2022 Houston Hurricanes ‘3-Peat’ in 35+ Spring Division of Houston Hardball League
Houston Hardball League, 35+ Spring Division
Houston Hurricanes 8, Expos 1
Submitted by Michael Williams, Hurricanes manager
July 17, 2022-Hello Hurricane Fans. Championship Sunday is finally here! Your Orange Crush boys of Summer were back in action this Sunday at Northland Christian to face the #2 seeded Expos in the winner take all spring 35+ HHL Championship game. Today’s game highlights are brought to you by Hanszen & Laporte Attorneys at Law. This is the Championship team you want to be a part of for all of your legal needs!
Setting the stage… these two teams had not collided since May 1st when one run separated the two teams through two games on the day. Both teams were ready for a battle under the high noon Houston sky and a battle we would have!
The Expos would come out in the first inning and get two on, but Stephen would work his way out of it without any damage. The Hurricanes would also get two on, but the Expos starter Jason (Wing-Nut) Iriarte would also work out of it, ending the inning with a hard fly ball to center off the bat of Jonathan.
In the top of the second, the Expos Tommy Rozell would lead off with a single and end up being the Spo’s first run of the game as he advanced on a WP, PB and then scored on a bang/bang plate at the plate and a fielder’s choice hit by Scott. In the bottom of the inning, Jason would work fast, 1, 2, and 3 while only throwing four pitches.
In the third, the Expos would get one on base, but that would be it. The Hurricanes would rally with a couple of hits but would have Martin thrown out at home by a fly to left and a 7-2 throw by Gibb to the plate.
In the top of the fourth the Expos would get two guys on but would have their own guy thrown out at the plate for the third out of the inning. Jason, still working hard, would see another 1, 2, 3, inning throwing only five pitches in this one.
In the fifth, the Expos would go 1,2, 3 as Stephen would record two more K’s in the inning, now up to five. After a quick team huddle, your Canes came out fired up and ready. Juan would lead off the inning with a HBP and hand off to Jonathan, who would steal second. Stephen would then move him over on a sac fly to right. Gaston would then single driving in the first Hurricanes run of the day and tie the game up at one. Measha would follow the G-Train with a double and Gaston would then score on a sac fly to left by Martin to give your Canes their first lead of the day 2-1 after five.
In the top of the sixth, the Expos would look to rally with a single and a walk, but Stephen again would work out of the situation stranding them on base. In the bottom of the sixth, Ritchie bats would lead off with a laser passed second base and hand off the running to Rocky. After advancing to second on a passed ball, Ray Ray Perez would unload on one.. back..backk…backkkk….GONE, over the fence at Northland to give the Hurricanes a 4-1 lead and knock their starter Jason out of the game.
Tommy would come in for relief and would be greeted by a quick single by Pedro. With one out, Juan would follow with an RBI double down the third base line. As the dust settled your Canes would be hanging onto a 5-1 lead.
Into the seventh we would go with Stephen still on the mound on this hot, 99-degree day. The Expos would work one walk, but the other three would all strike out. In the bottom of the seventh we would go and your Canes were not done! Martin would lead off with a single and steal second and then move to third on a passed ball. Rocky would then walk and steal second. Ritchie would then hit a ball hard to second with the only play going to first to score a run. Ray would follow with a sun ball single to score another. WIth two outs, Ray and Pedro would execute a perfect stolen base/pickle play to score the third run of the inning and extend the lead.
The Expos would enter the eighth down to their final three outs and a 7-run deficit. Jim would lead off with a single, but that would be all as Stephen would strike out two more (11) and Martin would catch the final out of the game and season in center, off the bat of Expos power hitter Gibb.
Hurricanes win… your HURRICANES WIN !!!
We ending the season 11-0-1 and adding in an unprecedented 3-peat. This team has a tremendous amount to be proud of in a very hard season!
Shout-Outs:
Stephen: CG, Win, 11Ks and zero ERs – wow
Ray: 2 for 4 day with a HR, 1B, and 3 RBIs
Pedro: 3 for 4 day with a double and a walk
Martin: 2 for 2 with an amazing bunt, sac fly and 2 SBs and an RBI
Overall Canes Offense: Everyone came up big in big moments. 7 of the 8 runs were scored by different hitters and five different guys hit in a run
Overall Canes Defense: Solid ALL day… special shout-outs to Jonathan working the entire game behind the plate, Pedro on the hot corner and the Canes outfield who didn’t let ONE SINGLE ball touch the grass… wow!
Special Thanks: This was a very special season. It was a hard year with injuries and conflicts and with great competition on the other side. But this team found a way to win, which included at least four late comebacks!
Our Sponsors Hanszen & Laporte Attorneys at Law.
Players – your commitment to doing this and the right way!
Fans – appreciate you coming out and supporting us, especially in this heat!!
Great things to come… we are still building together! Your Hurricane Crush boys of Summer is one to remember!
GO Canes GO!