South Oakland was swept by Cranberry, losing 10-8 and 11-5 in Cranberry today. The Ducks led game 1, 7-0 before allowing 10 straight runs. In game 2, Cranberry jumped out to an 8-1 lead, and held on for the win.
Most of the runs for both teams were due to walks.
South Oakland plays next on Wednesday night, 8:30pm at the Duck Pond, pending the city issuing us a permit.
Plan on playing unless you hear otherwise.
Projected starters:
Game1: Patton vs. Germani
Game 2: Mullen vs Stumpf
The top two regular-season teams from last year both flamed out early in the playoffs. Cranberry was the league’s darling, turning in its first .500+ season, and finishing first overall. In 2019, South Oakland finished with a ten-game winning streak, to pull within a half-game of the Crusaders. Both teams lost two straight playoff games. I hope Cranberry continues their regular-season success after this weekend.
Cranberry took the season series 2-0 over the Ducks last year, winning both games on the final at-bat, by one run. Maybe there was a third game. I don’t know. They always give us a hard time.
I’m looking forward to the condensed schedule and playing regular-season series against teams. It should benefit teams with depth. We always have good depth, so hopefully, I’m right.
This season is going to be different, but everyone is excited to get going. After facing the real likelihood of cancellation, it’s like playing with house money. It might take a few games to get back in shape, but I like our team this year. We’re under new management and have made some key additions. We are still around for our eighteenth season. We will put up some runs this year. We should contend for a title.
With the “ban” on dipping, look for more cigarettes around the dugout this year.
Bad News for Cranberry
It’s been quite an offseason. For a while it didn’t look like we’d play at all. We’ve been week-to-week since March on how we would get a shortened schedule completed. The shortened season will be interesting. Field availability is still an issue. Everyone is anxious to get outside and play ball. Bauerstown and D2 are taking the season off. Sheraden folded. West View is officially gone.
We have six teams in AA this year. Bandidos, Cranberry, Devils, Ducks, Eagles, Oilers. The temporary and permanent contraction will consolidate some talent. I think the Devils got a bunch of guys. They will be tough to beat.
We will have basically the same team we always have. If we get pitching, we will be solid. We made a few moves, adding a couple arms from Sheraden, a friend of NABA legend Craig Boley’s to the outfield rotation, the Mariners old manager, and a Devils cast off. We drafted some pitchers. I think Tom made great moves adding high character guys who can all pitch and play multiple positions.
We’ve had a hole at third base and the middle of the order since losing former MVP DJ Dover. But if there is a man who can embrace joining a veteran team, following a Ducks great like Dover, it’s Kenny Powers.
The South Oakland Ducks welcome the Pittsburgh NABA all-time home run leader and two time league champion, Kenny Rayl to the team. Longtime rival and Duck killer during the league’s Golden Age; teammate of some in the 28+ league and on various tournament teams; the former owner/operator and GM of the Brookline Black Sox will play third, and backup Pulice behind the plate.
This was always going to happen. We now have two players (Ben Gwin/Rayl) who have played in the league since its inaugural season in 2003.
I think we have improved in the off season. Tom’s managing. I’ll be out there leaning into pitches for another season. We return the core of a team that won 16 games last year.
Bad news for everyone.
Quack.
South Oakland Ducks Baseball 