GBL Week 5 Recap & Power Rankings

We have now hit the mid-point of the GBL season and each game will become more crucial heading into the playoffs. While the players have been ready to hit the field each week, the weather has been uncooperative thus far. The rain, wind, and thunder all became an issue and nearly wiped out Week 5. Fortunately, the GBL was able to play four out of the six games scheduled this week. The only games that will have to be played at a later time were the games between the Lightning and Stallionaires. The 2015 season has been has been unpredictable and has made this season hard to forget. The defending champs find themselves in a tough spot and they have left the door open for a few teams to win their first championship. The Nighttime Ninjas, Stallionaires, and Taka Drivers seem ready to make the next step but, only time will tell.

Week 5 Power Rankings

6. Lightning 3-5 (#6 Last Week)

It has been a rough ride for the Lightning this season. Their only consistent threat has been Andrew Felde. On the mound this season, Felde, has a ERA of 2.22 but, his hitting and the teams has been below average. The Lightning have a team batting average of .179 with only ten RBI. If the Lightning continue this play, they will not see the playoffs. The only Lightning that have shown up this season has been produced by Mother Nature. They are 1-5 without the forfeits and need a big second half to even be considered a playoff team. 

5. Bird Gang 3-7 (#5 Last Week)

Ever since forfeiting their first two games of the season, the Bird Gang have went 3-5. A major reason the Bird Gang have played better has been the emergence of rookie Lucas Baker. Baker has a .455 batting average with two home runs and twelve RBI. Without his excellent play this season, the Bird Gang, may not be where they are now. Zack Duvnjak also made his second appearance of the season. He was phenomenal on the mound in the first game and shut the door on the Taka Drivers. If they can put together a consistent one-two punch, they may work their way back into the conversation. 

4. Gashouse Gorillas 5-5 (#3 Last Week)

The GBL has high standards for their three time defending champs. Every week they have a bulls-eye painted directly on their back. Teams know they have to bring their "A" game to beat the Gashouse Gorillas. So far this season, the Gashouse Gorillas are struggling to win games late. Their bullpen has been suspect, after a season which they had the reliever of the year. Jim Tucker is the only Gashouse Gorillas with an ERA under 2.00. Jeremy Ratajczyk and Ryan Galiher have ERA's over 4.00. Once their bullpen gets settled in, they might be as difficult to beat as they were last season.  

3. Taka Drivers 5-5 (#4 Last Week)

Half-way through the season and the Taka Drivers are beginning to make a name for themselves. They come ready to play each week, notching a win in every series this season. Ryan Voges, Jackson Buzea, and Chris Bartley are quickly becoming a dangerous team to face each week. They have a team ERA of 3.00 and a team batting average of .365. They are on pace to go 10-10, which would be good enough for a playoff spot but, they would tell you that they could be better. For their first year in the GBL, the Taka Drivers have grown confident in their abilities, making them a formidable foe every week. 

2. Stallionaires 5-3 (#1 Last Week)

The box score shows that the Stallionaire games were postponed but, you would never have known if they played or not. They have only allowed five runs all season. Reyna, Kuna, Bryan, and Konopasek have a combined ERA of 0.63. If you want to beat the Stallionaires, you have to play their type of game (low-scoring). They have struggled a bit at the plate but, do not expect them to continue their struggles. When the calendar changes and the weather begins to heat up, expect the Stallionaires to heat up as well.

1. Nighttime Ninjas 7-3 (#2 Last Week)

Without manager Mike Kubacki Jr., the Nighttime Ninjas needed big weeks from Sammy Krucek and Ethan Arvay. In a match-up for first place, the Nighttime Ninjas were unstoppable. Arvay continued his amazing season by belting six home runs and fifteen RBI. Krucek also added some power to the box score, hitting his first 2015 home run. The pitching for the Nighttime Ninjas also stifled the defending champs, only allowing five runs in two games. Through the half-way point of the season, expect the Nighttime Ninjas to be favored in every series. 

Week 5 Game Recaps

Lightning v. Stallionaires Game 1 - PPD. Game to played at a later date.

Lightning v. Stallionaires Game 2 - PPD. Game to played at a later date. 

Bird Gang v. Taka Drivers Game 1 - Through three innings, the Taka Drivers seemed to be in control. Jackson Buzea hit his first home run in the bottom of third inning. Bird Gang's Zack Duvnjak pitched three wonderful innings only allowing one run. He kept the them in the game until the Bird Gang offense awoke in the fourth scoring five runs off Chris Bartley. With a 5-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Taka Drivers needed a big comeback. Their efforts pulled them within one swing of tying the game but, Lucas Baker eventually found enough in the tank to slam the door. 

FINAL Bird Gang 5 Taka Drivers 2

Bird Gang v. Taka Drivers Game 2 - After dropping the first game, the Taka Drivers started the first inning off with a bang. Buzea and Voges each hit a home run and, Chris Bartley drove in three more to give the Taka Drivers a 7-0 lead. After two innings, the Taka Drivers were up 8-0. That was plenty of support for Ryan Voges who was on his way to winning his third game of the season. Baker and Duvnjak could not find the same swing they had in Game 1. The Bird Gang put together a small comeback in the fifth, down 8-0 but, it was not enough.

FINAL Bird Gang 2 Taka Drivers 8

Gashouse Gorillas v. Nighttime Ninjas Game 1 - With Jim Tucker on the mound for the Gashouse Gorillas and Mike Kubacki Jr. out, most would have given the edge to Gashouse. The Nighttime Ninjas had other plans. Ethan Arvay got the Ninjas started with his first of six home runs on the day. The Nighttime Ninjas took the lead early and never looked back. They scored five runs against each of the Gashouse pitchers. The Gashouse Gorillas also hit two home runs but, they only scored on those home runs. Down 10-1 in the fifth, the Gashouse Gorillas made things a bit uncomfortable for Sammy Krucek on the mound. Ultimately, it was not enough as the Nighttime Ninjas spanked the Gashouse Gorillas.

FINAL Gashouse Gorillas 3 Nighttime Ninjas 10

Gashouse Gorillas v. Nighttime Ninjas Game 2  - After losing the first game to the Nighttime Ninjas, Ryan Galiher got the Gashouse Gorillas on the board with a solo shot in the first. Their success was extremely short-lived as the Nighttime Ninjas scored eight runs in the next two innings. Arvay added three more home runs, while Sammy Krucek added another. Krucek also only allowed one run in three innings of work. Galiher hit another solo home run in the fourth but, it was a bit too late. The Nighttime Ninjas came to play under the lights and, the games were over so fast, Gashouse could not even guess what hit them. 

FINAL Gashouse Gorillas 2 Nighttime Ninjas 9

Week 5 Players of the Week

Hitter of the Week - Ethan Arvay - 11 Hits / 18 At-bats 6 Home Runs 15 RBI 2 BB

Pitcher of the Week - Ethan Arvay - 5 IP 1-0 4 Hits Allowed 2 Earned Runs 9 Strikeouts 0 BB

Rookie of the Week - Lucas Baker - (Hitting) 10 Hits / 19 At-Bats 1 Home Run 4 RBI 1BB (Pitching) 3 IP 0-0 1 Hit Allowed 1 Earned Run 2 Strikeouts 3 BB

Week 6 Slate

3 PM - Lightning @ Bird Gang Game 1

4 PM - Lightning @ Bird Gang Game 2

5 PM - Nighttime Ninjas @ Taka Drivers Game 1

6 PM - Nighttime Ninjas @ Taka Drivers Game 2

7 PM - Gashouse Gorillas @ Stallionaires Game 1

8 PM - Gashouse Gorillas @ Stallionaires Game 2

Wiffle Out!