The Redbirds (50+) kept the momentum rolling with a dominant doubleheader sweep over the Strangers on Saturday at Orangood Sports Complex, showcasing pitching precision, timely hitting, and basepath brilliance.
Game 1
It was a pitcher’s duel until the sixth inning when the Redbirds finally broke the 1-1 deadlock. Mikio Ichiba sparked the go-ahead rally by working a bases-loaded walk to bring in the lead run. Moments later, Rich Beller followed with a two-run single to make it 4-1. Beller was the offensive catalyst, collecting two RBIs and a hit in a game where hits were hard to come by. Meanwhile, Shawn Onley was outstanding on the hill, tossing a complete-game seven-inning gem. He allowed just one earned run on seven hits, striking out three and walking one while keeping the Strangers guessing with command and tempo.
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K. Fought (CF) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| R. Beller (2B) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Mahalik (SS) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| J. Gamez (1B) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| D. Wilkinson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| M. Tierney (RF) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A. Nowels (LF) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C. Cec (C) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| M. Ichiba (DH) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| L. Bedford (PH) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Totals | 22 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
2B: Tierney
SB: Bedford 3, Mahalik, Tierney, Fought
LOB: 7
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S. Onley (W) | 7.0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
W: Onley
P-S: 84-58
BF: 28
Game 2
The Redbirds carried that fire into Game 2 and wasted no time jumping on the Strangers again, coasting to a 10-0 run-rule win in five innings. John Mahalik got the scoring started in the first with a sacrifice fly, and the bats exploded in the fourth and fifth innings with nine more runs. Troy Key, Ichiba, Paul Maust, Beller, and Kevin Fought all contributed RBIs as the Redbirds pounced on every opportunity. Daron Wilkinson delivered a key two-run single, and Fought continued his consistent tear with a two-hit effort. On the mound, Scott Clawson was surgical, firing five scoreless innings of two-hit baseball with three strikeouts and no walks.
Across both games, the Redbirds were relentless on the basepaths, stealing 12 bases and putting constant pressure on the defense. They also played clean defense with zero errors over the doubleheader and turned two key double plays to help their pitchers out of trouble.
Player of the Day honors go to Rich Beller, who delivered in both games with clutch at-bats, finishing with three RBIs across the twin bill and playing a key role in sealing the opening game.
The Redbirds now shift their focus to a Saturday road showdown with the Dallas Spirits as they look to stay hot in pursuit of the league crown.
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K. Fought (CF) | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| R. Beller (2B) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Mahalik (SS) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Gamez (1B) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D. Wilkinson (3B) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| M. Tierney (RF) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A. Nowels (LF) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C. Cec (C) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| M. Ichiba (DH) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| P. Maust (PH) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 16 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
2B: None
TB: Tierney 2, Ichiba, Gamez, Wilkinson, Nowels, Fought 2
SB: Fought
LOB: 3
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S. Clawson (W) | 5.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
W: Clawson
P-S: 57-37
BF: 18
HBP: Clawson
