Roxborough Baseball Romps Southern

The Roxborough Indians first round Public League playoff game against Southern was delayed four separate times last week due to uncooperative weather. For the Indians, the wait was worth it.

Monday afternoon at home, Roxborough got a two-run home run from Mike Maisch and six RBIs from catcher Frank Legrady to beat Southern 18-3 in a mercy rule shortened game that was called before three innings were completed. The Indians moved to 9-3 on the season.

"Well, we haven't played in a week, so it was good for them to get out there and swing the bats well," said Indians manager Bob Stowman, who characterized the win as a "warm up" for the week ahead.

"If we keep winning, we'll play every day this week," said Stowman, "but as long as they swing the bats, we'll be okay."

The Southern game started May 19, but was called after half an inning when heavy rain fell. Monday's action picked up in the bottom of the first with the Indians down 1-0. It wouldn't stay that way for long.

The Indians immediately jumped all over whoever was unfortunate enough to throw pitches for Southern. They grabbed a 5-3 lead by the middle of the second inning, then got a two out, two run double by Legrady that pushed their advantage to 7-3 after two.

It was in the bottom half of the third though that the real damage was done.

Kyle Narkewski drew first blood when he singled to score pitcher John Spinks to make it 8-3. Three batters later, Ralph Martinez hit a two-run, bases loaded double to push the score to 10-3. After a Tyler Remminger strikeout, Legrady struck again, this time with a bases clearing single to expand the Indian lead to 12-3.

"We're hitting the ball pretty good today," opined bench-playing Nick Passivo from his perch on the chain link fence that backs the Indian dugout.

"It's all about making contact," added Legrady, relieved of his base running duties so he could put on his catcher's equipment.

In the next Indian at-bat, Mike Maisch--playing his first game of the season due to eligibility issues related to his being a fifth-year senior--hit a home run to deep left center to push the lead to 14-3.

"[The hit] felt real good," admitted Maisch. "I knew I'd hit it really good, but to be honest, I wasn't sure it was a home run 'til I saw the umpire signal it."

Adding insult to injury, the Indians posted four more runs after Maisch's shot to force the game to be called with still two outs left in the bottom of the third. When the dust settled, the Indians scored 11 runs in the inning.

It was a confidence inspiring performance, for players and coaches alike.

"We could win the AAA title," opined Stowman as his players cleared the dugout. "I don't see any reason why not."

The Indian's postseason continues May 23, at home, against Swenson.