May 16th
Brewers at Panthers
6:15, Sportsplex
The first "game of the week" turned out to be a pitching duel between the Panthers Rob Lay, and the Brewers Matt Beelen. Rob Lay dominated for 6 innings before needing help in the seventh from Steve Smith who got the save. Lay only gave up two hits through the first six innings, while scattering five walks. He was able to get some timely strikeouts(5) while he changed speeds throughout the game and kept the Brewers off balance. Matt Beelen did his best to match him, giving up just three runs, two earned while striking out 4 and walking 2. He only gave up 6 hits, but 3 were doubles, and a couple un-timely errors cost him.
The Panthers struck in the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th. In the second John Carbonnette and Jeff Dawson each hit doubles to score their first run. In the third, a botched pick-off attempt by Matt Beelen resulted in a runner at third with nobody out. Steve Tsonos then hit a ball to shortstop which the Brewers misplayed, and thus gave up a run. The Panthers insurance run, which turned out to be the winning run came in the 6th, with Jeff Dawson once again getting an RBI double off the left field wall, scoring Steve Tsonos.
The Brewers attempted a comeback in the seventh with Joe Beelen blooping a 2 RBI single to center with two out off of Steve Smith, but Smith then got Matt Beelen to fly out to right field where Hana made a nice catch to end the game.
This game definitely belonged to the pitchers and especially Lay.
PLAYER OF THE GAME : Rob Lay, Panthers.....6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5
SO.
(as voted on by me)