Double the Fun as Greenville Takes Two

The first and only double header of the year ended with two more games in the win column for Greenville Oaks. With a blistering hot afternoon, Greenville came into the games knowing that they would not have any substitutes due to a vast disabled list. With the game time temperature of 104 degrees, Greenville was able to defeat Mosaic by an 11 - 10 score. In the second matchup, Greenville had to switch fields, but apparently the bats enjoyed warming up in the first game as they jumped out to a 6 - 0 lead and continued hitting their way to a 16 - 1 victory. The wins push Greenville to 4 - 2 on the season.

There were many storylines on the night. The heat was definitely one of them. It was so hot that David Strickland's jersy got soaked with sweat, and he wasn't even at the game. Hydration was definitely a key for the bats to keep working.

Game 1 with Mosaic started poorly as Greenville had to overcome a 5 run deficit in the first inning. (Nelson Cruz just hit a two run homer in the 14th inning as I write this...that excites me...I am going to need just a moment...ok, I'm back)The defense faltered as we had to start the game with 9 players for the first inning due to traffic on 75. Kurt Wasemiller, making his first start of Summer season, made it in time for the second inning. It worked, because in the bottom of the first, Greenville answered with 5 runs of their own.

The defense held on as Greenville would add 6 more runs to make it 11 to 7 going into the top of the 6th innning. Mosaic would add 3 runs due to some defensive mistakes in that inning, but they fell just short to end the game.

It was a new look for Greenville as we had several regulars missing the game due to various reasons that will not be discussed. (Neftali Feliz just finished off the Tigers to get the win...Greatest night ever? possibly)

John Garrett and Kurt Wasemiller made their first appearances of the Summer playing Right Center field and 3rd base respectively. Wasemiller is coming off a 60 day disabled list stint due to a lingering high ankle sprain. John is coming of a 60 day d. l. stint as well, as he continues to nurse a sore wrist.

Rookie Matt Wacaster made his first start in left field, and Michael Shivers made his first start at Short Stop. The first game took about an inning for everyone to get used to the new look, but after that inning, the team settled down and only allowed six more runs through the next 9 innings.

Game two was agains Creekwood UMC, and it got ugly early in a good way. This time batting as the visiting team, Greenville jumped out to a 6 - 0 lead in the first. Creekwood would respond with 1 run in the bottom of the inning, but that was it for the rest of the night. Greenville would go on to score 9 more runs in the next 3 innings, and the game was called after 4 innings due to the run rule. 15 - 1 was the final.

The offense had the best night of it's year. As much as I hate to do this, I am going to have to name Bryan Brokaw as the offensive player of the night. Filling in at the lead off spot for Strickland, Brokaw went 6 for 7 through two games with two homeruns. Dustin Swart added his own flashes of brilliance as he stole his second base of the season to set a single season stolen base record.

Defensive player of the night was Brian Edwards as he was diving all over the field. His hustle alone was worthy of the honor.

Michael Shivers and Randy Way both suffered groin injuries, but they fought through the pain to finish out two solid games for both.

Matt Wacaster added a homerun in the first game, as every run would prove very important, and Curtis Damour had a slump compared to his usual games, but he still reached base 3 times on three singles.

Mike Mabry made his second appearance at second base, and he added some flashes of brilliance with the glove.

Game 7 will take place next Monday night at 8:30, as Greenville gets set to take on Suncreek for the second time this season. The last game ended with Greenville on top, 8 - 3.