Game 6 Report — Tap Outs 26, AFG 14

The Ted's Shirt Shack crew brought out the whuppin' sticks to avenge their only loss of the season.

The Tap Outs jumped out to a 10-0 lead after an inning and a half only to see the AFG boys fight their way back into it. AFG pulled within 14-13 after five, but an eight-run sixth gave the Tap Outs the breathing room they needed to improve to 5-1 with an easy win at Moorman Main.

Obviously, the offense was the key to the victory. Everyone in the lineup contributed. Eric B. and Scotty 2 Hotty set the tone at the top of the order. Kriss Kross showed some opposite field power and legged out an early triple as part of the 10-0 run to start the game.

Big John Studd also hit the ball where they weren't and hustled his way around the bases. Nick the Quick had some big hits as did Marky Mark. The Zach Attack also hit the ball all around the park. Heck, even DOB got it done, going 3 for 5 with 3 RBI and scoring two runs. DOB had a two-run single early in the decisive sixth inning to set the tone for the rout. DOB wasn't with the team during the earlier loss to AFG.

Jazzy Jeff, battling back from illness, got beat around more than normal, but the Tap Outs defense was pretty solid behind him.

The Tap Outs will be back in action next Thursday against JJ's Catering. The earlier meeting between the teams was rained out. DOB will be missing in action because he has to work. The Tap Outs will also be missing Hitman Hart (back injury) and Jared (who is moving out of town.) Will we survive? Game time is 7 p.m. at Wavering.

Game 5 Report — Tap Outs 9, Grove Inn 6

Thanks to a seventh-inning rally, the Tap Outs remained in a tie for first place in the Quincy Park District Division V race on Thursday night at Wavering Park.

A listless Tap Out team finally found its offensive groove in the seventh, scoring six runs to rally from a 6-3 deficit to pull otu the win and improve to 4-1 on the season.

The Tap Outs had a golden chance to tie the game at 5 with two outs in the top of the sixth, but DOB grounded out to third base to kill that rally. No matter, the top of the Tap Outs' order wound up picking up.

The first six Tap Outs reached base in the seventh inning to help give the Ted's Shirt Shack-sponsored unit the lead for the first time. DOB once again killed the inning by flying out to right field with a runner in scoring position (just consider him like Matt Holliday with RISP).

Again, it didn't matter as the Grove Inn crew, which was winless through its first three games, wound up going down in order in the seventh against Kriss Kross, who filled in admirably on the mound for Jazzy Jeff.

For the second straight week, the Tap Outs had just 10 players with Hitman Hart (back), The Bellringer (work) and Jazzy Jeff (cow milking) missing in action on Thursday night.

Donny Walberg showed up after missing the last two games. He and Kriss Kross both had foul outs though. Pretty weak sauce. At least Kriss Kross had the excuse that he was pitching — pitchers aren't supposed to hit. The defensive effort was OK, but not spectacular — except for DOB who once again showed his Gold Glove skills behind the plate by running down a pop fly in fair territory.

After a lost week at the plate last week, DOB had hits in first two plate appearances before turning into a rally killer late in the game. The Tap Outs are still undefeated with DOB in the lineup.

We'll be back at it next week, facing Outdoor Power in an 8 p.m. game at Upper Moorman.

Game 4 Report — Tap Outs 6, Leroy's Hideout 5

It might be a record, the Tap Outs actually got to play for two straight weeks.

Thursday's battle with the team formerly known as Uncle Bob's proved to be a defensive struggle. All of the scoring was done early in the game. Leroy scored all of their runs in the second inning, while the Tap Outs scored all of their runs in the second and third innings to pull out the win.

Jazzy Jeff didn't have any strikeouts, but coaxed the Leroy's crew to hit the ball right at the Tap Outs' defensive alignment for most of the night. Scotty 2 Hotty pulled off a nice double play at shortstop to end the sixth inning. He caught a liner and then rifled a throw over to Big John Studd at first base to complete the twin killing.

Sadly, the Tap Outs hit into two DPs of their own. Marky Mark hit into one and DOB followed suit later by hitting into another 6-4-3 DP. DOB earned LVP honors with his 0-for-2 performance from the No. 10 spot in the lineup. He choked in his first AB in the second inning, coming up with the bases loaded and popping up to left field. Just awful.

No real offensive highlights to speak of. Kriss Kross had a nice hit to the gap to score a couple of runs and Jazzy legged out a double and skinned his leg in the process to start the fun in the second inning.

Only had 10 Tap Outs in attendance. Hitman missed his second straight game and we haven't seen Donny since the near-riot he caused in Week 2. The Tap Outs are now 3-1 with the win, including a perfect 3-0 mark when DOB graces the team with his presence.

Your Quincy Park District Division V heroes will be back in action next Thursday at Wavering when we take on Grove Inn. Be there or be square.