This year started pretty rough, we won only two of our first six games. Now we could have packed our bags, folded the tents and looked forward to the tournament, but we kept our focus and fought our way back. After Christmas we had a match up with a very good Elliston Zion team. As a team we struggled, but after a 14 inning 3rd game, and a 7 homerun night by Chuck Bryant, we left Elliston with 3 wins and a run for the top of the league. As the weeks went on we inched closer to the top. Our next to last game was with Elliston Trinity, the first place team in our league. After 3 highly contested games, we left Ellison with 2 wins and in a tie for first place.
In the last week of the season we hosted Genoa UCC. We were able to win 2 games, but Elliston trinity won all three that night to claim sole possession of 1st place and Rocky Ridge would get the 2nd place trophy.
We had a tough tournament draw. We played Williston St. John in the first round. They were the team that had won the tournament last year. In the first game we found ourselves down 2 to 0 in the top of the 6th inning. Bill B was our lead off hitter and got the ball rolling for us with a single. Kevin M tied the game with a Home Run. I followed with a double and Josh W doubled me in to put us up 3 to 2. In the 7th inning Austin Schimming started us off with a Home Run, Bill B followed with another single, and Chuck B hit a triple to bring our lead to 5 to 2. That was enough for a Rocky Ridge win in game 1.
In game 2, Home Runs by Justin W and Chuck B were not enough as we lost 7 to 3. Game 3 started slowly for both teams as we were each scoreless until the top of the 8th. Bill B got a single, followed by a huge Home Run by Scott Schimming. Brian W and Adam S would also hit Home Runs to lock up a 4 to 1 win. For this tournament setup, we had to turn right around and play Elmore St. Paul Methodist. Bill B led off the game with a double and Scott followed with a double as did Dick F to give us an early 2-0 lead. Scott and I hit back to back doubles in the 8th to secure a 3-1 win in game 1. In game 2, despite a double and a Home Run by Josh in addition to my own 3 doubles, we lost 6-2 going into the 3rd game. Bill singled to start the game and Brian hit a triple for a 1 to 0 lead. In the 2nd Josh added a Home Run. Elmore would tie the game in the 7th. We started our half of the 9th with 2 quick outs. With the game on the line, Adam S stepped up and hit a Home Run, Josh added another Home Run to clinch a game 3 victory and a trip to the semifinals against Mt. Carmel. In game 1 they jumped out to a 2-0 lead. We cut that lead in half when Kevin singled and I tripled him in. The most damage was done in the next inning when Josh doubled, Dick doubled, Doug Opfer tripled, and Kevin singled to take a 4-3 lead that would hold up for a 1st game win. Mt Carmel scored 2 quick runs to start the 2nd game. That lead was short lived as we scored 5 runs in the 1st, 1 in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th… plus 2 in the 5th to take a 10-4 win. Bill and Kevin each had 3 hits in 5 at bats. Chuck and I each had 3 hits in four at bats to carry our team to the championship game against our old nemesis… Elmore Trinity.
In the first game, we fill behind early. After Home Runs by Brian and Chuck, we still trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the 9th. Kevin led off with a double and Scott followed with another game winning Home Run. In tame two, despite out hitting Elmore 12 to 10, we lost 7 to 5 to force a game 3.
As he has done so often before, Bill lead off with a single and I followed with a triple to take an early 1-0 lead. We took the wind out of their sails in the 6th inning when again Bill singled and I tripled, then Brian singled and Chuck tripled to secure a 4-0 Rocky Ridge Championship win.
As I look over the tournament and this season, I see many heroes for our team. Bill B had with his team leading .420 batting average. Chuck B scored 21 Home Runs and 35 RBI’s. Scott and Adams game winning hits… But our real hero is Jesus; who through him we are able to make friends and enjoy the fellowship of our area churches. Members of our team include Bill Brackett, Chuck Bryant, Brian, Josh and Justin Warnke, Scott Shimming, Doug Opfer, Bill Kretz, and Butch Sprague. Our team thanks you for the opportunity to represent St. John Rocky Ridge in our Dartball League.