Cubs comeback and walkoff!

The Cubs and Sidewinders played an opening day classic to start the 25 + National Season.

Sherman Oaks jumped out fast with a run in the 1st and 3 runs on 3 straight hits and an E in the 2nd to take a 4-1 lead. Then Cubs pitching settled down to allow only 3 hits after the 2nd inning and give the bats a chance to wake up. The comeback started with a 2 run BOMB in the 3rd by Stephen Birkett (2-3,HR,3rbi,bb). 4 dominant Sidewinders pitchers also found a groove after the homer (including 6 Ks in 7 batters). The Sherman Oaks staff would allow only 3 hits the rest of the way after the 3rd inn'. 1 of those hits was a huge opposite field solo JACK by David Merrill (1-3,HR) to tie the game in the bottom of the 7th. With the score knotted @ 4-4, Cubs starter Mike Maganza (7.1 inn,4r) gave way to closer Brian "Drop-the" Hammer (W,1-0,1.2inn,0r,3Ks). Hammer shut the door, working out of a 2 on, 1 out jam to end the 8th and struck out 2 in the top 9th for the win.

To start the Bot' 9th, Jake Alba hit a grounder in the hole (2-4,2 2b,2r) and hustled down the line to force an error. He moved to 2nd on a wild pitch and stole 3rd following a Birkett intentional walk and a fly out. With 1 out and a runner on 1st and the winning run on 3rd this dramatic game would end. Catcher Dave Martinez was able to just beat out what may have been a 5-4-3 inning ending double play grounder. With Birkett "stealing" on the pitch, he got to 2nd just in time to slow the "turn" with a clean slide. It gave Martinez just enough time to beat the throw by a half step while Alba crossed the plate, scoring the winning run and sending the Culver faithful home happy.

It was a great game and a fitting way for 2 very good teams to start the season.

BOX SCORE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Sherman Oaks Sidewinders 130000000 4 8 2
Culver City Cubs 102000101 5 7 2

Date: March 14, 2010     Time: 10:00am      Venue: Culver City HS   

Sherman Oaks Sidewinders
Hitters AB R H RBI BB K
Jimmy Davidson 4 0 1 0 0 1
Tim Hubbard 2 0 0 0 2 0
Andy Macfarlane 3 1 0 0 1 2
Brian Schaefer 4 0 1 1 0 0
Denny Sharp 3 0 2 0 0 0
Cole Summers 2 0 0 0 1 0
Scott Bailey 3 1 1 0 0 0
Brandon Cornell 3 1 2 1 0 0
Mike Sharp 3 1 2 1 0 0
Chris Spieth 1 0 0 0 2 0
Josh Summers 3 0 1 1 0 1
Reid Warner 2 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 33 4 10 4 6 4
2B: Bailey, Cornell
SB: Macfarlane
SF: Warner
Culver City Cubs
Hitters AB R H RBI BB K
Jaime Miranda 3 1 0 0 1 0
Jake Alba 4 2 2 0 0 0
Stephen Birkett 3 1 2 3 1 0
Steve Benson 4 0 1 0 0 0
David Martinez 4 0 0 1 0 2
David Merrill 3 1 1 1 0 1
Danny Koblin 3 0 0 0 0 0
Al Espinosa 1 0 0 0 2 0
Jason Sarcinelli 3 0 0 0 0 1
Michael Maganza 3 0 1 0 0 1
Kirk Mayer 3 0 0 0 0 2
Jon Moss 1 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 35 5 7 5 4 7
2B: Alba (2)
HR: Birkett, Merrill
SB: Alba, Espinosa

Sherman Oaks Sidewinders
Pitchers IP H R ER BB K PT
Josh Summers 3.0 3 3 3 2 1 0
Mike Sharp 2.0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Scott Bailey 2.1 2 1 1 1 0 0
Chris Spieth (L) 2.0 2 1 0 1 0 0
Culver City Cubs
Pitchers IP H R ER BB K PT
Michael Maganza 7.1 8 4 3 3 2 0
Brian Hammer (W) 1.2 0 0 0 1 3 0

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