GBL Week 2 Recap & Power Rankings

Opening Day was filled with excitement and Week 2 ended the same way. Every team cam ready to play and the GBL had its first slate of full games this week. The Bird Gang and the Lightning, who did not participate last week, played their first games. The defending champions, Gashouse Gorillas, wrestled with the young up and coming, Taka Drivers. After a promising win against the champs, the Stallionaires, look to continue their run back to a GBL World Series. The Nighttime Ninjas attempted to get a sour taste out of their mouths from last week. After two weeks of games in the books, these are your Week 2 Power Rankings.

6. Bird Gang 0-4 (#6 Last Week)

After a no-show in Week 1, Bird Gang came to play in Week 2. Even with a few losses, the Bird Gang gave the Stallionaires a run for their money in Game 1. They only lost 3-0, but they did not generate any offense in both games. If they intend to make the playoffs, they must score. 

5. Lightning 2-2 (#5 Last Week)

With two easy forfeited wins last week, the Lightning were finally ready to play. The box score showed a different story. The Lightning only produced two hits in two games of work. Without Tommy Merkelis, the Lightning did not strike. 

4. Gashouse Gorillas 2-2 (#1 Last Week)

After dominating the last three seasons in the GBL, the Gorillas might be finally running out of gas. In two games this season, the Gashouse Gorillas have goose-eggs at the end of their box score. Reliver of the year in 2014, Jeremy Ratajczyk, already has two losses on the season. It is too early to worry, but there are cracks in the champion's armor. 

3. Taka Drivers 2-2 (#3 Last Week)

The Taka Drivers have had to open the season against both of the World Series teams from last season. They could be easily 0-4, but they showed promise by splitting both of their double-headers. Game 1 versus the Gashouse Gorillas was an example of the champs dominance, but Game 2 showed the resilience of the Taka Drivers. Ryan Voges smashed a walk-off home run to win Game 2 1-0. The Taka Drivers came to play in 2015. 

2. Nighttime Ninjas 3-1 (#4 Last Week) 

After getting shelled in their last game in Week 1, the Nighttime Ninjas rose from the darkness. They won both games matched with their opponent (Lightning). Mike Kubacki Jr. pitched 8.1 innings of no-hit wiffle-ball, and pitched a four inning no-hitter in Game 1. He was one out away from pitching two in one day. 

1. Stallionaires 3-1 (#2 Last Week)

After splitting last week's tough match-up with Gashouse, the Stallionaires came stampeding into Week 2. They allowed zero runs in both games against the Bird Gang. Their offense also improved, and they scored nine more runs then they did a week ago. The Stallionaires are making an early case for the favorites to go all the way. 

Week 2 Game Recaps

Nighttime Ninjas v. Lightning Game 1 - In the first two innings, the Nighttime Ninjas scored 4 runs in the top of the 1st and 4 in the top of the second. That was all the support Mike Kubacki Jr. needed. He only needed one run because he did not allow a hit in four innings of work. It was his first no-hitter since joining the GBL. Kubacki Jr. was masterful of the mound only allowing two base-runners by two walks. Ethan Arvay also helped Kubacki's crusade by going 5-8 with 9 RBI. Rookie Brandon Garcia had a rough first game for the Lightning, and so did his teammate Andrew Felde. In 8 at-bat's total, they could not muster a hit. The final of the game was Nighttime Ninjas 13, Lightning 0. 

Nighttime Ninjas v. Lightning Game 2 - The Lightning started Game 2 exactly how they finished Game 1, hit-less. Mike Kubacki Jr. held the Lightning without a hit for four more innings. The Lightning finally broke through in the 5th with a few hits, and also scored  run. It was not enough, because Ethan Arvay had 5 more RBI to add to his exceptional hitting performance. That proved to be enough offense for the Ninjas. The Lightning were stifled again and dropped another game. The final of the game was Nighttime Ninjas 7, Lightning 1.

Bird Gang v. Stallionaires Game 1 - After an impressive win last week, the Stallionaires looked to build momentum coming into Week 2. It proved harder then they thought. The Bird Gang challenged the Stallionaires in Game 1. Matt Kuna provided all the offense the Stallionaires needed by clobbering a two run home run in the 3rd. Rookie David Konopasek also added an insurance run in the 4th. Even though both teams only generated two hits a piece, the Stallionaires made them count with runners in scoring position. The final of the game was Bird Gang 0, Stallionaires 3. 

Bird Gang v. Stallionaires Game 2 - After a competitive Game 1, the Stallionaires showed their might in Game 2. Nate Bryan threw a no-hitter and had the Bird Gang guessing all game. Bryan also drove in 3 RBI. Also, Matt Kuna hit his third home run of the season, bringing his total to three of the season. He also drove in 5 RBI and went a perfect 4-4. The Stallionaires held the Bird Gang scoreless in two games, and only allowed a total of two hits. The final of the game was Bird Gang 0, Stallionaires 8.  

Gashouse Gorillas v. Taka Drivers Game 1 - The Taka Drivers wanted to prove to the GBL that they could hang with the big boys, but Game 1 belonged to the Gashouse Gorillas. Ryan Voges started and only pitched one inning, allowing five earned runs. Jeremy Ratajczyk hit his first and second home run of the season, while driving in 7 runs. Zach McIntyre also hit his first home run of the season. Every player on the Gashouse Gorillas drove in an RBI. Jim Tucker also pitched wonderful, he is now 2-0 on the season. The game ended in the 4th because of the mercy rule. Voges was the only Taka Driver with an RBI. The final of the game was Gashouse Gorillas 11, Taka Drivers 1. 

Gashouse Gorillas v. Taka Drivers Game 2 - After losing big in Game 1, the Taka Drivers wanted to avenge their worst loss of the season. The rain began to fall in Game 2, but it did not seem to bother Ryan Galiher or Mark Miecznikowski on the mound. Both pitchers did not allow a run in 3 innings of work. Gashouse had plenty of opportunities to score drawing four walks, but only had four hits. By the 5th inning, neither team had scored a run, and it looked like we were in store for another extra inning night-cap. With Ryan Voges up to bat in the bottom of the 5th, and one out, Voges had other things in mind. Jeremy Ratajczyk threw a high hanging slider, and Voges made him pay by rocketing a deep drive into the grass in center. Ryan Voges hit a walk-off home run to give the Taka Drivers their second win of the season. The final of the game was Gashouse Gorillas 0, Taka Drivers 1. 

Players of the Week

Hitter of the Week - Ethan Arvay - 8-17. 14 RBI. 8 BB. 3 HR. 

Co-Pitcher of the Week - Nate Bryan -  1 W. 5 IP. 0 ER. 0 H. 3 K. Threw a no-hitter.

Co-Pitcher of the Week - Mike Kubacki Jr. - 2 W. 8 IP. 1 ER. 1 H. 4 K. Threw a no-hitter. 

Rookie of the Week - Ryan Voges - 3-7. 2 RBI. 1 HR. Hit a walk-off home run. 

Week 3 Slate

3:00 PM - Stallionaires v. Taka Drivers Game 1

4:00 PM - Stallionaires v. Taka Drivers Game 2

5:00 PM - Lightning v. Gashouse Gorillas Game 1

6:00 PM - Lightning v. Gashouse Gorillas Game 2

7:00 PM - Nighttime Ninjas v. Bird Gang Game 1

8:00 PM - Nighttime Ninjas v. Bird Gang Game 2 

WIFFLE OUT!