Wood Rolls Past Aces

Wood 9
Aces 5

Wood baseball club made a statement on Sunday by dispatching the Aces 9-5 in its first playoff game of 2012.  Offense, defense, and pitching all came together at the right time for Wood, who before Sunday hadn't been able to wrangle all three strengths into a single game.  Maybe it was the playoffs, maybe it was the crowd, maybe it was the brown g-string Ryan Tovani wore under his uniform for good luck.  For whatever reason, Wood put together a damn good game on Sunday.

A full lineup could have been one catalyst for Wood's success.  For possibly the first time all season, manager Brandon "What the hell?  This urinal's not working, I'd better check the in" Sides had a full squad to work with.  The arsenal of Wood hitters ended the day with nearly each starter collecting a hit.  Rookie outfielder and playgirl spokesman Sean Bachelder even had three, and reached base in every at bat.  Dave Aubuchon, Cameron Weissenssee, and Pat Whelly were also pacesetters on the day.

Ely Alexander's menacing fastball grip

 

 

 

 

Wood starting pitcher Chente Lopez didn't have his best stuff Sunday, though he battled, pitched through errors, and persevered enough to last six innings.  Normally, Throwing With Coach recaps the team's pitching efforts by lauding Lopez for throwing strikes, working quickly, and dispatching opposing hitters faster than an Ely Alexander fastball.  Today however the pitching cheers go to Mike Moyer, for overcoming control struggles and shutting the door on the Aces.  The youngster lost the strike zone several times, but came back to quiet the Aces dugout and secure a Wood win.  Kudos go to Mike for winning the battle.

Whelly fields a ground ball in the ninth

Wood's defense made several excellent plays behind Lopez and Moyer, though multiple errors had Sides pacing frenetically in the dugout throughout the game.   Sides wore his cleats thin from his mid game pacing, but the ultimate blow to his nerves was in the ninth.  All-star second baseman Pat Whelly fielded a hard ground ball off of his right temple after a terrible hop, and quickly dropped to the ground.  Sides immediately sprinted to the field to offer Whelly a hand, a shave, and to check up on the fan favorite.  After a few tense moments Whelly proved to be fine, the game resumed, and Mike Moyer slammed and locked the door.  Sides however was still a bit shaken.  He spoke about it at the post game press conference.

 A typical Jevon Mattiassi campfire

Sides:   "Man that was close.  I haven't been that nervous since the last time Jevon cooked me a hot dog.  I mean I was really hungry at the time so I choked it down, but he burns them so badly I can barely taste them.  Oh yea sweet win though.  Did you hear the sound the ball made off Whelly's head?  Gross."

Reporter:    "Uhhh, Brandon?  Can we talk baseball?  How are you preparing for the Baysox?"


Sides:    "You know I thought Whelly's BBQs would have been the weirdest.  He spends weeks just driving up and those fire roads in the Sierras.  I hear that's what that kid from into the wild did before he went off the deep end and started eating berries and twigs.  Then he started "touching" the wildlife.  Good way to get a bear claw up the urethra if you ask me.  But the diet thing?  I could never do that.  Brandon likes his steaks too much.  Big dog's gotta eat.  But Jevon's BBQ.....WAY weirder.  Not only did he cook the hot dogs with his ass, but Rocky..."

Reporter:   "Brandon?"

Sides:    "Huh?  Shut up for a second this is a good story.  You see Rocky..."

Reporter:    "Brandon!!!" 

Sides:    "Oh yeah.  What was I talking about?  Crap I have to catch my flight.  I'll finish the story Friday after the game.  You guys are gonna want your tape recorders for this one."


Shoutouts:

Ryan Tovani, for running in place of non-runner Grant "Barney Rubble" Bledsoe, stealing a bag scoring a run, and getting plunked at every single bag along the way.

Matt Moyer, for struggling through an injury and still helping to anchor the defense at shortstop.

Dave Moyer, for bringing post game beers for both Wood and the Woodettes.

Steve McDevitt, for cheering on Wood during the game, snapping some quality action shots, and for keeping the Woodettes company all game because they had cupcakes and snacks.

Wood looks to carry its momentum from Sunday into the semifinals this weekend versus the Baysox.  The three game series starts with game one Friday night at 7:15 at San Leandro Ballpark.  Games two (and if necessary three) will be played on Sunday at 10am at Redwood High School.  Come out and support your WOOD as they inch closer to SFNABA glory.  Great seats still available.