DH Sweep of Sox

On Sunday, August 8, the Rangers took both games of a DH against the Beavercreek Sox for the first time since 2003.

Shawn Schmitt was dazzling in game 1 as he tossed the first shutout against the Sox since Scott Pollak did it on July 21, 2004. Schmitt scattered 5 hits, walking none, and struck out 6 to pick up his 4th win of the season. With the win, Shawn moved into sole possession for wins (28) on the MVABL all-time wins list.

The Rangers faced off against Sox ace Tyler Fruhwirth who pitched extremely well against the Rangers, but threw one mistake pitch that Jake Kingsolver hit over the left field fence for a 3-run HR in the bottom of the first inning.

Game two saw coach Lippincott pull out a little old school magic in calling Joe Staten to the hill. Staten made his first start on the mound since 2002, and pitched excellent for being told 20 minutes prior to start time that he was getting the nod.

The Rangers got on the board in the top of the first after the first two batters K'd. Robert Riley and Jake Kingsolver singled, and Jonmarc Lippincott singled in Riley for the first run. The Sox answered with a pair in the second as Phil Kosier homered to deep right. Cody Kaglic then doubled and scored on Dave Riley's base hit. The Rangers tied it at 2-2 in the top of the fourth. Kingsolver led off with a single and took second on a wild pitch. Lippincott then singled to score Jake. Meanwhile, Joe Staten settled down and pitched 5 innings, giving up 5 hits and striking out 6.

The Rangers gave Staten the run support he needed in the top of the fifth, taking a 6-2 lead. Jelani Arnold singled, Aaron Armstrong walked, and Clint Wolf singled to load the bases. Steve Marshall then cleared the bags with a triple to right-center field. Joe Staten's grounder plated Marshall. Ben Schooler relieved Staten in the sixth. Schooler walked three and hit a batter. Mitch Jones singled in another run, but the Rangers got out of the inning without too much damage, leading 6-4 after six innings. The Rangers added some much needed insurance runs in the 7th, as with two outs, Wolf singled, Marshall singled, Staten had an RBI single, Robert Riley then doubled home two more, Kingsolver was hit by a pitch, and pinch hitter Jonathan Silverman drove in a run to make it 10-4. The Sox added one run in the 7th to make the final score 10-5.

Offensive highlights: Steve Marshall 2-for-6, triple, 3 runs, 3RBI; Joe Staten 2-for-7, 2 runs, 2RBI; Robert Riley 3-for-5, 2 runs, 2RBI, double; Jake Kingsolver 3-for-5, 2 runs, 3RBI, HR; Jonmarc Lippincott 2-for-6, 2RBI; Ben Schooler 2-for-5, double; Jelani Arnold 2-for-5, run; Clint Wolf 2-for-2, 2 runs.

Historical Notes: Shawn pitched his 3rd career shutout, tying him with Jacob Robinson for most all-time as a Ranger. His 28 career league wins places him third all-time in MVABL history. Joe Staten picked up his first win in 8 years. Joe Staten reached the 100 RBI plateau in the league and is 1 run shy of 100 scored in the league. Clint is 1 extra-base hit away from tying his previous season high of 23 in 2002. Clint is 2 hits shy of 300 league hits. Shawn is 13 innings shy of 500 career IP.