The Craws rode an 8 run 3rd inning to victory on a hot day at Bowman field.

 

It was a warm and partly cloudy day at Duane F. Bowman park in central Madison when the visiting Sand Crabs met the Rangers, in a grudge match generated from a previous tie earlier in the year.  Despite a rainy Friday, the park was in tip-top shape. Today marked the return of Sand Crabs utility man Chris McGill, fresh off a 3 week hiatus from the big club, which included a rehab stint with the Chesapeake Blue Crabs, where he went 26 for 19, with 14 doubles, 18 triples, and one walk.  He also pitched and caught 3 games, but only one at the same time.

Jeff Kunkel started for the Rangers, and kept the Crabs off the board until the second when Tim McInernay reached on an error, stole a base, and scored when Crabs backstop Brian Buol reached on an error as well.  1-0 Crabs.  Things would stay this way until the 4th, when the Sandies tallied two on singles by Mike Schoonveld, Mike Wallace, McInernay, and Jason Himebauch.  In their half, the Rangers eked out a run off Sand Crabs starter Randy Gaber, when LF Mark Tyler reached on a fielders choice, and scored on a Crabs gaffe.  3-1 Crabbers.

The top of the 5th saw the Crabs get a few more, on singles by Barry Davis and Ward Paxton, and doubles by Steve Hill and McGill.  The Rangers went quietly in their half of the 5th, and the Sand Crabs managed 6 in the 6th, on 7 hits, highlighted by doubles by Buol and Davis. The Rangers fought back for 2 in the bottom of the frame, on a double by SS Chris Gustaf, and singles by Tyler, Pete Olson, and Paul Yurkovich.

The last run would be scored by the Sand Crabs in the 7th, when McGill singled off Rangers reliever Dan Hendrickson and was sent straight home by Wallace with his 3rd knock of the day.

Kunkel, Gustav, Tyler and Olson each had two hits for the Rangers, and Wallace led the way for the Crabs with 3, and 6 others had 2 hits apiece.

Gaber got the W for the Crabs, going 6 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 7 hits, striking out 4 while walking none.  Wallace went the last two innings, allowing no runs on 2 hits, striking out 2 and walking one.

Both teams poured beverages down their parched gullets after the game, and some fantastic pizza was enjoyed as well.  There was an overabundance of Schlitz, but no overindulgence as we all know when to say when.  Or something.

Next week the MSBL 45+ games are at beautiful Jaycee Athletic Park in Sauk City, a great venue.