Crystal Lake Daily – by Ed Harris

Palm Springs and Crystal Lake scores and stories are written-up after each game and found here.

POST SEASON Play: The 2009 SL Division Series matches the wildcard Palm Spring Codgers and our hometown Sandgnats for the third year in a row.  Crystal Lake has the home field advantage.

Expectations are very high.  The Gnats won 112 games on the season, their second year in a row with 100+ wins.  They remain without a Rodriguez Cup title, having lost the 2008 championship series to New Orleans last year.  Manager Wayne Kedsch has tried to calm everyone.  “Let’s take them one game at time shall we?  Don’t hex this thing.”

Summary – Games 1 & 2
Palm Spring Codgers vs. Crystal Lake Sandgnats – Crystal Lake up in the series, 2-0

Game summaries

Game 1 – Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Gnat Field in Crystal Lake Illinois

WP Anderson (1-0) LP Lara (0-1) SV: Chacón (1)
In the series opener, Crystal Lake wins 5-4, scoring two in the seventh to tie the game and another run in the 8^th to take the lead for good.  Sloppy fielding in the 5^th allowed the Codgers to score three of their runs.  After a walk and a single, an error allowed 2 runs to score.  A double scored yet another run.  Anderson managed to get back in control.  He was able to pitch out of the jam, leaving two Codgers stranded on the base paths.  After the Codgers big 5^th inning, the Gnats kept chipping away at the lead, eventually scoring the lead run in the bottom of the eighth.  Chacón came in to save it, holding the Codgers scoreless in the ninth.  The Gnats were off to 1-0 lead to start the series.

Game 2 – Sunday, October 4^th, 2009 at Gnat Field in Crystal Lake Illinois

WP Pacheco  LP Butler (0-1) SV: Chacón (2)
Behind another well-pitched game, Pacheco gives CL a 2-0 series lead.  A two-run first inning started the game off right and got the fans all charged up.  Pacheco was strong through 8.  The Codgers did manage to tie the game in the 8^th inning but it was short-lived.  The Gnats came back in the bottom of the frame to score a run of their own and take back the lead.  Chacón closed out the 9^th, collecting his 2^nd save in as many days.  Although there were 21 hits in the game it was a relatively low scoring affair, with both teams managing to escape from rallies.  Crystal Lake leads the series 2-0.

Crystal Lake is off to a great start!  They had a very good home series, winning the first two games in front of a packed stadium.  Radio and TV personalities led a rally in the Baseball Village (the mall outside the park) after Sunday night’s game.  Play will now move to Palm Springs, where the Gnats hope to clinch the Division Series and advance to the next level of play.

Summary – Games 3 & 4

Crystal Lake Sandgnats vs. Palm Spring Codgers Crystal Lake wins the series 3-1

Game Summaries

Game 3 – Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at PS Elderberry Field in Palm Springs California

WP Oike (1-0) LP Cruz (0-1) SV: Santos (1).
It was a real nail-biter and a beautiful pitching performance by both starting pitchers.  Oike and Cruz dueled into the 9^th, stranding runners in several innings but not allowing either team to score.  It was a pitching duel in the classical sense.  There were only 10 hits in the game, and the Codgers’ Michael Smith’s short-porch home run in the second was the only scoring.  On a 3-2 count, Smith got hold of something he could handle.  It was not hit very deep (it would have been caught in most parks), but it was just long enough and high enough to clear the right field fence.  It traveled just a bit over 322 ft.  Cruz was otherwise brilliant, scattering 4 hits while striking out 7 and walking 2.  He was able to go the distance.  The Gnats had a chance to tie the game in the 9^th.  Oike was relieved by Santos after Frazier opened the inning with a sharp single to right.  Santos struck out Thomas, but López then doubled down the line, setting up a second and third situation with only one out.  Santos got Nakumura to chase a pitch high and away, which he lifted into short right but not far enough for Frazier to score.  Pace then popped up on the first pitch to end the game. The Codgers get a game back and their first win of the post season.  The Gnats lead the series 2-1.

Game 4 – Wednesday, October 7^th, 2009 at PS Elderberry Field Palm Springs California

WP Stewart (1-0) LP Gilbert (0-1) SV: Ortíz (1)
Michael Smith helps the Codgers to score early.  His second inning double sets up a second and third situation.  Both runners would later score.  Crystal Lake tied the game in the 4^th.  Pace’s line drive double and Morse’s sacrifice fly evens the game at 2 all.  Palm Springs came back in the bottom of the inning to again take the lead.  Michael Smith – a constant thorn – singled, stole second and scored.  Both teams scored in the 6^th but the Codgers remained in the lead. The Gnats would break it open in the 7^th.  Clark singled and was sacrificed to 2^nd.  He stole 3^rd. Thomas walked and then López lined a single scoring Clark.  Nakamura then singled, sending Gilbert to the showers.  Butler relieved but did not fare any better.  Pace reached on an error, allowing another run to score.  Morse singled, scoring Nakamura and Pace for the 5^th and final run of the inning.  Ortíz came in to close the Crystal Lake ninth.  He walked van Tiggelen and Lloyd, but Ibarra bounced into a double play and Morris flew out to end the game.  Crystal Lake wins the series 3 games to 1.

After the game, fans were invited to join a party in the Baseball Village outside the park.  Fireworks helped celebrate the victory.  Local bands were on hand to entertain the crowd which had gathered in the Village Center.  Owner Dean Giesey gave a short speech in which he thanked Crystal Lake for its support.  Nelson Anderson, Merlin Peters and hometown prospect Trent Roberts were also on hand to talk and answer questions.  The celebration lasted until the early morning hours.