On a muggy Memorial Day night at Spring Hill field the South Oakland Ducks had reason to celebrate. Coming off a somewhat stagnant offensive performance against the Bulldogs last week the Ducks offense exploded to a 8 – 0 thrashing of the visiting Gray Bats including a two-run homer to centerfield from third baseman Jesse Smith and a 2-3 5RBI performance from catcher Chris Dowling. You might think the offense was reason enough to start setting off the fireworks display, but the offensive jolt paled in comparison to Adam Smith’s complete game 2 hit, 8 strikeout shutout. The win improves Smith’s record to 4-1 and drops his ERA to a team best 2.15.

After struggling to find the strike zone during most of the 2008 season sending him to the Duck’s bullpen with a meager 9.50 ERA and even thoughts of retirement, Adam Smith’s return to prominence has been a catalyst to the 8-3 Ducks record, the best start in South Oakland Duck’s baseball history.

To say the Duck’s wouldn’t be in second place in the Monongahela Division and leading the Pittsburgh NABA in wins without him would be an understatement. Smith’s performance has taken pressure and pitch load off of Duck’s fire-balling ace Nick Homa who was pretty much called on for every pressure situation during the 2008 season. And it’s not just Smith who’s pitching well, the Duck’s sport a team ERA of under 3.

Pitching keeps you in games, but you have to score runs to win and with the 2009 Ducks line-up scoring runs hasn’t been much of a problem. The free-agent signings of Chris Dowling and Tony Castle have paid dividends both offensively and defensively. Both sport batting averages well above .400 and are standouts in the field. Mix them in with veterans Ben Gwin, Jesse Smith, Andrew McCray, Chris Wojoton, and that’s a power-lineup that would have any team in the league (minus the Owlz) drooling.

Where the Ducks go from here is hard to tell. With the likes of the Findley Owlz and Brookline Blacksox competing in the same division for a title, it isn’t out of the question that the boys from South Oakland could end up as low as third in the division. On the same note with the talent, timely hitting, and resurgence of Duck’s pitching, a Pittsburgh NABA title is on their minds; and who are a bunch of youngsters from Findley and grizzled veteran’s from Brookline to deny South Oakland of what they deserve.

Pitching gem by Adam Smith, home run by Jesse Smith, and 5RBI night for Chris Dowling propel ducks to 8-0 shutout of Graybats. Game summary coming soon.

The (South Oakland) Ducks (of the North Side) (7-3) play the (lowly) Gray Bats (1-7) tonight at 9PM at Springview field in Spring Hill, PA. Most of us will call this day Memorial Day, but our friends on the Rebels may refer to it as Decoration Day. 

Fortunately, instead of playing the Rebels, the mighty Ducks face the Pittsburgh Gray Bats–who have had a disappointing start to say the least. The Gray Bats have only mustered one win in eight games, but are supposed to have the talent necessary to compete in the Monongahela Division. Of course, if the Bats were in the Allegheny Division, they might be the division leaders. Unfortunately for them, they found themselves competing in the division with the leagues top three teams in their inaugural season.  

All Ducks on deck tonight, as the Gray Bats are “guaranteeing” victory, a la former Steeler Anthony Smith. Skipper Jones presented the following bulletin board material provided by the Gray Bats just last week:

• Go Go Gray Bats writes, “Hey, we’re 1-7, not 1-8! And it’ll be 2-8 after the Gray Bats a’la orange some duck next Monday. That’ll be a Memorial day to remember, Im sure.”
• Sorosky chimes in with, “Paul Altmyer will throw zeros versus the Ducks. And the Rebels sent me a detailed pitching report of Homa. The Gray Bats will score more runs than the Ducks…. Gauranteed”

Not only are the Gray Bats struggling on the field, but it appears they have difficulty spelling as well. There may be additional trash talking by the Bats going on, but frankly I have no desire to waste my time searching for it. I need no further motivation, and I suspect none of the other Ducks do either. Tonight at Spring Hill the Ducks mean business. The last three hours of Memorial Day ought to be forgettable for the Gray Bats, but the Ducks must remain on the offensive as the Bats are surely better than their record indicates. 

Go Quack Pack. 

hey ducks,

Just a reminder to bring your second installment of umpire dues ($20) to the game tomorrow.

Be prepared to kick some Gray Bat.

• Go Go Gray Bats writes, “Hey, we’re 1-7, not 1-8! And it’ll be 2-8 after the Gray Bats a’la orange some duck next Monday. That’ll be a Memorial day to remember, Im sure.”
• Sorosky chimes in with, “Paul Altmyer will throw zeros versus the Ducks. And the Rebels sent me a detailed pitching report of Homa. The Gray Bats will score more runs than the Ducks…. Gauranteed”

Come on Gray Bats……I usually root for you guys, but the Ducks are gonna have to stomp on you this Memorial Day.

Poker night attended by several Ducks (and others) tonight.