2016 25+ Central ‘Wind Jackets’
Tucson Tigers 18, Chicago Redhawks 7
‘18 Runs on 16 Hits Too Much for Redhawks’
By Rick Arbogast, special to MSBL National
November 6, 2016, Maryvale Complex, Phoenix, AZ – On a beautiful day for a ball game both teams, the Tucson Tigers and the Chicago Redhawks, came into the contest riding two-game winning streaks. Due to the rain on Thursday, Tucson’s game concluded at 1:45 Friday morning then they had to come back on Saturday to play a double header. They took both ends beating the Ogden Danes 6-1 and the Arizona Angels 1-0. Chicago beat the Wave’s 4-1 on Friday then out dueled the Cardinals on Saturday 6-5.
The visiting Tigers jumped out to an early lead as “MVP” Zack Tarbet led off the inning with a sharp line drive single to right then promptly stole second and third. “I’m a little spark plug and I do what I can to help these guys out,” said Tarbet. “They’re my brothers, my teammates and I’d do anything for these 20 guys that are sitting right over here next to me.” After a Matt Marquez strike out, Justin McAllister walked putting runners on the corners. Blake Bradford stepped to the plate and did his job as the number four hitter, driving in both runners with a solid single. Paul Warman grounded out to third but the Tigers weren’t done yet. With two outs Mike Perez singled, driving in Bradford. The big lefty
pitcher Matt Christman came to the plate and singled as Perez came across for their fourth run of the inning. Adrian Verduzco doubled but was stranded at second as Rick Patton ended the inning on a ground ball to shortstop Billy Yeager.
In Chicago’s half of the inning, leadoff hitter Mickey Martin roped one down the third base line that Dan Desgagne dove for while making a fantastic play, as he got to his feet to complete the throw to first. Following that great play Jim Braun grounded out to short and Karl Lundholm went down on strikes.
It was more of the same for Tucson in the second inning as they plated four more with singles by Desgagne and McAllister, a double by Bradford (his 3rd and 4th RBI’s), two errors and a sacrifice fly by Warman.
As the game settled in Christman did too, as he pounded the corners with fastballs and mixed in an off-speed pitch just enough to keep the hitters off balance.
The Redhawks broke through for a run in the third as Eric Page drew a walk, Yeager singled and Page scored on a Martin fielder’s choice to shortstop. In the fifth both teams scored as the Tigers put four across and the Redhawks plated three. The score after five innings of play was Tigers 12, Redhawks 4. There was no further scoring in the sixth.
Bobby Peraino led off the seventh for the Redhawks with a perfect bunt down the third
base line for a single and scored on a single by Yeager. In the eighth Braun singled and Lundholm doubled (for the second time in the game), scoring Braun. Lundholm also came around to score on an error by the shortstop making the score Tigers 12, Redhawks 7. The Tigers quieted any thoughts of a comeback in the top of the ninth as they scored six more runs to put the game away.
Chicago threw five different pitchers but couldn’t contain the Tigers potent offense. Winning coach Kevin Patrick said, “A lot of baseball in five days and everybody was tired and worn out but everybody stuck it out for all nine innings. I can’t say enough about my team. Unfortunately, I had to choose one MVP but it would be all 21 guys, honestly. Everybody did great. We’re looking forward to next year and hopefully no rain”.
During the game, little Cason enjoyed sitting next to his dad Cory Evans in the dugout and getting his picture taken with dad and the Championship Trophy.
R H E
Tucson Tigers 4 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 6 18 16 5
Chicago Redhawks 0 0 1 0 3 0 1 2 0 7 10 4
Tigers 2 2 1 6
Redhawks 3 1 0 2
WP – Matt Christman
LP – Jake Stachowiak