The Bulldogs defeated the Expos by a score of 7-3.  Chris Gustaf went 3 for 3 including a homerun.  Mark Tyler drove in 2 runs as well.  Terry Halena picked up his first MSBL pitching victory in 30 years with 5 innings pitched and one run allowed.  Shawn Finnel pitched the last two innings to pick up the save.

It was a humid, soggy, overcast day on Sunday, August 13, when the Sand Crabs visited the Rangers in the regular season finale of the MABL of SoWi 45+ division.  The wet weather weighed wearily on the bats of both squads, but the pitchers had a field day. Randy Gaber straddled the white rectangle for the Crabs, and Jeff Kunkle for the Rangers.  Both pitched brilliantly, as did their relievers, Troy Galston and Jason Witt respectively.

Bill Nolan and Chris Witt had 2 hits for the Rangers, who also got a rare EMLL triple from Paul Yurkovich.  Duane Walz was the lone Crab with 2 hits, but Brian Buol had two RBI while reaching on 3 Ranger miscues.Chris McGill knocked in a couple as well, and Jim Pliner made a dazzling and dizzying catch of a popup to short left in the bottom of the ninth to help seal the 6-3 victory for the Crabbers.

Both teams are back in action next week, for the first round of the playoffs.  The Rangers secured the second seed and the Crabs the first seed.  The Rangers also announced that next week’s promotion is Gene Rice bobblehead day!  When reached for comment, Gene didn’t say much of anything, he just kept nodding……..