Monday, May 23 — Game 1: No. 7 2005-06 (2) defeats No. 10 2009-10 (0)

Game 1: 2005-06 79, 2009-10 75

Dan Oppland and Ron Howard each tallied 17 points while Mohammed Kone had a solid game of nine points, seven rebounds, four blocks and three assists. Cory Johnson led the way for the 2009-10 squad with 20 points while Brandon Wood had 14 points. The 2005-06 squad led for much of the second half before the 2009-10 team battled back to a two-point game with 4:31 remaining. Junior Jimmie Miles and freshman Urule Igbavboa rattled off a 9-2 run that helped ice the game and the 2005-06 team make free throws down the stretch.

Game 2: 2005-06 82, 2009-10 73

Senior Dan Oppland led the 2005-06 team to a series victory with 26 points and seven rebounds while junior Jimmie Miles added 16 points. Poor 3-point shooting doomed the 2009-10 squad, as the No. 10 seed only went 4-of-2o from beyond the arc. Junior Cory Johnson had 24 points, but junior Brandon Wood and freshman Ryan Broekhoff combined for just 2-of-10 from 3-point.

Up Next: The 2005-06 squad advances to play No. 2 seed 2010-11. The interesting storyline here is that there is seemingly not much difference between the 2009-10 Crusaders and the 2010-11 version in terms of roster makeup. Kevin Van Wijk and Jay Harris are the only additions and Brandon McPherson is the only notable subtraction. Will Van Wijk and Harris be enough to help the No. 2 seed advance? Wood and Broekhoff will have to shoot better with a year of experience under their belts in order to get past the 2005-06 Crusaders. Dan Oppland has already proven he can score against a younger Cory Johnson, what will happen now that Johnson has aged a year. That game comes on Friday.

As for Wednesday’s contest, we get the widest range in of teams in terms of a first round matchup. The sophomore versions of Lubos Barton and Milo Stovall, not to mention a very young Raitis Grafs will take on a 2006-07 squad that has Shawn Huff and Jarryd Loyd coming into their own along with Brandon McPherson, Jake Diebler and Urule Igbavboa. I’ve got to think the 1999-2000 team should win in two games with ease.

Wednesday, May 25 — Game 2: No. 8 1999-2000 vs. No. 9 2006-07

Friday, May 27 — Game 3: No. 2 2010-11 vs. No. 7 2005-06

Monday, May 30 — Game 4: No. 1 2001-02 vs. Game 2 winner

Wednesday, June 1 — Game 5: No. 4 2002-03 vs. No. 5 2007-08

Friday, June 3 — Game 6: No. 3 2000-01 vs. No. 6 2003-04

Monday, June 6 — Game 7: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner

Wednesday, June 8 — Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 6 winner

Friday, June 10 — Game 9: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner

Also, the ‘Cats will start Brian Kolb at short in lieu of Kyle Haines, who is sitting for a one-game suspension for a fighting incident yesterday with Nic Jackson. The video tape of Saturday’s game was sent to the American Association for determination of any suspensions from the fourth-inning fight. The RedHawks have opted to DH relief pitcher Adam Tollefson in lieu of putting the pitcher in the batting order. The fight also took out RailCats second baseman Brad Boyer, who strained a shoulder breaking up the fight. Boyer could be out for as many as two days.

The new lineup is coming as the ‘Cats have had to make changes to replace Boyer.

RedHawks (3-6)
RF Mike Coles
SS Zach Penprase
CF Jason James
1B Jim Fasano
2B Carlo Cota
C Phil Britton
LF Kole Zimmerman
3B Brian Ruggiano
DH Adam Tollefson

LHP Scott Fogelson

RailCats (4-5)
LF Adam Klein
CF Mike Massaro
3B Jeff Beachum
DH Cristian Guerrero
RF Toddric Johnson
1B Mike Rohde
2B Chris Carrara
C Mike Valadez
SS Brian Kolb

RHP Jack Frawley

Pitcher Carlos Rivas, who was signed by the RailCats on Feb. 14, has finally cleared his consulate process in his home country of Venezuela and arrived late Saturday to join the RailCats. Manager Greg Tagert said that Rivas will pitch for the team on Monday. He’ll use the first few days as Rivas’ “spring training” and give the long-time pitcher his chance to tryout.

First Inning
Hammond High and Purdue product Mike Coles singles past a diving Jeff Beachum at third base.
The RailCats gave up three hits to the RedHawks on Friday, then 15 on Saturday.
Zach Penprase is walked on five pitches.
Jason James flies out to center, too shallow to move any base runners.
Jim Fasano swings at a 1-2 pitch for the first K issued by Jack Frawley.
The ball hit by Carlo Cota forces Adam Klein to the warning track to make the third-out catch. Mid-1st inning: RedHawks 0, RailCats 0

Adam Klein is plunked in the back by a pitch, giving him first base.
Mike Massaro reaches on a fielder’s choice, a ground ball to second. Second baseman Carlo Cota tries to take out Klein at second, but the throw to shortstop Zach Penprase pulls Penprase off the bag and Klein is safe on the error.
Jeff Beachum lays down a bunt to sacrifice Massaro and Klein into scoring position. Beachum is out at first.
Cristian Guerrero strikes out with a violent swing.
Toddric Johnson is walked to load the bases with two out.
Mike Rohde flies out to center as the ‘Cats again leave the bases loaded without a run (that’s the second time in three innings, dating back to the eighth last night). End 1st inning: RailCats 0, RedHawks 0

Second Inning
Phil Britton grounds out to second.
Kole Zimmerman fouls a ball off of his foot. He’s limping around a little in pain. The RedHawks can’t afford to lose any more player, as they have a relief pitcher DHing.
Another groundout to second, this one by Zimmerman, leaves the bags clear of RedHawks.
Brian Ruggiano grounds out to third. Mid-2nd inning: RailCats 0, RedHawks 0

Chris Carrara strikes out looking at a 3-2 pitch. He thought he had a walk at 3-1, but the ump called a strike and the next pitch went past him.
Mike Valadez flies out to center field.
Brian Kolb pops out foul to first base. End 2nd inning: RailCats 0, RedHawks 0

Third Inning
Adam Tollefson just improved his career hitting average to .500 with a single into center field. Tollefson, a relief pitcher, has appeared in just four at-bats.
Back to the top of the batting order, Mike Coles takes a rare strikeout against the RailCats.
Zach Penprase is the third strikeout victim of Jack Frawley.
Tollefson advances to second on a wild pitch to Jason James.
James strikes out looking. After giving up a hit to a relief pitcher, Frawley strikes out the top of the order. Mid-3rd inning: RailCats 0, RedHawks 0

Adam Klein grounds out to first base.
Mike Massaro collects the first RailCats’ hit of the game, a single over the second baseman’s head.
Jeff Beachum flies out foul to first base.
Massaro steals second, beating out the 1-3-6 rally.
Cristian Guerrero grounds out to short, ending the scoring threat. End 3rd inning: RailCats 0, RedHawks 0

Fourth Inning
Jim Fasano doubles along the right-field line to put a RedHawk on second base.
Carlo Cota reaches first on an error at short when Brian Kolb can’t properly field the ball. Runners are on the corners.
Phil Britton singles past third base, scoring Fasano to give the RailCats the 1-0 lead. The ‘Hawks have two on with none out.
Kole Zimmerman lines out to second and Carlo Cota is taken out at second in a double play.
Brian Ruggiano grounds to short, where Britton is taken out at second. Mid-4th inning: RedHawks 1, RailCats 0

Todd Johnson takes a 3-2 pitch for a walk.
Mike Rohde strikes out swinging.
FYI, the cloudy skies have turned a little gray as the clouds move in faster. The wind appears to be picking up. We’re hearing reports of rain in Chicago and a look at the radar shows it’s headed this way. It could go around the ballpark or hit it head on, according to weather underground (wunderground.com).
Johnson steals second on a first pitch to Chris Carrara.
Johnson is out trying to steal third.
It has started raining. Fans are heading for the cover of the concourse.
Chris Carrara grounds out to third base. End 4th inning: RedHawks 1, RailCats 0

Fifth Inning
Adam Tollefson collects his second hit of the game, a single into left field.
Mike Coles double into the left-center gap, pushing Tollefson to third base.
A single between third and short by Zach Penprase scores Tollefston.
Jason James finds nearly the same spot as Mike Coles, a double that scores Coles and Penprase.
Jim Fasano is the first out of the inning, popping to third base.
Carlo Cota doubles to the wall, but Jason James was expecting the sacrifice, so he only advances as far as third base.
There’s thunder in the distance.
Phil Britton hits his second home run in as many games, a three-run shot over the left-field wall.
Jeremy Hauer is throwing in the RailCats’ pen.
Kole Zimmerman walks on four pitches, bringing pitching coach Tom Thornton out of the dugout.
Brian Ruggiano grounds to second, where Zimmerman is taken out and Ruggiano reaches on a fielder’s choice. The RedHawks have batted around in the inning.
Adam Tollefson grounds back to the mound. Mid-5th inning: RedHawks 7, RailCats 0

Mike Valadez grounds out to short to open the ‘Cats half of the inning.
Brian Kolb flies out to shallow right.
Adam Klein strikes out swinging.
For those scoring at home, the game is now official. Should the rain and/or thunderstorm end the game early, it will count as an official score. A game in St. Paul against Winnipeg this afternoon was already canceled because of a tornado warning. End 5th inning: RedHawks 7, RailCats 0

Sixth Inning
New pitcher!! Jeremy Hauer replaces starter Jack Frawley, who went 5 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, he threw 92 pitches, 59 good for strikes.
Mike Coles flies out to right to open the sixth.
Zach Penprase is walked.
Jason James grounds to first as Penprase advances to second.
Todd Johnson makes a diving, then flipping catch in right field on a Jim Fasano-hit ball for the final out of the inning. Mid-6th inning: RedHawks 7, RailCats 0

Mike Massaro pops out foul behind the plate, a high ball caught by catcher Phil Britton.
Jeff Beachum is walked on four pitches.
Beachum takes second on a 1-1 passed ball to Cristian Guerrero.
Guerrero is walked on five pitches. This brings a meeting on the mound.
Todd Johnson strikes out swinging.
Mike Rohde lines out to second. End 6th inning: RedHawks 7, RailCats 0

Seventh Inning
Carlo Cota flies out to right field.
Phil Britton flies out to left as the thunder and lightning comes in closer and the rain falls harder. The front office is manning the tarp, waiting for official word from the umps.
Kole Zimmerman strikes out looking, bringing on the tarp. 7th-inning stretch: RedHawks 7, RailCats 0

WE’RE IN RAIN DELAY, beginning at 4:07 p.m.
*The Tarp Crew took to the field, apparently ready to remove the tarp when they were told to stand down. Greg Tagert and Doug Simunic are discussion their options behind home plate while catcher Mike Valadez plays catch with fans in the stands. (4:50)

*At 4:57 p.m., the tarp has been pulled and is being dumped into right field. There’s still some work that has to be done on the infield before the game can restart. The lightning has not let up in the distance.

We’re an hour into the rain delay, and the field crew has raked the infield, the game looks to be starting back up shortly as the players are stretching and playing catch.

At 5:16 we’re restarting with a new pitcher for Fargo: Alex Calderra, replacing Scott Fogelson, who went 6 IP, 1 H, 4 BB, 5 K, he hit 1 batter, threw 102 pitches and struck out 56. There’s about an hour and a half to finish the final 2 1/2 innings before the next bad storm system hits. The rain delay was officially 1 hour, 12 minutes.
Chris Carrara grounds out to first.
Mike Valadez strikes out looking. He’s pretty sure he had the walk and started trotting toward first base when the ump called the 3-2 strike.
People, people, people! Brian Kolb doubles with a hit that hugs the right-field line.
Adam Klein flies out to center field to end the inning. End 7th inning: RedHawks 7, RailCats 0

Eighth Inning
New pitcher!! Brian Grening replaces Hauer, who went 2 IP, 1 BB, 1 K, he tossed 21 pitches with 14 K.
Brian Ruggiano doubles to open the eighth inning.
Adam Tollefson grounds out to second, moving Ruggiano to third.
Mike Coles grounds out to first as Ruggiano stays at third.
Brian Kolb drops the routine grounder, scoring Ruggiano and putting Penprase on first with his second error of the game.
Jason James doubles off the left-center wall, scoring Penprase on with the unearned run.
Jim Fasano doubles off the same spot in left-center, scoring James.
Carlo Cota lines out to third, ending the inning of three runs and three hits (all doubles). Mid-8th inning: RedHawks 10, RailCats 0

Mike Massaro is walked on a nine-pitch at-bat.
Jeff Beachum strikes out swinging.
Cristian Guerrero strikes out swinging.
Alex Calderra looks like an ace as he’s struck out the third straight in Toddric Johnson. End 8th inning: RedHawks 10, RailCats 0

Ninth Inning
Phil Britton opens with a single to left.
Kole Zimmerman singles past third base.
Brian Ruggiano flies out to center, leaving runners on first and second.
Adam Tollefson, who entered the game with three career at-bats, finishes it with five as he strikes out.
Mike Coles grounds to short, where Kole Zimmerman is taken out at second. Mid-9th inning: RedHawks 10, RailCats 0

New pitcher!! The RedHawks bring in Nick Di Napoli to replace Alex Calderra, who pitched 2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K, he threw 44 pitches, 27 for strikes.
Mike Rohde flies out to left.
Chris Carrara singles over the head of the third baseman to put a runner on.
Mike Valadez flies out to left, leaving Carrara at first.
Brian Kolb strikes out, the bat leaves his hand hitting five rows up in section 104. Final score: RedHawks 10, RailCats 0

During his pregame media chat, Greg Tagert talked about how the coaching staff is planning to make the decision on which player to cut when the American Association requires rosters to drop from 23 to 22 before Sunday’s game. This is what Tagert had to say: “We’ve discussed a lot of possibilities. I don’t know if tonight will dictate, if the pitching staff gets used a lot, that we certainly want to be prepared for the upcoming three games, but also that seven-game trip to Winnipeg and Sioux City. Some of the things that have gone into place in the last few days, where the pitching staff didn’t go as deep as we wanted in Kansas City, that certainly brought up some different points of conversation and discussion on what to do. There’s a possibility we could keep 11 pitchers, there’s a possibility of going with 10 or using that disabled list or inactive list to secure a guy. I’m just a little concerned about that because I know that players want to play, too.” Tagert said that the coaches will make the decision after tonight’s game.

Tonight’s lineup:
RedHawks (2-6)
RF Mike Coles
SS Zach Penprase
CF Nic Jackson
1B Jim Fasano
2B Carlo Cota
LF Jason James
C Phil Britton
DH Kole Zimmerman
3B Brian Ruggiano

RHP Zach Ward

RailCats (4-4)
LF Adam Klein
CF Mike Massaro
2B Brad Boyer
RF Cristian Guerrero
1B Jeff Beachum
SS Kyle Haines
DH Mike Rohde
C Mike Valadez
3B Chris Carrara

RHP Scott Shaw

Flanked by a pair of storm troopers, Darth Vader tossed out the first pitch to kick off tonight’s “Sci Fi Night.” Vader said something to outfielder Toddric Johnson, who caught the first pitches, enough to make Johnson laugh. Yoda took the photo of Vader and Johnson shaking hands.

The official start time of all RailCats games is 10 minutes after the hour to honor the RailCats’ 10th season of baseball.

First Inning
Hammond High and Purdue product Mike Coles opens with a single into right field. Coles has an on-base percentage of .212, but has always performed well against the RailCats, with a run, an RBI and three walks on Friday.
Before a 2-2 pitch to Zach Penprase, Coles is picked off of first base. That’s the third of the home season for the RailCats.
Penprase then promptly grounds out to first.
Nic Jackson smacks a hard-hit single into right field.
Jim Fasano singles up the middle, moving Jackson to third. In four batters, the RedHawks have collected three hits off of Scott Shaw.
The threat is ended when Carlo Cota flies out to left field. Mid-1st inning: RedHawks 0, RailCats 0

The RailCats are playing in their all-white unis today, keeping the pants with stirrups, adding all-green hats.
Adam Klein lays down a swinging bunt that barely reaches out of the dirt on the batter’s circle. After the play, Klein has words with the umpire that needs breaking up by Tagert.
As it is Sci Fi night, the RailCats’ media board is using characters from Star Wars to represent the RailCats instead of their head shots. Mike Massaro was represented by Luke Skywalker and a fan yelled to Mike: “Use the force, Massaro!” Massaro then grounds a one-hopper back to the mound.
Brad Boyer hits a high fly ball to center to end the inning. End 1st inning: RailCats 0, RedHawks 0

Second Inning
On the first pitch he sees, Jason James hits a single into right field. That’s four hits for the RedHawks.
Hit No. 5 for the ‘Hawks is off the bat of Phil Britton, who singles into left field, moving James to second.
Ball four is a wild pitch to Kole Zimmerman, loading the bases to bring out pitching coach Tom Thornton.
Brian Ruggiano sacrifices home James for the first score, a throw from Mike Massaro in center field that almost reaches before the runner.
Returning to the top of the batting order, Mike Coles hits a double to left center, scoring Britton.
Zach Penprase grounds back to the mound for the second out, leaving Zimmerman and Coles on base.
Nic Jackson doubles off the wall in left, scoring Zimmerman and Coles as the RedHawks take an early 4-0 lead.
Jim Fasano singles into left field and Jackson is being waived home. Adam Klein throws a rocket to Mike Valadez at the plate and Jackson is easily out at home plate. Mid-2nd inning: RedHawks 4, RailCats 0

Cristian Guerrero grounds out to short.
Jeff Beachum pops out foul to first base.
Kyle Haines singles up the middle as the first RailCats’ baserunner.
Mike Rohde is issued a walk, putting two men on.
Mike Valadez flies out to right field. End 2nd inning: RedHawks 4, RailCats 0

Third Inning
Carlo Cota singles up the middle, past a diving Scott Shaw. That’s the ninth hit for the RedHawks.
Jason James doubles off the right-center wall, scoring Cota from first base. The throw home is just off the base, as the tag barely misses.
With the double, James is the third RedHawks player to sit halfway through a natural cycle, with doubles and singles from Coles and Jackson as well.
Scott Shaw’s first strikeout victim is Kole Zimmerman.
Brian Ruggiano grounds back to the mound. Mid-3rd inning: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0

Chris Carrara grounds a 3-2 pitch to third base.
Returning to the top of the batting order, Adam Klein is walked.
Mike Massaro is the first RailCat to strike out, also making him the first RailCat to swing and miss at a pitch tonight (according to official scorer Aaron Leavitt).
Brad Boyer is walked on a 10-pitch at-bat.
Cristian Guerrero grounds back to the mound, leaving two runners on base. End 3rd inning: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0

Fourth Inning
Mike Coles is walked to reach base for the third time this evening.
Zach Penprase flies out to right. Coles didn’t tag up in time and couldn’t be sacrificed to second.
Nic Jackson is walked to put two on.
Scott Shaw’s pitch count is above 80. Zeb Engle and Will Krout have stretched and are prepping to throw in the bullpen.
Jim Fasano hits to second base where Nic Jackson is out at second. Jackson slides in spikes up and takes out Kyle Haines making the play. Fasano is safe at first on the fielder’s choice. Haines jumps up and says something to Jackson who then runs after Haines and takes a swing. Both benches empty! Haines and Jackson are both ejected for fighting. Here’s the catch, with Jesse Hoorelbeke injured, the RedHawks are out of position players. They’ll either need to lose their DH or turn a catcher or pitcher into an outfielder. Brian Kolb will replace Haines for the RailCats.
Carlo Cota pops out to first base, ending the explosive half of the inning. Mid-4th inning: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0

Defensive changes for the RedHawks: Zimmerman turns from DH into a left fielder, James goes from left to center and pitcher Zach Ward becomes a hitter in the three-hole where Nic Jackson had been.
Jeff Beachum grounds to short to open the ‘Cats half of the inning.
In his first at-bat of the game, Brian Kolb strikes out on three pitches. Granted, he didn’t have a lot of time to prepare.
Mike Rohde grounds out to first. End 4th inning: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0

Fifth Inning
Jason James grounds out to second base.
Will Krout is warming up in the RailCats bullpen. Scott Shaw entered the inning with 87 pitches.
Phil Britton pops out to third base.
It’s the first 1-2-3 defensive inning for the RailCats as Kole Zimmerman strikes out. Shaw ends the fifth with 97 pitches. Mid-5th inning: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0

On the first pitch, Mike Valadez lines out to short.
Chris Carrara hits a bouncing ball to short for the second out.
Adam Klein is walked with five pitches.
Mike Massaro flies out to left field, where Kole Zimmerman, usually a catcher, makes the catch on the run. End 5th inning: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0

Sixth Inning
A marriage proposal opens the sixth inning. (She said “yes!”)
There’s also a new pitcher! Will Krout replaces Scott Shaw, who went 5 IP with 10 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 2 K, he tossed 97 pitches, 61 good for strikes.
Brian Ruggiano flies out to left.
Mike Coles is struck out looking.
Zach Penprase is called out at first on a ground ball to short. The RedHawks disagree wtih the call. Mid-6th inning: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0

Zach Ward, who didn’t have to hit in the last inning, returns to the mound with 75 pitches and one hit allowed.
That’s the RailCats’ second hit of the game off the bat of Brad Boyer, who singles between first and second (as both the first, then second basemen dive to miss the ball).
Cristian Guerrero strikes out swinging.
Jeff Beachum grounds out to short, moving Boyer to second base.
Brian Kolb grounds out to third, ending the inning. End 6th inning: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0

Seventh Inning
Pitcher Zach Ward takes his first at-bat. He’s 0-for-2 in his previous hitting career, both Ks.
Ward hits out of the infield, an easy fly ball for Cristian Guerrero in right.
Jim Fasano singles up the middle, his third hit of the game. He’s reached base on all four at-bats, including a fielder’s choice in the fourth inning.
Carlo Cota doubles as the ball hugs the left-field line. Fasano is given the stop sign at third base.
Jason James is intentionally walked to load the bases.
Phil Britton lines out to second. The force-out at second base isn’t completed in time and that’s only good for one out.
Zeb Engle is throwing in the ‘Cats pen.
The RailCats escape the inning as Kole Zimmerman grounds out to short. 7th-inning stretch: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0

Mike Rohde grounds out to first.
Adam Tollefson is throwing for Fargo in the bullpen.
“People, people, people!!” Mike Valadez doubles into shallow right.
Valadez ran to third on what he thought was a wild pitch. It was not and Valadez is out at third.
Chris Carrara grounds out to second. End 7th inning: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0

Eighth Inning
Bran Ruggiano strikes out on three pitches.
Mike Coles grounds out to short.
Zach Penprase grounds out to first. Mid-8th inning: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0

Zach Ward returns to the eighth inning with 98 pitches (61 of those are strikes).
Adam Klein takes his third walk of the game. Klein ties the league-lead with 11 walks.
Mike Massaro singles into right field. That’s it for Zach Ward.
Adam Tollefson replaces Ward, who went 7+ innings, allowing 4 H, 5 BB, 3 K, he tossed 105 pitches, 64 good for strikes. He’s also responsible for both base runners.
Brad Boyer is walked and that’s it for Adam Tollefson. Casey Hoorelbeke replaces Tollefson, who threw six pitches to Boyer. With the bases loaded, this becomes a save situation for Hoorelbeke.
Cristian Guerrero’s swing at the third strike twists him around. That’s the first out and the bases are still loaded.
Jeff Beachum is struck out looking.
Pinch hitting for Brian Kolb is Toddric Johnson.
Johnson flies out to enter. End 8th inning: RedHawks 5, RailCats 0