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GAME HIGHLIGHTS: A strong showing by the Glenview Reds in our first game, a 9-8 loss to Evanston 1. We were led by strong showings at the plate by Matt (two-for-four, including a gigantic home run), Deano (two-for-three), and PeteF. (two-for-four). A good first-effort pitching by Andrew (two innings, one run) and Billy's shutout inning. Great comeback in the top of the seventh started by Mike and Jonathan, followed by PeteF.'s single, Jack's hit-by-pitch, Deano's walk, and Matt's three-run double. 

-- Coach John Curkov

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: We suffer another tough defeat, 7-3, to the Skokie 2 Warriors. Andrew, Jack, Billy, Pete F., and Matt combined for a three-hitter. But way too many walks in the third were our downfall. The Skokie pitchers also pitched a fine game, holding our hitters to only five hits. Outstanding plays in the field. Both Jonathan and John both made "big-time" outfield catches to stop a Skokie scoring threat. Matt gunned down a runner attempting to steal second. Ronnie made a great throw from right to PeteF. at home to gun down a runner trying to score. The team met our newest members, Corey K. and John K. 

-- Coach John Curkov

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: THE THUNDER IS BACK!
     First, thank you goes to the Portage Park coaches for loaning us two players, and another thanks goes to Tom Kendall for somehow getting the park lights turned on. (Used a tire iron to pop the padlock on the light box! What else could I do, since it was the wrong lock? -- Tom Kendall, AKA the webmaster)
     Now the highlights: The Reds pounded the Portage Park Red Sox' pitchers for 16 hits and 12 walks in a 21-4 win. The offensive charge was once again led by Matt with two monster home runs. PeteF., Jack, Andrew, Billy, and Matt had multiple hits. John and Petey also contributed with multiple walks. Fine defensive plays were made by John, who threw out a runner at third from center field, Jack, who made his fall debut behind the plate and threw out a runner at third on an attempted steal and narrowly missed on another, and Andrew, those crafty lefties, picking off a runner at first. On the down side our pitchers still struggled, giving up 9 walks in 6 innings.

-- Coach John Curkov

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: The Reds' hit parade is on a roll!
     The Reds suffered through a shaky first inning, and then Rockies came out swinging and put a five-spot on the board. The Reds began their comeback with one run in the second, five in the third, and another five in the fourth. The offensive attack was led by PeteF. (three-for-four with four RBI's), Jack, Matt, and Deano (with two hits each), and Mike with three runs scored.

     The five-run third was highlighted by Ron's at-bat: down in the count 0-2, he fouled off four pitches and coaxed a walk from the Rockies' fireball pitcher. After the first inning the pitching was solid by Andrew, Billy, Pete F, Deano, and Matt. They combined for 11 strikeouts. This was the first game where we had the whole team present. 

-- Coach John Curkov

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: The streak continues!
     Both teams only had eight players. Andrew  finally began to find the groove from the 54' mound. He had his best Fall Ball outing: the only base runners he allowed were on errors. He struck out one, picked off one, and more importantly he didn't walk anyone. 
     In the bottom of the first the Reds scored their first run with good coaching (way to go, Scott!) and good base running by Jack. He scored from second on a ground out to the second baseman. In the third inning, Billy struggled on the mound, issuing three consecutive walks. But once again the coaches came up big. I talked to Billy about the release points while coaches Scott and Pete fixed the mound. Billy quickly got out of the inning without another walk and pitched a solid fourth inning.

     In the meantime the Reds' offense was ripping the ball. We scored three runs in the second, led by Ronnie's one-hop ground-rule double. We also got an assist from one of those pesky bees: it stung the Pirates' shortstop seconds before John ripped a shot at him. In the third, Jack, the starting left tackle for the Glenview Junior Titans, drilled a ground-rule double to straightaway center field, off the Junior Titans' starting quarterback. Jack promised to block. PeteF. started the fifth and sixth innings. He struck out three Pirates and only allowed one base runner. Matt picked up the save with a three strikeout seventh.
     Offensively our leaders were Jack (who went three-for-five) and Ronnie (two-for-three). But every Red had at least one hit. Defensive gems were made by Matt and Mike. 

-- Coach John Curkov

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: The streak remains intact with a 12-9 win over a tough Glenview Dodger team. This was one of those games where the team with the last at-bat would win.
     The Reds struck for three runs in the first, led by Jack, Matt, and Jonathan. But in the bottom of the first the Dodgers came right back with three of their own. Andrew once again picked off a runner at first. In the second the Reds continued their troubles on the base paths. With no outs, and Matt on first and Jack on third, our problems began. Matt got picked off first and on the same play Jack was thrown out trying to steal home. But the Reds still managed to score on Billy's double and his steal of third and home. JohnK. made three consecutive plays at second to retire the Dodgers in the bottom of the second inning.

     In the bottom of the fourth the Dodgers reclaimed the lead 6-5. The Reds, with timely hitting by PeteF., John, and another home run blast by Matt, capped by a tremendous face-first slide into home, moved back in front 8-6. The Dodgers once again tied the game with a pair in the bottom.

     Finally the Reds put the finishing touches on the win by scoring five runs in the top of the sixth and holding the Dodgers to only one run in the bottom. The game ended after the sixth, when the Dodgers ran out of players.

     Key fielding plays were made by Mike, Jack, who almost threw out Andrew going to third, and Matt, who threw out two runners attempting to steal second.

     Offensive stars were Deano, with his 40-foot blooper that stopped on the foul line; PeteF., who went two-for-two; Jack, who went two-for-four; and Matt and Billy with extra base hits. Andrew, Billy, Deano, and PeteF. continued to shine on the mound. And key contributions were also made by Jonathan, Ronnie, and PeteC.

-- Coach John Curkov

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: The Reds roll on with another dominating win 16-4. Once again the Reds found themselves shorthanded, but thanks to call-ups Brian and Kyle, we were ready to go. The Fish knew they were in for trouble after consecutive hits by PeteF., Jack, Matt, and Deano and RBI's by PeteC. and Andrew. The Reds scored four in the first. Defensively the Reds altered their pitching rotation as Deano started the game. Deano went two strong innings and dazzled the Fish with fastballs and a BIG breaking curve. Andrew took over in the third. Once again he picked off a couple of base runners. A defensive highlight was Jack gunning down a runner at second who tried to stretch a single into a double.

     In the fifth inning Brian had a one-two-three perfect inning with a couple of strikeouts. Matt took over in the sixth. Matt struck out the side. PeteF. picked up the save working a perfect seventh. Mike shone both at the plate and in the field. PeteC. contributed a couple of RBIs. Ronnie after a sluggish start, had a couple of hits, a couple of steals, and a nice play at third. 

     Once again the Reds won with a total team effort: hitting, pitching, fielding, and base running. Whopee! No base running blunders!

-- Coach John Curkov

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: On the frozen tundra of a great northern suburb, the Glenview Reds continue to roll to victory. The latest team to fall to our onslaught was Evanston 3, by the final score of 9-4. 

     Once again our pitching was solid. Andrew went two strong innings with three strike outs. John made his pitching debut and recorded two K's in his one inning of work. Billy picked-up four K's in his two innings. PeteF. struggled with control due to the cold weather, but still was sharp. Finally Matt closed the door in usual fashion with two more strikeouts in the seventh. 

     Offensively we were led by Jonathan (two-for-four with two RBI's), Matt (three-for-four), and Mike (who had three walks and a single). We surprised Evanston 3 with our speed, as Andrew and PeteC. both beat out bunts and Ronnie rumbled to first on a dropped third strike.

     We head into our final game against an undefeated Glenview 3 Royals team, while we have a very good record of 6-2. Our two loses easily could have been wins. Let's see if we can end the season on a high note with victory.

-- Coach John Curkov

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Before I set the scene, the Reds thank CharlieH. for playing. He was a big part of the win.
     Now, the game. The two best teams in Glenview (sorry, A's) were about to square off. The Royals came into the game with an outstanding record of 6-1, while our heros, the Reds', record was a solid 6-2.
     The first inning showed the type of battle the two teams were about to wage. Andrew started, and behind a great catch by Deano in center, the Royals stranded a runner at third. In our half of the first we left PeteF. and Deano at third and second respectively. 
     Andrew worked a solid second inning, as did the Royals' pitcher. So, at the end of two innings, the score was knotted at 0-0. 
     The third inning saw Billy on the mound. It took him two batters (both walks) to adjust to the mound, but then he settled down and forced the Royals to hit the ball to reach base. Mike, who played a rock-steady second, had the next three balls hit to him. He fielded them flawlessly, and the Reds retired the side. The Reds recorded their first hit of the game as Charlie beat out an infield single. In a daring bit of coaching the Reds try to execute a hit and run. This backfires as PeteF. lines out to the left fielder and the relay to first narrowly beats Charlie. This thriller after three innings is Royals 1 and Reds 0. 
     The Royals got their first hit in the top of the fourth. After a long run by both PeteC. and Mike the ball somehow dropped for a single. A walk followed that singe. The next batter hit a bomb to deep right, but PeteC. got on his pony and tracked it down for the first out. After an infield pop and a nice play by Billy, the Royals were done. The score after 3-1/2 innings was 2-0 with our boys trailing. 
     Sadly, I have to report that either the Royals' pitcher forgot where the strike zone was, or the umpire lost concentration. All coaches, both teams, believe that the umpire misplaced his strike zone, as the Royals walked seven batters in the inning. But in the inning, Andrew ripped a shot to right field, driving in two runs. The score after four innings was Royals 2 and Reds 5. 
     Deano took the mound to begin the fifth. Needless to say, the umpiring (I hate saying that) and shoddy Reds' defense allowed the Royals to score six and bat around. With the Reds chasing 3, it was rally time. Billy led off with a single, Mike walked, Ronnie grounded out hard to second, advancing the runners, and PeteC. followed with another walk. With the bases loaded, Charlie hit one up the middle, but the pitcher flagged it down and got the force at home. Bases were still loaded and Jack (he's my favorite player, he's also my son) was up to bat. Would the Royals be able to wiggle out of the jam? NO: Jack ripped a big-hop single for two RBI's and the rout was on. PeteF., Andrew, and Matt all followed with hits. With Matt at third and Deano the 10th man up, the Royals intentionally walked him, raising the ire of the Reds' manager. At the end of five innings, the score was 11-8 in favor of the Reds. 
     PeteF. started the sixth, and 15 pitches later the Reds were back in the dugout. Pete chalked up two strikeouts and a 1-3 putout. In the bottom of the inning, Billy walked and Mike continued to hit the ball hard as he singled to right. But we stranded both runners. 
     In the seventh we trotted out our right handed version of the Big Unit, Matt. His ERA going into this game was 0.00. In the fading light, the leadoff man ripped one at Ronnie, who backhanded it and threw to Andrew, who dug it out of the dirt for the first out. The next batter singled and stole second and third. Matt bore down, getting the next hitter to ground weakly to first and then froze the next batter with a inside laser for a called third strike. GAME OVER!

-- Coach John Curkov

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