Week One: Summary of Series

Sass fall in heartbreaker
Slumps in hitting and pitching key to loss
By Beth Sass / hereforthesass.blogspot.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Here for the Sass lost a heartbreaker last week to the DrewHIO Dreadnoughts, with an 8-4 final score, wrapping up the week-long series between the two teams.

"We're disappointed in our loss, obviously," pitcher K. Lohse said. "I know I hurt the team a lot with my inability to get key pitches, so it's really my goal this week to turn this thing around, so we can take on our next team."

The pitching wasn't that poor, having more wins (1) than the Dreadnoughts, and a better ERA (4.53, versus 5.43 for the Dreadnoughts), and a better WHIP score (1.24, versus 1.43), gaining the Sass three of their four points. They fell behind in saves (1, versus 5 for the Dreadnoughts), holds (1 versus 2), and strike-outs (32 versus 38).

The Sass team didn't hit that poorly--their .316 batting average was much better than the Dreadnoughts .270--but it was their inability to hit for power and to hit in clutch situations that really drug the Sass team behind. They only scored 28 runs, to the Dreadnoughts' 38, and had only 23 RBIs, to the Dreadnoughts 39. The Dreadnoughts out-hit the Sass with 10 home runs to the Sass' 4. Stolen bases were much closer, with the Sass tallying 1, and the Dreadnoughts getting three. Walks were a close race to the end, with the Dreadnoughts pulling one ahead of the Sass to take 21 walks to the 20 taken by Sass team members.

"It was so close," J. Encarnacion told the press. "If only I could've forced one more walk, we could've ended the week with a 7-4-1 record, which would be much better. Or if I had stolen a couple of bases."

Sass outfielder A. Dunn lead the team in runs (6), RBIs (5), and walks (4). He and shortstop C. Guillen both had 2 home runs, to lead the team. Outfielders J. Dye and R. Johnson led the team in stolen bases (1) and R. Johnson led the team in batting average (.600).

Looking at pitching, R. Johnson lead the starters in wins (1), strike-outs (11), and WHIP (.80). Starter T. Ohka lead the starters in ERA (1.29). Among the relievers, J. Duchshcherererer lead with 6 strike-outs. Both Duchschererererer and B. Looper had ERAs of 0.00, and Looper's WHIP was lowest at .5. A. Burgos had the only save for the team, and J. Mateo had the only hold.

"It was a very long week," Duchscherererer said. "I've entered all of the stats into my newest program to work on figuring out how to pitch to all the guys, so that when we come up against them in the future, we'll know what to do."

There was great optimism in the clubhouse, despite the loss.

"This week is done. We lost, but we weren't crushed or shut-out. We have great pitching and great hitting. We just need to shake the rust off and we'll be ready to head out there and win," C. Silva said, with great enthusiasm.

Owners Beth and Dawn are unconcerned about the loss in the first week.

"We faced a pretty tough team," said Dawn. "They were good at playing, but I really doubt they have as much fun as we do in the clubhouse." She was interrupted to chase down A. Pierzynski, who had taken the opportunity to steal Dawn's shoes from her locker.

"All things considering, I think our boys did very well. Neither Dawn nor I have ever managed a team before, and we're having fun with this one. We drafted these guys based on hopes and expectations, with a touch of sentiment and optimism thrown in. Okay, a lot of sentiment and optimism. They're doing great, and I see positive signs from this first week of play," Beth said.