first and second frames, matched by the Lewes club’s two scores. Not to be daunted, Lewes charged back with 3 aces in the third inning and held the Diamond States scoreless to make the score a close 8-5 after three innings. The more experienced Delaware nine put the game away in the latter innings with 5 aces in the 4th, 9 more in the 5th, and 4 more in the final 4 innings, while holding the Lewes nine to a single score. The final tally showed Diamond State’s 25 aces to Lewes’ 6.
This was an encouraging start to what is hoped will be a long-standing Delaware base ball rivalry. The two clubs hope to meet later in season to determine Delaware’s base ball champion.
There were several players with noteworthy performances for the Diamond State nine. In his first game, rookie Andy “Lynchmob” Lynch was a gaudy 4-5 at the plate, tallying 2 triples and 4 aces. Greg “Memphis” Boulden also scored 4 aces in a 4-6 performance, while also pitching 3 scoreless innings to finish the match with a save. Captain Garrett “Steady” Perdick and Ken “Buzzsaw” Bonsall both collected 3 aces, while going 4-6 with a double each. Jake “Snake” Bockman mashed 2 doubles and tallied 2 aces in a 4-6 effort. Doug “One Finger” Brown returned to form going 4-5 with 2 aces. Earl “Stones” Benningfield and starting pitcher Dan “Mini” Minutola each logged 3 hits in 6 appearances, gathering 2 and 3 aces respectively. Frank “Mr. B” Brevoort, III also tallied 2 aces while going 3-5 at the bat.
With the victory at Lewes, Diamond State’s record rises to 2-3 for the season.
After playing their first 3 matches on the road, Diamond State returns to the friendly confines of Fort DuPont State Park in Delaware City for their May 15 home opener against the Mechanicsburg Nine of Pennsylvania. Pre-game festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. with the match scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start time.
Game 4@Lewes W 25-6 (2-3)
STIRKER’S STATISTICS
Buzzsaw 4-6, 3 aces, 2B, first successful Baltimore chop
Memphis 4-6, 4 aces, 3 innings of shutout relief for the save
Steady 4-6, 3 aces, 2B
Stones 3-6, 2 aces
Big Six 1-5, 1 ace, BB
Snake 4-6, 2 aces, two 2B
Mini 3-6, 3 aces
Swampy 1-5, 1 ace
One Finger 4-5, 2 aces
Mr. B. 3-5, 2 aces
Lynchmob 4-5, 4 aces, two 3B
