Holy Cow!

Wow! I’ve seen some pretty good games at the Yard, but never one like we finished last night. After the Miners broke a 10-10 tie scoring 5 runs in the top of the 10th inning, the stands began to clear of fans. The few left behind started to to leave in the bottom half of the inning when the first two Railroaders were put down.

Then Salata comes to the plate and hits a solo homerun to give remaining couple of fans something to smile about. But is didn’t stop there. Three singles followed producing another RBI. Then a batter was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  The ninth place hitter Hauswald was next at the plate (at that point he was 1 for 4 with a single, groundout RBI and 2 Ks). Down in the count one ball and 2 strikes and near the end of a four and half hour game, the scant groups of fans just wanted it over.

Hauswald had a different idea though he smashes a pitch over the right field Little Monster to blow everyone away. Shock and awe overwhelmed the fans in the stands and cleared the Railroaders’ dugout. People were almost left speechless, but there was plenty of shouting and jumping for joy. Surely it must have matched the excitement the Miners and their Fans had experienced the night before in Madisionville.

I would be remise if didn’t mention what a the great night at the plate for Zell Walker. Three homeruns that produced 8 RBI, half of the total Fulton score. All the players hung in until the end, and it paid off Big Time.

Thank you Railroaders, for a memory to last the ages!

Now, on to Hoptown and the undefeated Hoppers tonight. Back home in Fulton on Sunday with the Hoppers again. Let’s see some more magic!

Opening Night at Home

The grandslam by Miners’ Ryan Brooks was the only thing that kept the Railroaders from getting an opening season win in last night’s game. Other than that the Railroaders looked pretty good out hitting the Miners 12-7, although Fulton did strand 10 runners and Madisonville only left 2 on base. It was the Miners’ long ball that saved their day, 2 homers in all. We’ll see what happens tonight at the Yard!

In other action last night, the Bombers came back late to edge past the upstart Flash by one run. The Oilers cruised by the Stallions to win 7-3, and the Hoppers (!*?#-!) plastered the Chiefs with a 14-3 score. It looks to be an interesting season in the OVL.

The Miners come to the Yard tonight in Fulton. One game each under the belt for every teams. The standings aren’t even worth looking at this early in the season. It will be the Railroaders turn to even the score at home. Friday night at the park, doesn’t get much better than that. We’ll be there, and online with TeamLine and blogging (as needed). 7:05 first pitch, we should online about 6:55. Let’s play ball!

Getting it Fired Up for the 2017 Season

The long wait for Railroader baseball is about over, as the new batch of players prepare to begin the season on the road in Madisonville. The 5th place standing for the 2016 season ensured Fulton would have to travel for game one. The Railroaders have never played their first season game away from Fulton, although in 2013 & 14 they were scheduled to play at Dubois County but were rained out before the games began. A road win to begin the season would be a nice start! Friday, in Fulton, the Railroaders will play the Miners again.

The OVL has expanded again adding their 8th team, the Henderson Flash, and now organized into 2 divisions, East and West. Should make for interesting post-season play when the time comes. New OVL website also, looking forward to enjoying that as well. New head OVL scorekeeper and webmaster, which I proudly congratulate!

The crew this year looks good, and the coaching staff lead by Drew Martinez appears excited to get the Railroaders back on track after a lackluster 2016 season. Expectations are high in the Twin Cities area for a great summer of baseball. All is ready at the Yard and there are improvements on the field to boot. It all starts this Friday night at 7:00 pm with Opening Night at Fulton against the Miners. I’ll be there along with Boilerstoker to get things going. Come on out or listen/watch online with Railroaders TeamLine.