On a blustery day in Waunakee, the Crawfords spotted the Rangers a 7 run lead through 3 innings but fought back scoring twice in the 8th as time expired to tie it up and won it in walk off fashion in the bottom of the 9th 9-8.

It was a tad windy on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the one and only Waunakee when the Sand Crabs beat the Orioles 17-2 at the High School JV field. This was a battle between 2 of the 4 best teams in the 45+ division of the MABL of Southern Wisconsin.

Windy, you say? Yes, very much so.  It was so windy, (How windy was it?) It was so windy, balls were blown into places they were not expected to go. Pitches were blown into and out of the strike zone, foul balls blew fair and fair balls blew foul.  It was gusty and blustery, but otherwise nice.

Anyhoo, Mike Wallace started on the hill for the Crabs.  Wallace went 6 strong innings, allowing only 3 knocks and no runs, earned or otherwise. Troy Galston relieved Wally for the 7th and 8th, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits.

The Crabs managed 20 hits off Steve Waugh and Ely Torres.  However, 17 of the Crabs hits had a sum total exit velocity of 34 MPH, and would have been easy pop outs if it weren’t for the gales of November, which came mighty, mighty early.  Intermixed in their blooper fest, Mike Kauffman drilled a 2 RBI single to deep right center, impressing most of his teammates.

The Orioles spread their 6 hits evenly amongst 6 players.  The Crabs were led by Tim McInernay and Kauffman with 3 a piece, and Jason Himebauch, Bill Grahn, Barry Davis and Dewey Walz each had two.  Davis also swiped 3 bags and he’s not giving them back, either.  Kauffman knocked in 4 runs as well, to earn offensive SPOG honors, while Wally grabbed the defensive SPOG with his mound mastery.  Greg O’Donnell upped his season average to 1.000 and impressed at least 30 potential groupies afterward.

Thirsts were quenched at Mr Brews Taphouse, and the only thing that could have made this day better would have been if someone found Teddy on their way home.

Both squads are in action again next week, the Orioles facing the Crawfords at noon, and the Crabs against the Rangers in the afternoon cap at 3.  Tickets still available for the Father’s Day festivities!