From Slump to Surge: Storm Shakes Off Two-Week Rust Just in Time for Final-Inning Fireworks

 Storm struggled early at the plate. And when we say early, we mean for the first six innings. In six innings Storm only went through the batting order twice and scored only two runs which both came off an unlikely two run homer from Jeff. Surge’s pitching and defense was spectacular through six and Storm was in trouble.

Thankfully, Storm also had great pitching and defense. Brad was doing his best Brooks Robinson impression at third base making a couple of really nice plays, including a third to first double play, and the outfield was a Bermuda triangle where most balls went to die. Rene was solid as the opener allowing four runs (but it should have been just one), and Jeff came in an only allowed two runs from the 3rd to the 6th innings. One defensive miscue while Rene was pitching, and one bad pitch from Jeff meant Storm was trailing 6-2 going into the 7th.

Storm finally had a power surge in the 7th. Whether it was shaking off the dust that had accumulated on their bats over a two week weather induced break, or they finally figured Mike out, but Storm stormed back sending 15 runners to the plate and scoring 9 runs off helped out by Duran’s two run homer.

It wasn’t quite over yet. Surge had a chance for a bottom of the 7th rally. They got two runners on and it looked like they were about to mount a comeback, but Storm slammed the door shut and managed to hold on to the 11-6 win. At the handshake the umpire congratulated them for their good inning.

Statisticians studied the standings after the game, and it is believed that Storm has now clinched 2nd place with 27 wins, although Storm would like to win out and get to 30. The Falcons have noted that Surge seems to be better than their record, and this game would tend to prove the point. As the standings currently sit, Storm and Surge would be set up for a rematch in the playoffs. Although there is room for change in the bottom of the standings, there is starting to be some separation and things are getting clearer. Four days of games remain and many meaningful games will be played for a lot of teams.

Game Highlights

• Offensive Power: Jeff and Duran each had a 2 run, home run,.
• Defensive Spotlight: Brad made 3 great plays at 3B including a double play
• On-Base Machine: Mills set the table perfectly at the top of the lineup, reaching base 3 times (2 hits, 1 walk) for a .750 OBP.
• Team Effort: The team wasn't firing on all pistons and combined for a .462 batting average with only 18 total hits (13 singles, 3 doubles, 2 home runs).

Game Line Score

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R
Storm	0	2	0	0	0	0	9	11
Sunbelt Surge	4	0	0	0	2	0	0	6

Perfect Storm: Total Team Effort Seals Statement Victory!

 

Joey Pilkey was channelling Shohei Ohtani in the first few innings of the game Wednesday night. He launched a three run home run in the first inning and kept the Isotopes off the board for the first three innings. Storm played some solid defense behind him and he got a strike out. The Isotopes were finally able to put a charge in a ball in the fourth as they scored three including a two-run blast. 

In the sixth Storm got a little bobbly in the infield. A ball bounced off Jeff’s glove to Lance who then tried to shovel the ball to Joey with his glove, but the glove got caught on the ball and it didn’t travel well. Joey was able to stretch Armstrong his way to the ball to record the out. Then, on the next play Joey used every part of his body to try to field the ball. When he eventually got hold of it, he threw it to first, but Brian wasn’t on first because he had assumed Joey would field it cleanly and go to second with it. It didn’t end up hurting Storm as they got out of the inning.

Storm held on to the win. Sam and Duran hit solo home runs. Duran showed Brad what his bat was capable of in the right hands. With the win, Storm held on to second place with four games remaining on the schedule.

Video of the Play at second Jeff was referring to.

Storm Top Performers

1. Joey (OPS: 2.417)

• The Damage: 1 HR | 3 RBI | 2 R | 1 BB
• The Impact: Undisputed game MVP. Left his mark with a towering HR, 1.667 SLG and co-led the squad in RBIs.

2. Duran (OPS: 1.750)

• The Damage: 1 HR | 3 RBI | 1 R | 1-for-4
• The Impact: Pure clean-up power. Cleared the bases with a massive home run. Had a 3-RBI day.

3. Sam (OPS: 1.750)

• The Damage: 1 HR | 1 RBI | 2 R | 1-for-4
• The Impact: Kept the power surge alive by launching the team's third home run and scoring twice.

4. Shawn (OPS: 1.750)

• The Damage: 3 H (1 2B) | 1 RBI | 2 R | 1 FC
• The Impact: Ultimate table-setter. Paced the entire roster with a team-high 3 hits to keep the line moving.

5. Lance (OPS: 1.417)

• The Damage: 2 H | 1 BB | 1 RBI | 1 R
• The Impact: Model of consistency. Reached base safely in 3 of his 4 plate appearances to lock down the 5th spot.

 Box Score: Isotopes vs. Storm

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R
Isotopes	0	0	0	3	2	0	0	5
Storm	3	3	3	0	2	3	X	14

Storm’s Early 6-Run Surge Fizzles Out Despite 24-Hit Barrage

Broadway put on a show against Storm on Wednesday night. They hit all the right notes finding the holes in Storm’s defense. The 3rd to 5th innings were particularly impressive as they scored four in the 3rd, mercied Storm in the 4th and added another six in the 5th to take a commanding lead. 

Storm started strong. After plating the max in the first and taking an early lead, Storm bats went quiet in the second and third as they laid eggs in both innings. Storm ran into trouble on the bases in the 4th. After delivering a two RBI single, Jeff rounded the base too far and got thrown out when Broadway threw behind him. Then Duran hit a double, rounded second too far and somehow managed to dance his way around the tag to get back to the base. After someone commented that two runners getting picked off in one inning would be atrocious, Duran thought there were two outs and ran on a fly ball only to get doubled off.

Storm’s base running issues continued in the 6th as Alex got hung up between third and home. He apparently crossed the commitment line before turning around and was called out. 

Storm finally managed to stop Broadway’s parade of hits in the 6th and 7th, but it was too little too late as Storm fell 19-10.

Notable Boxscores:

Jeff - 4 for 4 with a baserunning blunder

Duran - 3 for 4-  doubled trouble on his double then got doubled off

Alex - 1 for 3 with a special K and some commitment issues

Storm also clearly felt the hole created by Rene, Bob, and Tony, three big bats at the top of the order. The loss keeps the battle with the Falcons for 2nd very tight and means Hanet can also still catch the Storm. The coveted 2nd seed will depend on the final five games. 

Line Score 

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Final
Broadway	2	1	4	6	6	0	0	19
Storm	6	0	0	2	0	1	1	10