Griffleball Week One Game Recaps

Ducks on the Pond (Siokis) @ Nighttime Ninjas (Arvay) Game 1

THE JANKE CAGE - It did not take long for the Nighttime Ninjas to pick up right where they left off in 2015. One of the league's top offenses from last season did not wait very long to start putting up runs on the board. After taking a 1-0 lead off a Mike Kubacki Jr double in the first, he followed it up in the same inning with a grand slam. Then, the reigning MVP, Ethan Arvay, tripled in a run to give the Ninjas a 6-0 advantage. The expansion franchise, the Ducks on the Pond, answered back in the second with two runs via bases loaded walks. Mark Nelleman scored his first career hit and RBI in the second. At one point it looked like the Ducks could tie it up with one swing but, Arvay found his control to exit the inning. Already up 6-2, the Ninjas added one more in the third (Kubacki Jr. RBI single) and four more in the third. Then, they capped off the game in the fourth with a walk off mercy rule home run by Arvay. All in all, the Ninjas dominated on offense and made sure the Ducks had no chance to make a comeback.  

FINAL - Nighttime Ninjas 12 Ducks on the Pond 2

W - Ethan Arvay (1-0)

L - Shawn Siokis (0-1)

Ducks on the Pond (Duvnjak) @ Nighttime Ninjas Game 2

THE JANKE CAGE - With one game in the books, the Ducks on the Pond needed an answer. They could not find one against starter Mike Kubacki Jr. He stifled many of the Ducks hitters with his good movement and unpredictability on the mound. He ended the game without allowing a hit in four innings but, the fun did not stop their for the Ninjas. In the first, Kubacki had a two run home run and a RBI single to give his squad a 3-0 advantage. Then in the second inning, Ethan Arvay hit a grand slam off starter Zack Duvnjak for a 7-0 lead. With Kubacki keeping the Ducks guessing it did not look like they would need any more runs but, the Ninjas just could not be stopped. They added two more in the third via a Derek Revis two run bomb. Then, Arvay ended the game (again) with a walk off mercy rule home run in the fourth. While the Ninjas started their season off with a literal bang, the Ducks just could not seem to find any rhythm. They may need to adjust their gameplan next week if they wish to contend. 

FINAL - Nighttime Ninjas 11 Ducks on the Pond 0

W - Mike Kubacki Jr. (1-0) 

L - Zack Duvnjak (0-1) 

Stallionaires (Reyna) @ Bird Gang (A. Felde)

THE JANKE CAGE - It seemed like the Stallionaires were on the brink of dropping their first game  of the season but, they were saved by the power of John Reyna. The Stallionaires struggle against Bird Gang starter, Andrew Felde, who looks like an all-star pitcher in the making. A. Felde struck out three and only allowed one hit in three innings. Then, he added a two run double in the second to give the Bird Gang a 2-0 lead. Going into the fifth, it looked like the Bird Gang had locked up their first game victory but Reyna had other plans. After a Matt Kuna single to lead off the fifth, Matt Zurawski watched Reyna put one over the net in left to tie the game at two.  Then Zurawski came back to pitch in extras and did not fare well against the Stallionaires lineup. Reyna started off extras with a solo shot to give his team a 3-2 lead. After a few walks by Aaron Ross, Kuna tripled in one and singled in another later in the inning. Entering the bottom of the sixth, the Stallionaires led 5-2 and they scored all five in the fifth and sixth. The Stallionaires late game heroics stole a game from the Bird Gang and started their season off in the right direction.

FINAL/6 - Stallionaires 5 Bird Gang 2
W - Matt Kuna (1-0)
L - Matt Zurawksi (0-1)
S - John Reyna (1)

Stallionaires (Reyna) @ Bird Gang (C. Felde)

THE JANKE CAGE - After a gut wrenching lost in the first game, the Bird Gang answered the call and split their series with the Stallionaires. Both starters, John Reyna and Cole Felde, did not allow a single hit until the third inning. That is when the game began to get more interesting. After a walk by rookie, Aaron Ross, Matt Kuna hit a two run homer to give the Stallionaires a 2-0 lead. It was the only inning the Stallionaires had where they had more then two batters. Then, in the bottom of the third, Andrew Felde smashed a two run bomb of his own to tie the score at two. With the score tied at two, Ross came in to pitch for his first GBL appearance. Bird Gang took advantage. Ross walked three and gave up one single, which gave Bird Gang a slim 3-2 lead. After Cole's good start, his brother Andrew came in relief to shut the door. Not only did he shut the door, he double locked and bolted it to seal the victory.

FINAL - Bird Gang 3 Stallionaires 2
W - Cole Felde (1-0)
L - Aaron Ross (0-1)
S - Andrew Felde (1)

Taka Drivers (Voges) @ Gashouse Gorillas (Tucker)

THE GRIFFLE GROUNDS - After watching the Gashouse Gorillas celebrate their fourth straight championship, the Taka Drivers decided to spoil the party. Mind you that this was also the team that eliminated them last year from the postseason. They wanted to make a statement and they did. Ryan Voges and Jim Tucker went pitch for pitch on the mound. Neither of them allowed a single run in the first three innings. Jeremy Ratajczyk entered the game in the fourth and the NWLA Closer of the Year struggled. With the bases loaded, Voges doubled in two to give the Taka Drivers a 2-0 lead. Voges also had a no-hitter going into the fourth but, Jeremy Ratajczyk singled and knocked him out of the game (for now). Jackson Buzea entered the game and did his job in the fourth. After a quick 1-2 from Ratajczyk in the fifth, the Gashouse Gorillas needed two to tie. Jim Tucker led off and battled with Buzea. Then, Tucker was able to smash a pitch that found its way on the other side of the fence. Down 2-1, Ratajczyk stepped to the plate. In Gashouse Gorilla style, Ratajczyk went back-to-back with his teammate to tie the game at two. After five, Taka and Gashouse bought a ticket for some more wiffle ball. Voges re-entered the game to pitch in the sixth and found himself in a bases loaded jam. Ratajczyk came to bat and Voges threw some of best stuff to find his way out of the sixth. After the sixth, Voges did not allow another hit. After a few scoreless innings from each team, Voges helped his squad with a solo home run in the top of the ninth. The Taka Drivers hung on to take game one from the champs. Mission accomplished. 

FINAL/9 - Taka Drivers 3 Gashouse Gorillas 2

W - Ryan Voges (1-0)

L - Jeremy Ratajczyk (0-1)

Taka Drivers (Miecznikowski) @ Gashouse Gorillas (Galiher)

GAME SUSPENDED IN THE TOP OF THE FIFTH
Taka Drivers have men on 1st and 2nd No Outs.
Gashouse Gorillas lead 6 - 4
TO BE CONTINUED...