Makeshift MVP squad dominant in MDW win over defending champs

• Nick Bettenhauser – in London
• Ryan James – Watching planes fly around
• Kyle Baylous – simpin’ away in Rochester
• Pat Biemer – suspected car troubles
• Shane White – texted at 1AM he wouldn’t make it
• James Loesch – likely tired of spending time with Tom

With that in mind, Kyle has been stripped of his captaincy as Matty Baylous (3-5, 2 runs) has now officially been donned the “Better Baylous” by both MVP players and fans. He will be missing next week as well and it is only worsening the situation for the young MVP backup shortstop. He has now found himself on the hot seat as Mike Giacchetto (1-4, 1 RBI), team Italian, answered the call and delivered a spectacular performance at short.

Ryan James will likely find a seat right next to Kyle on the bench as the two will have to battle for ‘Second-Best Baylous’ in the coming weeks.

Now, back to the game.

Anticipations were high for the first MVP/Boys matchup since last season’s semi-final. As always, the Boys had strength in numbers as they had more fans in dogs than MVP had fans in general. If MVP couldn’t win the numbers game with attendance, they had to do it with runs and here’s how they did it.

MVP started off hot scoring 2 in the first inning as London (5-5, 4 runs, 3 RBIs) and Rizz (4-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs) were both driven in by a Jon Rich (2-4, 4 RBIs) single.

Then the real adventure starts; will MVP’s makeshift infield hold up against the defending champs?

Short answer: For the most part, yes, but challenges continue at third.

In the bottom of the 2nd, the Boys scored 2 of their own as a result of some misplayed balls. A theme that we understand may continue until Nick returns from London in late July.

Tied at 2 in the 3rd, MVP responded as MVP legend Tom Loesch (3-4, 3 runs) got things started with his signature ‘Twinkle Toes’ flare shot which was followed by the 1-2 punch of London and Rizz as MVP went into the bottom of the 3rd up 4-2. They immediately gave away 3 runs, I’ll let you guess at what position, and found themselves down as well as demoralized by yet another inning plagued by the hot corner debacle.

There, I said it anyways.

Down 5-4 to start the 4th, MVP desperately needed to respond and show some life and boy did they show it. Pio (2-5, 1 run, debut in the field) led off the inning with a single and a series of hits ensued, including Zach White‘s (3-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI) 1st official hit with MVP.

Congrats to you Z-Dub.

MVP was brewin’ as they put up a season-high 8 runs and never looked back.

The Boys would put on 3 runs from the 4th to the end of the game and MVP picked up 5 runs between that time. Amidst the low-scoring 4th-9th, Tom Loesch recorded 2 strikeouts to put him into elite category as the only DSSL pitcher to record multiple strikeout games in 3 different decades.

Also during that time, London Gronk-spiked a ball when throwing a ball in from left-center. This is likely as a result of having a certain QB on his mind as rumors have it that Tom Brady and co. could be in the lineup next Sunday against the Dugouts.

The cavalry is coming and this GM couldn’t be happier.

At the end of the day, MVP walked away with a 17-8 win.

Thank you to those who served and lost their lives. God Bless America and the Brew Crew.

“Ball, Ball, BALL!”

London & Rizz exchange in bottom of the 9th

Notables:

• MVP loses coin toss for a third consecutive week
• 9 MVP Players record multiple hits
• One-Leg’s hat is OK following his pop-up
• Zach White’s first hit ball is on its way to Cooperstown along with Loesch’s strikeout ball
• MVP has 5 fans, a season-high
• MVP will likely be investing in a new team bat
• Team BBQ next week