It was a hot, humid, and swampy Sunday on July 14, 2024 when the first place Sand Crabs met the second place Crawfords in the 45+ division in the MABL of Southern Wisconsin. T’was a battle of Mikes on the mound, with the Crabs Wallace facing the Craws Starshak.  A fairly crisp game was played for the first 7, with the Sand Crabs jumping out to a 4-0 lead with one in the 2nd and 3 in the fifth while effectively hushing the Crawford attack like a grandmother giving her grandkids the stink-eye in church.

In the 8th, however, the Crawfords grabbed a couple runs off reliever Troy Galston when the Crabs weren’t looking, when Starshak and Glenn Griffin scored on a passed ball and the flurry that followed.  Reliever Rob Grether held the Crabs scoreless in their half of the 8th.  4-2 Crabs after 8.  In the top of the 9th, the Crawfords took advantage of a hit by pitch and a single by catcher Paul Meyer, and third baseman Jeff Knight. Eric Selje then reached on an error, and Shad Fanta on a fielders choice that did not result in an out.  Knight scored Jason Foskett’s courtesy runner on his single, and Meyer on Selje’s ROE.  No RBI, sorry mate.  Sean Micheal Dargan then had a Sac Fly to score Knight with the GAR.  (Go Ahead Run, for those of you scoring at home…..and if you are scoring at home, good for you!)

The clawed curmudgeons were not pleased.  But, rather than panic, they joined together in a show of crustacean strength and got their first two runners on base in the bottom of the 9th.  Dewey Walz was hit by a pitch, although it appeared to not hurt.  Randy Olivares had a solid AB, pulled out a pencil and drew a walk.  Then, it was up to the Bern.  Bernie Brewer/Albright.  We felt it, he felt it. Felt what?  The Bern! as he laced a single to the centerfield gap for a walk-off, scoring Walz and Olivares who trotted home with the tying and winning runs respectively.

Knight led the Crawfords with 2 hits, one of them a double, and Griffin added a double as well.

Tom Scalisi and Wallace led the Crabs with 3 singles each, and Albright, Galston, and Billy White Shoes Grahn had 2 hits for the Crabs. Grahn had a double, but no one noticed as they were blinded by the light from the shoes.  You could say they were wrapped up like a deuce, but I wouldn’t.

Wallace went 7 strong, allowing no runs while scattering 6 hits, walking 2, striking out 3 and plunking one.  Galston picked up the win in relief, going two innings, allowing 5 runs, 2 earned.  He gave 4 hits, walked none and hit one.

Both squads are back in action next week.  Season ticket holders will be treated to free cotton candy and rootbeer, at a location to be named later.