Game 6 Preview - Hooks vs. Ironbirds, 5/21/2011

As Elk Grove Babe Ruth's 50th season inches closer to its home stretch, match-ups gain importance as rematches surface and teams continue jostling for playoff position. A lopsided match-up in the early going suddenly shifts with added chemistry and high school supplemental players taking the field as excitement and drama build before game time. This week, in the sixth installment of the Saturday night Game of the Week, fans will be treated to an enticing match-up between talented teams when the pitching-rich Hooks do battle with the defending champion Ironbirds in a league contest with plenty at stake.

Stayner paces the Hooks in most offensive and pitching categories.

The Hooks, sponsored by Dorminey Orthodontics, are managed by Bob Walter, and the team has been very dangerous all year despite some ups and downs. Leading the charge for the Hooks has been lefty masher JD Stayner, who leads the team in most offensive categories. Stayner's season totals include a .545 average, one triple, two homeruns, 15 RBI, and 16 runs scored, all evidence of the threat he poses in the batter's box. Stayner has also been dominant on the mound, to the tune of a 3.13 ERA with 51 strikeouts across 23 innings pitched. Most impressively, though, Stayner has been lights out and demonstrated command and control, only walking 4 batters all season long.

In addition to Stayner's heroics, the Hooks have also enjoyed major contributions from other players. Nate Abeid has been a huge weapon all over the field in the early going, batting .400 with 15 runs scored and 8 RBIs on 7 extra-base hits including a homerun to go along with 18 stolen bases, and also pitching 9 solid innings. Cody Tanner has done excellent work behind the plate, showcasing a strong arm and plenty of experience, while also hitting .360 and pitching effectively with a 4.76 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched as the team's leader on the field. 2010 13-year-old all-star Matthew Walter has only played in seven games but has been strong when present, hitting .350, playing a strong short stop, and compiling 22 Ks in 17 innings pitched. Ben Ortega has also gotten his feet wet on the mound and was deemed the team's best hitter this past week by Coach Walter, and Rudy Bermudez has been a key contributor on offense with a .387 batting average and a team-leading 12 base hits.

Tanner (left) and Abeid have both performed admirably early on.

Coach Walter's praise for his players doesn't end with those names, though. "Bryce Anderson has overcome a devastating knee injury...suffered during tryouts and has made huge strides, especially with his hitting, Ryan Dorminey, when he's not getting hit with pitches and throws...has been a ...sparkplug, [and] Toni Sampson, in her first year of hardball, has been an inspiration with her effort and improvement."

With that impressive cast, supplemental pitcher/first-basemen Irv Arellano, and a deep coaching staff, the second half certainly looks bright for the Hooks.

"After losing three one-run games in the first half--and with the addition of Arellano--we are looking forward to making a run at the playoffs, or at least making some teams very uncomfortable," said Coach Walter. "This team is a pleasure to manage and coach and we think the second half of the season can be very special. "

Quentin Kennell has been a force as a hitter and pitcher.

Opposing them Saturday night will be the Ironbirds, led by manager Chris Allen and coach Larry Stone, are the reigning league champions after a banner 2010 seasonthat culminated in a victory in the first game ever played at Bartholomew Park. This year's iteration features a few familiar faces from that run, as well as a few new faces hoping to propel their team from the fringes of the playoff race. Leading the charge this season has been returning all-star third basemen Quentin Kennell, who has lead the team at the plate and on the mound throughout the first half. At the plate, Kennell is second on the team with a .484 average via a team-leading 15 hits. He has also scored 15 runs, driven in 10, and stolen a whopping 28 bases already this year. He has also been the undisputed ace on the mound, throwing 31 innings and frequently dominating, such as in a big win over the River Bandits in which he threw 4 scoreless innings and struck out eight consecutive batters. 

Dheaven Hutchinson leads the Ironbirds with a .500 average.

Kennell has not been alone in providing a spark, though. Fellow returning Ironbird and all-star Dominick Babich has also been impressive, hitting .364 and stealing 20 bases as a vital table-setter for the lineup. 15-year-old Dheavan Hutchinson has been even more impressive, leading the team with a gaudy .500 batting average that includes four doubles, 15 runs, and 25 stolen bases, and playing crucial innings at shortstop and catcher in the first half. High-school player Ken Ganzler returns, after starring in the championship game last year and seeing time with Sheldon High School's varsity team this spring, and he figures to play a vital role on the mound and at the plate. Sam Richardson, a two-time all-star and a catcher for Pleasant Grove High School's JV team, also has added a lot to the team in his first week, including a 2 for 2 effort with 2 RBIs in his first game of the season. Patrick Walker, who has the team's only home run, Braden Trotter (.286 average, 10 SB) and Zane Jorgensen (.333 average) have also been strong contributors at the plate, while Matt Vargas and Braden Trotter have also pitched important innings as 13-year-olds for the team.

"I always looked forward to the NBC Saturday 'game of the week' when I was a kid because we did not have many games on television back then," said Coach Stone. "It was cool to see other teams from around the country.  This game tonight reminds me of that tradition and is exciting because so many other coaches and fans get to come see your team compete.  It feels more professional."

The National Anthem this week will be performed by Franklin High School graduating senior Ryan Miller, who recently performed at his graduation ceremony, singing a duet of "Stand by Me," and he played the lead role of Jean Valjean in Franklin Theatre Company's acclaimed performance of Les Miserable this past spring.