It was a beautiful day at EMLL on Cinco de Mayo 2024, when the Sand Crabs faced off against the Orioles in a rematch of the first round playoff game from 2023. In that game, the Orioles took it to the Crabs, putting an exclamatory end to the quest for their 7th straight title in the MABL of Southern Wisconsin 45+ division. Some of the Crabs haven’t slept since. Truth be told, they are all still a little chapped, even the new guys….but I digress…..
On the bump for the home Orange Birds was seasoned vet Steve Waugh, and for the visiting Sand Crabs the mustachioed master, Randy Gaber. Waugh’s battery mate was John Kuehl, and Gaber’s tossing partner was none other than Brian Buol.
Before I go further let me express my delight that the Orioles have a written roster on the MABL website this year. Its so much easier to give their talented players due props when I can accurately plug in their names! Next up, numbers on all of their jerseys! Woo Hoo!
The game was a fast one through the first five frames, as Waugh and Gaber kept the hit count low, at 5 for the Crabs and 4 for the O’s. It was a 1-0 game after 5 innings, after only an hour of time. The Crabs were out in front in the first on a Mike Wallace walk that plated Troy Galson who had singled, advanced to second on a Gaber single and to third when Jim Pliner wore one.
In to pitch in the 6th was Wallace for the Crabs, and “newcomer” but MABLOSWI league veteran Terry Wilson for the Orioles. Wallace kept the beaked beasts from chirping in the frame. Wilson, a Certified Nurse Anesthetist hurler hoped to put to sleep the Crabs hitters. The first 3 Crabs reached on free passes, one of them painful, to load the bases for Mike Kauffman, (two F’s, one N). Kauffman barreled a ground-out to score Dewey Walz for the second Crab run. Medium (but sveltly downsized for 2024) Slugger and Crabs SS Chris McGill then doubled to score rookie LF Pete Mand and CF Rich Rydecki. 2B Troy Galston singled to move McGill to third, and Gaber launched a Sac Fly to left that scored McGill. 5-0 Crabs.
In the top of the 7th, the Sandies were silent, while the Orioles got one when manager and super skipper CF Steve Hirshfeld reached on a fielder’s choice and scored when Kuehl singled. 5-1 Crabs after 7 complete. The crustaceans tacked on 3 more in their half of the 8th, when two batters who were struck by pitches and other who walked scored on another Gaber single. In the back of his mind, Gaber knew he was positioned well for the SPOG. But in true Gabes style, it would stay on the down low.
The Orioles plussed one (it’s a word) in their half of the 8th when 3B Mike Thiede reached on a potentially questionable infield single, based on facial expressions during conversations on first base. (insert smiley faced thingy here) He was knocked in by Waugh who singled up the middle after a long quality at bat. 8-2 Crabs.
In the 9th, the Sand Crabs added a quatro to their tally reaching the third Orioles pitcher for 4 hits, including a double by Mand and their 5th hit batsman on the contusion-filled day. Tim McInernay knocked in two, while Walz and Mand got one. 12-2 Crabs.
The Orioles entered the bottom of the ninth to face Crabs new closer, rookie Bill Grahn. Grahn, fresh from a 23 year stint with the Crabs triple A squad, the Canned Crabs, earned his roster spot this year on time served alone. He allowed a single to Terry Wilson, then induced a fly out to right by Ben Mason. Little reached on a base on balls, and Hirshfeld was a strikeout victim. Kuehl singled to score Wilson and Little, and Aaron Meyer later scored as well. Wally came in to record the last out of the game, on a popout to a falling McGill.
Final Score: Sand Crabs 12, Orioles 5. Kuehl, Wilson, and Thiede led the winged wonders with 2 hits apiece, and Troy Galson led the Crabs with 3 hits, followed by Gaber and Mackles with two.
Gaber picked up the win on the mound allowing 4 hits and no runs, no walks, and striking out 3. Waugh shouldered the loss, allowing only one run on 5 hits, 2 walks, and one HBP during his 5 inning tenure.
Both squads are off next week to celebrate with their mothers, other mothers, including but not limited to mothers from another grandmother, brother.
Peace.
Orioles
Angels
Muskrats