GBL Week 7 Power Rankings & Recap

Hours before Week 7 even started, there was plenty of rumors circulating around the league. One of the flagship GBL teams nearly disbanded and it became a Twitter circus. The Lightning's Andrew Felde could not find another teammate to participate in Week 7. After not being able to find a teammate, the Lightning disbanded for a few short hours before a trade saved their season and their future. The Lightning were able to acquire Andrew's brother, Cole Felde, from the Bird Gang but, it was too late for them in Week 7. The GBL had their third and fourth forfeits this season via the Lightning's debacle.

In other news, the 2015 GBL season has proved to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory. Only two of the league's teams are under .500 and, neither of those teams can be counted out of the playoff race just yet. The Bird Gang showed more promise after taking one game from the Stallionaires and were just one swing away from sweeping their foes. The Taka Drivers and Gashouse Gorillas had another back-and-forth nightcap that resulted in a split. The Nighttime Ninjas improved their record to 10-4 and remain in first place due to their wins via forfeit. With only three weeks left in the season, it is becoming hard to decipher which team will have the upper-hand going into the playoffs.

Week 7 Power Rankings

 6. Lightning 4-8 (#6 Last Week)

Two of the Lightning's wins and losses have come via forfeit. In games played this season the Lightning are 2-6. The only consistent threat this season has been Andrew Felde, who has the ability to play every week. Even after all hope was lost, he was named the new manager of the Lightning. If the Lightning intend on playing the rest of the games this season, they need to find players who want to be there week-to-week. 

5. Bird Gang 5-9 (#5 Last Week) 

After a slow start to the season, the Bird Gang have quietly found their way back into the playoff race. In their first seven games the Bird Gang were 1-6 and in the last seven games they are 4-3. Lucas Baker and Nick Trauscht were on fire this week combining for eight home runs and eleven runs batted in. With an improving Matt Zurawski, the Bird Gang have themselves in striking distance of the last playoff spot. 

4. Gashouse Gorillas 7-7 (#4 Last Week)

Even with their struggles this season, the Gashouse Gorillas still find themselves with a chance to defend their titles. This is not the same team the GBL has seen in the past few seasons but, they are still as dangerous. Jeremy Ratajczyk is literally crushing wiffle-balls, while Jim Tucker is pitching lights out. The GBL still has to consider the Gashouse Gorillas a major threat.

3. Taka Drivers 7-7 (#3 Last Week)

 The Taka Drivers have won a game every week this season. The trio of Buzea, Voges, and Bartley have the Taka Drivers in a good position for the team's first playoff appearance in their inaugural season. With the possibility of a return from Mark Miecznikowski, the Taka Drivers may be at full strength going into the final three weeks. 

2. Stallionaires 7-5 (#2 Last Week)

The Stallionaires have the leagues best pitching but, this week their hitting was the deciding factor. After dropping the first game to the Bird Gang, Matt Kuna and Nate Bryan flipped a switch. They combined for eight home runs and thirteen runs batted in. If the Stallionaires can find some support for their pitching for the rest of the season, they may find themselves back in another World Series. 

1. Nighttime Ninjas 10-4 (#1 Last Week)

Without even stepping on the Griffle Grounds this week, the Nighttime Ninjas were able to extend their hold on first place. Arvay, Krucek, and Kubacki have found a winning formula. They have a chance to be the first team to clinch a playoff spot in two weeks. If they do not clinch then, expect them to soon after. 

Week 7 Recap

Lightning v. Nighttime Ninjas Game 1 & 2 

Nighttime Ninjas win both games via forfeits from Lightning. 

Stallionaires v. Bird Gang Game 1 

GRIFFLE GROUNDS - With the Bird Gang in desperate need of a win, Nick Trauscht delivered. Trauscht smashed a walk-off  home run in the bottom of the fifth to avoid extra innings. After gaining an gaining an early 1-0 lead, the Stallionaires struck back in the top of the third with back-to-back home runs from Matt Kuna and Nate Bryan. The Bird Gang answered right back. In the first at-bat, in the bottom of the third, Lucas Baker, hit a solo home run to tie the game at 2. With Matt Kuna on the mound in relief, the Stallionaires were looking to slam the door on their opponent. The Stallionaires plan did not go quite as expected. In the first at-bat in the bottom of the fifth, Trauscht crushed a Kuna pitch into the grass in center. With momentum on their side, the Bird Gang had a chance to sweep the Stallionaires but, things don't quite always go as planned. 

FINAL Bird Gang 3 Stallionaires 2

Stallionaires v. Bird Gang Game 2

GRIFFLE GROUNDS - The Stallionaires needed their offense to awake from their season long slump. Losing the first game to the Bird Gang may have shut off the snooze button. The Stallionaires belted six home runs on their way to victory and they needed every last one. After hitting a walk-off in the Game 1, Nick Trauscht began right where he left off. Trauscht hit a three run home run in the first inning to give the Bird Gang an early 3-0 lead. The Stallionaires answered back with a pair of Matt Kuna home runs in the second. After holding the Bird Gang scoreless in the second, the Stallionaires went off on starter Lucas Baker. With the bases loaded in the third, tied at 3, Kuna hit a grand slam to give the Stallionaires a 7-3 lead. The Stallionaires hit back-to-back-to-back home runs to take a controlling 9-3 lead. Bird Gang cut the lead with another home run from Nick Trauscht in the third and, two home runs from Baker in the fourth. Heading into the fifth, the Stallionaires lead dissipated to only two. In the top of the fifth, Nate Bryan capitalized on a lead off double from Kuna with a two run home run. Heading into the bottom of the fifth the Stallionaires lead 11-7. The Bird Gang had a chance to tie the game with two on but, Baker eventually flew out to end the game. 

FINAL Stallionaires 11 Bird Gang 8

Gashouse Gorillas v. Taka Drivers Game 1

GRIFFLE GROUNDS - The Gashouse Gorillas received another wonderful performance from Jim Tucker improving to 7-1 on the season. He held the Taka Drivers scoreless in the three innings he pitched. After a Jeremy Ratajczyk home run in the first, Tucker helped himself by following with another home run to give the Gashouse Gorillas an early 2-0 lead. When Tucker exited the game, the Taka Drivers were able to take advantage. Chris Bartley hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth off reliever Jeremey Ratajczyk to cut the lead in half. The Taka Drivers nearly broke through against Ratajczyk. With the bases loaded in the fourth, Jackson Buzea had a chance to tie or take the lead. After a battle at the plate, Buzea eventually grounded out. In the bottom of the fourth, the Gashouse Gorillas were looking to add to their one run lead for some insurance. With one out and two on, Ratajczyk continued his hot-streak by smashing a three run home run off of Ryan Voges. The Gashouse Gorillas ended up needing that home run. The Taka Drivers scored one more in the fifth but, were not able to complete the comeback. 

FINAL Gashouse Gorillas 5 Taka Drivers 2

Gashouse Gorillas v. Taka Drivers Game 2

GRIFFLE GROUNDS - The Taka Drivers have won a game every week this season and nothing was going to change. The Taka Drivers pitching held the Gashouse Gorillas scoreless through four innings but, they did not leave quietly. After a scoreless first inning between both teams, the action got started with a Jackson Buzea solo home run in the second. Both teams went scoreless again in the third and, it did not seem like anything was going to change. The Taka Drivers, leading 1-0, Buzea hit his second home run of the game to double the lead. After two home runs by Buzea, Chris Bartley added another in the top of the fifth. Heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Taka Drivers lead 3-0 and, it seemed all but over. The Gashouse Gorillas had their rally-caps on and they began to put the pressure on the Taka Drivers. After a single by Ratajczyk and a double from Jim Tucker, Zach McIntyre singled in the Gorillas first run of the game. Ratajczyk added another RBI single to cut the deficit to one. With the bases loaded, McIntyre had a chance to win the game but, Buzea was able to strike him out for the last out of the game.

FINAL Taka Drivers 3 Gashouse Gorillas 2

Week 7 Players of the Week

Hitter of the Week - Matt Kuna - 14 Hits / 20 At-Bats 5 Home Runs 8 RBI 1 BB 0 K

Pitcher of the Week - Jim Tucker - 1 Win (7-1) 3.0 Innings Pitched 0 ER 1 Hit Allowed 5 K 3 BB

Rookie Hitter of the Week - Lucas Baker - 10 Hits / 20 At-Bats 4 Home Runs 4 RBI 0 BB 1 K  

Rookie Pitcher of the Week - Ryan Voges - 1 Win (4-3) 4.0 Innings Pitched 3 ER 5 Hits Allowed 6 K 1 BB

Standings

1. Nighttime Ninjas   10 - 4
2. Stallionaires           7 - 5
3. Taka Drivers         7 - 7 
4. Gashouse Gorillas 7 - 7
5. Bird Gang              5 - 9
6. Lightning               4 - 8  

Week 8 (July 12th)

(Starters Subject to Change)

3 PM - Taka Drivers (Buzea) v. Stallionaires (Bryan)

4 PM - Taka Drivers (Voges) v. Stallionaires (Konopasek)

5 PM - Gashouse Gorillas (Tucker) v. Lightning (A. Felde)

6 PM - Gashouse Gorillas (Galiher) v. Lightning (C. Felde)

7 PM - Bird Gang (Baker) v. Nighttime Ninjas (Kubacki Jr.)

8 PM - Bird Gang (Trauscht) v. Nighttime Ninjas (Arvay)

WIFFLE OUT!