Los Angeles Baseball League

Trojans pull away late, set up 'Rubber' match with Cardinals

Yes...I've been waiting several seasons to use that pun, I finally got a chance to 'work it in'!

First off, this playoff win is the first playoff win for the Trojans in their brief LABL history. We previously lost our first two playoff games, one in Summer 2018 and the other in the Winter 2017 season, it feels good to finally win a post season game.

Second, of utmost importance, hats off as always to all of the Condors who finished the game (plus Mr. L who had to leave early) you guys who I mentioned are always classy and are a good group of guys. We will see those of you (Condor regulars) who are playing with the Condors next summer, enjoy some well earned rest, it's been a grind this year. You guys have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

On to the game, this game was tight throughout, it was an 8-6 game heading to the top of the 8th. The Trojans put up 2 runs in the 8th and 5 more in the 9th which may have made the final score look like it wasn't a close game but it was a really good game, tense, well played and hard fought throughout!

Jess Larson, what can I say, CG, held the solid Condor bats to 6 runs (3 earned) and he had 4 hits, scored 3 runs and had 3 RBI of his own at the dish. It was solid game all around for Mr. Larson, if there was ever a guy who earned 2 game balls, one for hitting and one for pitching, it was Sho Nuff!

CHiPs paced the Trojan attack with 4 hits and he scored 4 times, Todd Bridges' brother (TBB) also had 4 hits, and 3 RBI as the top 3 hitters in the Trojan lineup (Herren / Larson / Bridges) combined for 12 hits, 7 RBI's and scored 7 runs.

It's takes more than 3 guys doing damage to beat the Condors though and up and down the lineup the Trojans bats were hot. Gary Sunda had 2 hits, David Hance had 3 hits and scored twice, Alex Luppi had two hits of his own and also scored twice. Big Al did pull a hammy late in the game so here's to hoping you will be able to roll with us next Sunday!

Tony Cangas had 3 hits including a huge 2 out 2 RBI double in the 9th inning that made the score 12-6 and gave the Trojans some much needed breathing room, clutch, additionally TC played a mean 3rd base all game long. Felt complained all game long, yeah, I know, I should have stolen that base in the 5th, sorry sir...lol...he was solid behind the plate and had 2 hits and 2 RBI. Arbolida and Severson each had a hit, scored a run and played solid D in RF and at short respectively.

Shout out to Sunda who made several nice plays in the field, saved a few errors for guys and made a gumby like effort on a looping fly ball over his shoulder to steal a hit away from the Condors and support Larson early in the game.

Jess was solid on the mound, the defense was solid aside from the 5th inning when we opened the inning by allowing the first 3 Condors to reach via 2 errors and a botched bunt play. Other than that the 'D' was solid in support of Jess and the bats got hot late to put the game away. It is going to take as good an effort to beat the mighty Cardinal winter league team come next Sunday.

The Condors were lead by Eric Rice who hit a 2 run bomb in the 4th inning, he was 2-4 on the day with those 2 RBI and we did send Sunda to retrieve your home run ball after the game. He has it so we'll hand it over to you when we see you again, it was a legit shot over the LF fence, a no doubter!

Date: December 9, 2018     Time: 12:30pm      Venue: Glendale Sports Complex