MABL/MSBL Player of the Week: Scott Warfel, Arizona MSBL
Submitted by Tom Cavey, Arizona Lugnuts manager
A Lugnuts team record 12-run, seventh inning broke open a close game as the 65+ Arizona Lugnuts ransacked the Arizona Rangers by a final of 16-5 Sunday at Mountain View High.
The game was a seesaw battle through the first six innings. The Rangers grabbed an early 2-0 lead. The Lugnuts then tied the score with runs in the second and third innings. Another back and forth and it was 5-4 Rangers after six innings. Then, it was all Lugnuts as the offense put up an even dozen in the top of the seventh as 17 players came to bat.
It started innocently enough as Lisa Ernst walked and Matt Falerios reached base. As the crowd (including ‘Willow’ the dog) went wild, the next nine consecutive batters reached base, on a combination of hits and walks with one (ouch!) hit batter. When the dust finally settled, the Lugnuts’ big inning left the Rangers reeling.
Our hitting highlights start with Louis Zobb and his three hits, two runs scored, and two RBI. The bottom three in the order, Dan Sheridan, Tom Wisz, and Tom Cavey, scored six runs, drove in three, accumulated three walks, knocked out three hits (double for Tom C) and suffered one hit batter (Tom C). Thanks, Dan for the wrist wrap!
Our ‘Player of the Game’ was Scott Warfel who had another perfect day at the plate with two hits and two walks. Jim Portugal went 2 for 4 and Mike Sullivan had two hits. David Sheridan, Lisa Ernst, and Ralph Proulx each had a hit, a walk, a run scored, and an RBI. Derek Strickland had a walk and an RBI. Drew Soicher had a sac fly RBI and reached base on an HBP. Reuben Otis scored 12 runs and nearly ran out of ink in his pen by marking the scorebook.
On the mound, Scott Warfel pitched six quality innings (0 walks, 2 strikeouts) and Matt Falerios finished up a scoreless seventh to end the game as time expired. It was a complete team effort for the victory. Following the game, the team had a get together at a local watering hole to celebrate the win. The outing was coordinated by Jim Portugal. Thanks to Jim!