| Game Reports |
| Grays live to fight another day
Clarinda, Iowa – FCA beat the Omaha BJ’s Dugout 10-3 on Saturday night. FCA used a great start by Chad Culpepper (4-2) to avoid elimination. Culpepper started strong, recording his first five outs all by way of strike out. After the win, the Grays move to 20-24 overall.
The Grays started the scoring early, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Landis Wilson singled home Trey Karlen to give the Grays that lead. In the 3rd, Tanner Biagini singled home Trey Karlen to give FCA a 2-0 lead. The next batter, Josh Weaver, hit his third home run of the summer to give the Grays a 4-0 lead.
DJ’s Dugout came back to score three runs in the bottom of the 4th. Tim Jacoby provided the big hit for Omaha, a two out two-run single to creep within one run at 4-3.
FCA would take those runs back in the 6th. Biagini led the inning off with a triple to right field and Josh Weaver followed it up with an RBI single to left field scoring Biagini. Weaver moved to third base on a throwing error by the pitcher. Chris Lucius hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Weaver and give the Grays a 6-3 lead.
The Grays would extend their lead to 10-3 in the 7th when they scored four more times. They scored four runs while only collecting a single hit. Josh Weaver picked up an RBI on a bases loaded walk, Chris Lucius had an RBI single, and Bryant Palmerton drove in a run with an RBI groundout.
That is where the game would stay as John Little came in and pitched three inning of shutout relief. John Little picks up his first save of the season. Josh Weaver had a big day for the Grays, hitting a home run and driving in four runs. The Grays will play next on Sunday at 4:00pm in Clarinda, Iowa. They game can be heard live on fcabaseball.org.
Grays let five run lead slip away, loss Regional opener
Clarinda, Iowa – The Grays let a five run lead slip away in the 9th inning to drop the first game of the regional. The Omaha Diamond Spirit scored the winning run in the bottom of the 11th on a sacrifice fly to right field. The Grays move to 19-23 overall in the 2008 season.
The Grays put up an unearned run in the top of the 3rd to take a 1-0 lead. Landis Wilson hit a ball that the Spirit’s third baseman kicked allowing Trey Karlen to score from 2nd base.
FCA was held to only one hit through the first five innings. In the 6th, the Grays exploded for four runs on four hits. Tanner Biagini hit a sacrifice fly that scored Wilson to give the Grays a 2-0 lead. Two batters later Bryant Palmerton hit a three run homer to give FCA a 5-0 lead.
The Diamond Spirit came back with a single run in the bottom of the 6th on a Dan Hunter solo home run. FCA took their five run lead back in the 7th on an error by the Spirit’s first baseman that allowed Trey Karlen to score.
Zach Hile started the 9th inning and allowed two runs; Matt Horton came on to replace Hile with zero outs in the inning and the bases loaded. Horton struck out the next batter and then gave up a two run single down the left field line to close the gap to 6-5. The Spirit tied the score at 6 on a sacrifice fly off the bat of RJ Jerrick. All six runs where charged to Grays starter Zach Hile.
Zach Hile receives a no decision after pitching a brilliant game through 8. Hile pitched 8+ innings, striking out 3, and giving up six runs on 13 hits. Heath Groves was tagged with the loss and moves to 1-4 on the season. The Grays will play next at 5:00pm on Saturday evening in Clarinda. Grays drop rubber match in season finale
Beatrice, Neb – The Grays dropped their regular season finale to the Beatrice Bruins on Wednesday night. With the loss the Grays finish up the regular season 19-23 and 16-20 in the M.I.N.K..
Beatrice’s leadoff hitter Mark Ramos started the game with a home run that hit the left field foul pole. The Bruins wasted little time taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
FCA tied the game at 1 in the fourth inning, Brian Kolb knocked in David Hardt with a single just over the outstretched Devin Dageford.
Beatrice would regain the lead at 3-1 with two runs in the 6th inning. Devin Dageford stretched that lead to 4-1 with a solo home run in the 7th inning. The Bruins would add another run on a home run by Even Porter off of Grays reliever Steven Martinez.
Shelby Robertson pitched seven innings, striking out three, and giving up four runs on five hits. Martinez pitched an inning, striking out one, and giving up one run of two hits. The Grays start the regional on Friday night at 5:00pm in Clarinda, Iowa Grays split doubleheader in Beatrice
Beatrice, Neb – The Grays handed the Beatrice Bruins only their second loss at home this summer. Before Tuesday, the Bruins had neither shutout a team or been shutout themselves. Both happened on Tuesday, in game one, the Bruins won 7-0 and in game two, the Grays won 5-0. FCA moves to 19-22 overall and 16-19 in the M.I.N.K..
Game 1
The second batter Chad Culpepper faced, Evan Porter hit a home run over the right field fence. Darby Brown also knocked in a run on a RBI single to left in the 1st inning. As it did not take long before the Bruins had a 2-0 lead.
The Bruins added another run in the 3rd inning to take a 3-0 lead on a David Masters single to center. Beatrice extended their lead to 7-0 in the 4th inning. Chad Culpepper came in and got the first two out of the inning. Alci Gonzalez relieved Culpepper and walked the first two batters. Tant Shepherd then launched a three runs homer; the next batter Darby Brown laced a line drive home run over the center field fence.
The Grays struggled to get anything going with the bats in the first game. The Grays managed only one hit, two hit batters, and three walks. Grays starter Chad Culpepper was tagged with the loss and moves to 3-2 on the season. Culpepper worked 4.2 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on five hits. Alci Gonzalez pitched only a third of an inning, giving up 4 runs on two hits. Jon Bourassa came in and pitched a scoreless 5th inning. Brian Kolb got his first work of the season on the mound and worked a scoreless 6th inning, striking out two Bruins.
Game 2
The Grays came out looking like a different team in game number two. The Grays used three hits to jump out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Landis Wilson hit a two run double to the right center field gap that scored Trey Karlen and Zach Williams. Jon Ubbenga then knocked a single to center that scored Wilson for the third run of the inning.
In the 3rd inning, Trey Karlen coached a walk to start the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Karlen advanced to third on a groundout by Zach Williams. Landis Wilson gave FCA a 4-0 lead, knocking in his third run of the game on a sacrifice fly to left field.
The Grays were able to extend their lead in the 4th inning. Jon Ubbenga walked, Bryant Palmerton singled, and then David Hardt executed a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third with one out. Brian Kolb singled to left plating Ubbenga, giving the Grays a 5-0 lead.
Cale Johnson pitched a complete game shutout for his first win of the season. Johnson worked 7 innings, striking out four and giving up only five hits. Johnson retired thirteen of fourteen batters at one point in the game. The two teams will play the rubber match tomorrow evening in Beatrice at 7:00pm. The game can be heard live on the internet on fcabaseball.org by the voice of the Grays Rick Cole. Grays win in bizarre finish
Kearney, MO – The Grays beat the Kansas City A’s 6-4 in 8 innings, the game was cut short because of lightning. The A’s actually took a 9-6 lead, scoring five runs in the top of the 9th. But because the teams were unable to finish the 9th inning the results went back to the last completed inning, giving the Grays a 6-4 victory. With the win, the Grays snap a four game losing streak and move to 18-21 overall and 15-18 in the M.I.N.K..
The scoring got started early for both teams, the A’s took a quick 1-0 lead when they scored an unearned run off of Grays starter Zach Hile (4-1). The Grays came back and tied the game at one in the bottom half of the first on a throwing error that allowed Brian Kolb to score.
The Grays added four runs in the 2nd inning to take an early 5-1 lead. A’s starter Matt Curtis retired the first two batters he faced, Curtis then hit David Wachsmann and Kolb, walked Matt Horton, then hit Jon Ubbenga to force in a run. The only hit of the inning was a two run double down the left field line by Josh Weaver.
Kansas City would narrow the lead to 5-4 in the 6th inning. Joe Elowitz relieved Hile and gave up three runs on two hits. The Grays did add an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th. Matt Horton came in and pitched two innings to pick up his fourth save of the season. Brian Kolb continues to murder the baseball as he extended his hitting streak to 13 games and has hit safely in 20 of his last 21 games. The Grays wrap up their regular season with three games in Beatrice over the next two days. Grays drop third straight to Ozark
Kearney, MO - The Ozark Generals completed their sweep of the FCA Grays on Sunday afternoon with a 7-6 victory. The Generals won the season series over the Grays, 4-2. The loss drops the Grays to 17-21 overall and 14-18 in the M.I.N.K..
In the 3rd inning, the Generals scored three runs to jump out to an early 3-0 lead. A Josh Spradlin’s sac fly, and two RBI singles by Wes Platts and Erik Tennyson accounted for the three runs. FCA did come right back to take a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 3rd. Stu Schlemeyer, Zach Williams, Chris Lucius and Trey Karlen all had RBI singles in the four runs 3rd inning.
That is where the scoring would stand until the top of the 7th inning. In the 7th, Wes Platts had a two run double and Josh Spradlin had an RBI single as Ozark scored three runs to take a 6-4 lead. Like the 3rd inning the Grays came back, tying the game at 6 in the bottom half of the 7th. A two run single by the Grays first baseman Bryant Palmerton put the Grays right back in the game.
But in the 8th, an unearned run off of Grays reliever Jon Bourassa (0-2) sealed the victory for the Generals. Grays starter Steven Martinez pitched 4 innings, giving up three runs on five hits. Trey Karlen had a strong game going 3-5 for the Grays. The Grays will play their last home game on Monday verses the Kansas City A’s at Kearney High School. Kolb break record as Grays drop two
Kearney, MO – Brian Kolb broke the single season hits record on Saturday, but the Grays were unable to win either game verses the Ozark Generals. With the two losses the Grays fall to 17-20 overall and 14-17 in the M.I.N.K..
Game 1
The Grays started the scoring in the 3rd inning with two unearned runs off of Generals starting pitcher Reece Dodds. The first Grays run come in on a dropped pop up by the Generals second baseman. FCA took a 2-0 lead when Landis Wilson laced a double, driving in Jon Ubbenga.
Ozark came back to tie the game at 2 on a Andy Fuiten two-run homer in the top of the 4th inning. Bryant Palmerton knocked in Wilson with a single to give the Grays a 3-2 lead in the 6th.
The Generals would add three runs in the top of the seventh to take a 5-3 lead. That is where the game ended. Josh Weaver (0-1) threw a complete game in his first start of the season. Weaver struck out five batters and give up 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits.
Game 2
In game two again the Grays took the early lead, Brian Kolb scored on a dropped fly ball by the left fielder to gain a 1-0 lead. The Generals would score all three of their runs in the third inning. The big hit was a B.J. Underkofler double to right center that scored two.
The Grays would add one in the 7th on a Bryant Palmerton two out pinch hit single to draw within one at 3-2. The Grays got the tying run to third base but where unable to knock him in.
Shelby Robertson (2-3) got tagged with the loss, working 5 innings, striking out five, giving up 3 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits. Alci Gonzalez and Jon Bourassa each pitched an inning of scoreless relief.
The Grays will wrap up the three game series on Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm at Kearney High School. FCA will make up Fridays rain out verses the Kansas City A’s on Monday at 7:00pm at Kearney High School. Grays let lead slip away, fall to A’s in 11
Kearney, MO – The Kansas City A’s just kept chipping away at the Grays four run lead, coming back to beat FCA in 11 innings. The Grays miss out on an opportunity to get over the .500 mark for the first time in over three weeks. They fall to 17-18 overall and 14-15 in the M.I.N.K..
Preston Land knocked in Colin Murphy in the first inning, as the A’s took an early 1-0 lead off of the Grays starter, Cale Johnson (0-0). Kansas City missed out on an opportunity to open the game up when Jordan Owen grounded into a inning ending double play.
FCA sent nine men to the plate and scored all five of their runs in the 2nd inning. A’s starter, Nate Kerkhoff started the inning with strikeouts of Stefan Neece and Chris Lucius. Then the floodgates opened, as the Grays scored five runs with two outs. Trey Karlen singled and then stole second base, Jay White walked. David Hardt singled to right knocking in Karlen from second base to tie the game at 1. Matt Horton walked, loading the bases for Brian Kolb. Kolb extended his hitting streak to nine games with a single that knocked in two runs and gave the Grays a 3-1 lead. Stu Schlemeyer followed Kolb with a bloop double down the right field line to score two more runs, capping the five-run inning off.
Kansas City just kept chipping away, adding a single run in the third off of a pass ball. In the 7th, Jeff Lusardi led the inning off with a homer to center field to close the gap to 5-3. The A’s would add another run in the 7th to draw within one run.
Colin Murphy drove in pinch runner Dillon Hazlett to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth off of Grays closer Matt Horton (1-1). FCA would load the bases in the bottom of the ninth but were unable to knock in the winning run.
Tyler Anthony would score the winning run on a throwing error in the top of the 11th. Cale Johnson did not figure in the final decision, as he pitched 6.2 innings, striking out six, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on nine hits. Alci Gonzalez came in and threw 1.1 inning of scoreless relief. The Grays offensive star was Stu Schlemeyer who went 3-5 with 2 RBI’s, David Hardt and Trey Karlen also chipped in two hits apiece. The Grays will take on the A’s again tomorrow evening at 7:05pm at Kearney High School . Grays take two from A’s
Blue Springs, MO – The FCA Grays took both games of the doubleheader on Wednesday to even their record at 17-17 overall and 14-14 in the M.I.N.K.. The Grays got strong starting pitching in both games. In game one, Zach Hile (3-1) pitched six strong innings and in game two, Chad Culpepper (3-1) pitched 5.1 innings. The strong starts by Hile and Culpepper allowed the Grays bullpen to get some much needed rest. The Grays offense kept rolling as Tanner Biagini extended his hitting streak to 9 games. Brian Kolb also continued his hot hitting, as he has hit safely in 15 of the last 16 games.
Game 1
The Grays picked up their offense where it had left off on Tuesday in Clarinda. Brian Kolb led the game off with a single to center. Two batters later, Landis Wilson blooped a single into right that scored Kolb from second base, giving the Grays a 1-0 lead.
The only run Zach Hile gave up was in the 4th on a Jeff Lusardi RBI double to right. Kolb knocked in Chris Lucius on a RBI single to left field, giving the Grays the lead, 2-1, in the top of the 5th.
FCA would extend their lead to 7-1 in the 5th. Chris Lucius drove in two runs on a triple; Lucius continues to abuse the Kansas City A’s. Chris has 6 RBI’s in the four games against the A’s this summer. After a Jay White walk, Matt Horton laced a triple down the right field line. Lucius scored but White was tagged out try to score from first. FCA would take a 6-1 lead on a throwing error by the A’s catcher allowing Horton to score. Stu Schlemeyer single to center, plating Kolb, capping off the five run inning for FCA.
In the top of the 7th the Grays added another run to take an 8-1 lead. Tanner Biagini launched a solo home run, his 5th home run of the summer and his third in as many games.
Zach Hile pitched 6 strong innings, giving up only one run on six hits. Augie Matteo came in to pitch the seventh inning, giving up a solo shot to the first batter he faced, Jeff Lusardi. The A’s would add another run in the 7th on Riley Reynolds’ RBI single to center. The A’s weren’t finished in the 7th, as Preston Land launched a three run homer to get the A’s within two runs of the Grays. But that is as close as the A’s would get, as the Grays held on to win the first game of the doubleheader 8-6. Matt Horton came in to relieve Matteo with two outs and picked up his second save of the season.
Game 2
In the second game, the Grays used a four run third inning to take a 4-0 lead. Trey Karlen started the inning off with a sharp single to right, Brian Kolb followed up Karlen with an infield single. A throwing error on the A’s pitcher allowed both Karlen and Kolb to advance into scoring position. Stu Schlemeyer continued his good day with a RBI single to center. Kolb then came in to score on a wild pitch, giving FCA a 2-0 lead. Zach Williams singled to center moving Schlemeyer over to third base. The Grays took a 3-0 lead on a well executed double steal. Tanner Biagini singled to center plating the four run of the inning and giving the Grays a 4-0 lead.
In the 4th inning, Trey Karlen scored on a wild pitch to give FCA a 5-0 lead. Kansas City narrowed the lead to 5-2 in the 5th inning when they got two unearned runs off of Grays starter Chad Culpepper.
The Grays countered the A’s two runs with three of their own in the top of the 6th. A’s pitcher Michael Curly walked both Karlen and Kolb to start the inning. Karlen and Kolb moved up a base on the second double steal of the game for the Grays. Stu Schlemeyer hit a sacrifice fly to right to knock in his second RBI of the game. Landis Wilson singled to left, knocking in Kolb to give FCA a 7-2 lead. The Grays would add their 8th and final run on a balk.
But the A’s refused to go down without a fight, adding three runs in the 6th to close the gap to 8-5. The big blow came off the bat of Mike Garza who hit a two run homer. Alci Gonzalez relieved Culpepper and got the last two outs of the 6th. The A’s would add another run in the 7th, but Matt Horton came in and picked up his second save of the day and third of the season to clinch the doubleheader sweep.
The Grays will play host to the Kansas City A’s at Kearney High School on Thursday and Friday at 7:05pm. FCA will host the Ozark Generals this weekend to close out their 2008 home schedule. Grays drop another shootout in Clarinda
Clarinda, IA – It was daze-a-vue all over again for the Grays and A’s on Tuesday afternoon, as the teams finished 17-14 for the second time this week. In both games the A’s have come out on top, in the three games in Clarinda this season between the two teams there has been 85 total runs scored on 82 hits. Landis Wilson was one of the bright spots on Tuesday for the Grays as he hit two home runs. With the loss the Grays move to 15-17 overall and 12-14 in the M.I.N.K..
Clarinda got to Grays starter Steven Martinez early, scoring four runs on three hits in the 1st inning. Clarinda loaded the bases with zero outs; Stephen Davis’s infield single drove the first run for the A’s. A costly throwing error by the Grays allowed the second run of the inning to score. The next two Clarinda batters each produced outs that scored runs, giving the A’s a 4-0 lead.
The Grays did come back with one of their own in the top of the second. FCA loaded the bases with zero outs, Bryant Palmerton then knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice groundout, closing the gap to 4-1. In the 3rd inning, Landis Wilson hit a bomb over the center field fence to inch the Grays closer, 4-3.
However the A’s extended their lead to 5-3 in the 3rd inning on a wild pitch by Steven Martinez. But the Grays kept chipping away and eventually took the lead in the 4th inning. Jon Ubbenga drew the Grays within a run, 5-4 with a sacrifice fly to center field. The Grays took the lead 6-5 on Landis Wilson’s second home run of the game.
Clarinda regained the lead 7-6 in the bottom of the 4th on a double to left by Brandon Mikkelson. The flip flopping continued in the top of the 5th, as the Grays scored 3 runs to take the lead, 9-7. The Grays scored all three runs with two outs, Chris Lucius and Ubbenga each had RBI singles, and the third run scored on an error by the left fielder.
Clarinda again regained the lead, scoring four runs in the 5th to take an 11-9 lead. The big blow of the inning was a two out, three run double off the bat of Johnny Brummett. Brummett’s double knocked Martinez out of the game, bring in Jon Bourassa, Bourassa got the third out on a ground ball to Bryant Palmerton at 1st base.
The A’s would extend their lead to 12-9 with a single run in the 6th inning. FCA would add two runs in the 7th to close the gap to 12-11. Ubbenga knocked in a run with a double to deep left field and Matt Horton scored on an error by the left fielder.
Clarinda would get both those runs back plus one to take a 15-11 led in the bottom half of the 7th. Bourassa got the first two batters but then Johnny Brummett hit a two run home run to left and on the very next pitch Stephan Davis hit a home run to right.
The Grays added a single run in the 8th to close the gap to 15-12, on a Matt Horton RBI groundout to the first baseman. But Clarinda added two more runs on a Ryan Peterson home run in the bottom of the 8th to extend their lead to 17-12.
The Grays would add two runs in the 9th but would still come up short, losing 17-14. Steven Martinez was tagged with the loss and moves to 2-3 on the season. Martinez went 4.2 innings, walking eight batters and giving up 11 runs (5 earned) on six hits. Jon Bourassa pitched 2.1 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on two hits. Joe Elowitz pitched the 9th inning, giving up two runs on two hits. Every position starter had at least one hit for the Grays. Ubbenga had four hits and three RBI’s, Brian Kolb had 3 hits and four separate players had two hits apiece for the Grays. The Grays will play a doubleheader verses Mac-N-Seitz (Kansas City A’s) on Wednesday in Blue Springs, first pitched set for 2:00pm. Grays comeback to beat Kansas City
Blue Springs, MO – The Grays used a five run, 7th inning to comeback and beat the Kansas City A’s, 9-8. FCA trailed by as many as five runs in the game but refused to let the A’s beat them. The Grays offense exploded for 15 hits included 7 extra base hits. Tanner Biagini continued his hot hitting by blasting his 4th home run and driving in three runs. With the win the Grays move to 15-16 overall and 12-13 in the M.I.N.K. league.
John Little (0-4) struggled in the 1st inning, facing 9 batters and giving up three runs. The A’s used 2 hits and four walks to jump out to a 3-0 lead. In the 2nd inning, Cam Seitzer hit a home run to give the A’s a 4-0 lead.
FCA started to chip away at the lead in the 4th, Tanner Biagini laced a double to center driving in David Hardt to close the gap 4-1. The A’s would came back and extend their lead to 6-1 in the 5thon a two run double by Eric Cole. The Grays added a single run in the 6th on a Josh Weaver RBI double, to draw within 4 runs, 6-2.
The Grays would take the lead in the 7th, FCA used five hits to score five runs and take a 7-6 lead. Chris Lucius started the inning off with a single. Then the Grays used three consecutive doubles by Brian Kolb, Stu Schlemeyer, and Jon Ubbenga. Schlemeyer’s double drove in two runs and Ubbenga’s drove in another. Then with two out and Ubbenga on third, Biagini hit a blast to left giving the Grays their first lead of the game.
Kansas City would tie the game in the bottom of the 7th at 7. The A’s and Grays would swipe runs in the 8th, but the Grays would add the winning run in the 9th on a sac fly by Lucius.
Matt Horton (1-0) picked up his first win of the summer by throwing 1.2 inning of relief. Cale Johnson pitched 2.1 innings of relief, giving up two runs on three hits. Kolb, Biagini, Lucius and Stefan Neece had two hits apiece while Josh Weaver had three hits to lead the Grays. FCA will return to action in Clarinda, Iowa on Tuesday at 2pm. Robertson comes threw to help the Grays beat Topeka
Kearney, MO – Shelby Robertson (2-2) came up in a big way by pitching seven strong innings to help the Grays beat the Golden Giants. Tanner Biagini also launched a three run home run to provide the offense for the Grays. With the win the Grays move to 14-16 overall and 11-13 in the M.I.N.K..
The Golden Giants took a 1-0 lead in the 4th inning on a Brett Lisher RBI single. FCA came back to tie the game at 1 in the 5th inning on a RBI groundout by Brian Kolb.
The Grays would take the lead for good in the 6th. Zach Williams started the scoring on a double to centerfield that plated Jon Ubbenga. Tanner Biagini followed up Williams with his third home run of the summer to give the Grays a 5-1 lead.
Topeka added a single run in the 7th to close the gap to 5-2. The Grays would add an insurance run in the 8th on a Biagini double that scored Landis Wilson to give the Grays a 6-2 lead.
Matt Horton came in relief of Robertson and threw two innings of one hit baseball to pick up his first save of the summer. Kolb, Wilson, and Biagini each pitched in two hits to propel the Grays offense, Biagini also knocked in his summer high four RBI’s. The Grays will take on the Park City Rangers in a non-conference affair in Wichita at 2pm on Saturday. FCA will return home to Kearney High School on Thursday to play the Kansas City A’s at 7:05pm. Grays drop two games to Clarinda
Clarinda, IA - The offense was there but not the pitching as the Grays drop two M.I.N.K league games in Clarinda. Heath Groves received both of the losses and moves to 1-3 on the season. With the two losses the Grays fall to 13-16 overall and 10-13 in M.I.N.K. league action.
Before the regularly scheduled game, the Grays and A’s finished up an 11-11 suspended ballgame from June 4th. The A’s took the game quickly as they scored a run in the bottom of the 10th.
In the regularly scheduled game, the Grays jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st. Landis Wilson singled to right with the bases loaded to drive in two runs.
Jon Ubbenga knocked in a run on an infield single and Zach Williams hit his second home run of the summer to give the Grays a 5-0 lead in the 3rd inning.
Clarinda put a three spot on the board in the 4th inning to draw within two runs, 5-3. Johnny Brummett’s two run RBI double knocked in two of the three runs for the A’s.
FCA would get the three runs back in the 5th inning, taking an 8-3 lead. Tanner Biagini’s single to right knocking in Williams, Josh Weaver doubled home Biagini for the second run, and Bryant Palmerton singled home Weaver for the third run. Williams and Wilson both picked up their third RBI’s of the game to help the Grays take a 10-3 lead in the 6th.
Clarinda still had some fight left in them, as they scored one run in the 6th to draw within six runs. In the 7th, the A’s came storming back, scoring 7 runs to take an 11-10 lead. In the 7th inning, three Gray’s relievers combined to give up seven runs on eight hits.
The scoring was still not done as the Grays sent ten men to the plate and put four runs on the board in the 8th. FCA started the inning off with three singles and then where aided by Clarinda pitching as they walked in three runs. FCA led the game 14-11 heading into the bottom of the 8th.
Clarinda came right back in the bottom half of the 8th. Mike Ghutzman hit a two run home run off of Grays reliever Heath Groves to draw within one run, 14-13. Josh Krummel then tripled to the right center field gap to put the tying run at 3rd. Brandon Mikkelson blooped a single to right to tie the game at 14. Jon Bourassa relieved Groves, and loaded the bases on an infield hit and an error. Bourassa then walked Marc Mericle to force in the go ahead run. The A’s ended up putting six runs on the board to take a 17-14 lead.
Chad Culpepper (2-1) pitched a strong game but received a no decision. Culpepper pitched six innings, striking out 5, and giving up 4 runs on 3 hits. In two innings of pitching the Grays bullpen gave up 13 runs on 12 hits. Brian Kolb went 4-5, Zach Williams went 3-5 with a home run, triple and three RBI’s, and Landis Wilson went 4-6 with three RBI’s. The Grays will face Topeka tomorrow night at Kearney High School, first pitch is set for 7:05pm. Grays snaps skid verses Chillicothe
Ottawa, Kan - FCA snapped a three game losing streak on Wednesday night with a 6-2 win over Chillicothe. Zach Hile(2-1) pitched 7 strong innings to pick up his second win of the season. The Grays move to 13-14 overall and 10-11 in the M.I.N.K.. The 10 wins sets a FCA record for wins in their four seasons in the M.I.N.K league.
In the 2nd inning, the Mudcats scored their only run off Hile to take an early 1-0 lead. But the Grays came back with four runs of their own in their half of the 2nd. The big hit came off the bat of Stu Schlemeyer on a two RBI single to center.
Schlemeyer would pick up his third RBI of the game in the 4th on a groundout. Jay White picked up his second RBI on a bases loaded single to put the Grays up 6-1.
Zach Hile’s line was 7 innings, 5 strikeouts, and 1 run on 8 hits. Jay White had two hits including his first collegiate triple. Bryant Palmerton drew a walk in his return to action after a three week hiatus because of a hamstring injury. The Grays will return to action on Thursday in Clarinda. They will finish up a suspended game at 6pm before playing their regularly scheduled game. Grays drop third straight
Kearney, MO – The Grays dropped their third straight game on Sunday evening 10-4 to Joplin. The Grays bats where going early but quickly went quiet as the game went on. With the loss the Grays move to 12-14 overall and 9-12 in the M.I.N.K..
The Grays got themselves out to a fast start, scoring two runs in the 1st inning. Zach Williams knocked in a run on a groundout to the shortstop. Then Tanner Biagini launched his second home run over the center field fence to give the Grays a 2-0 lead.
Joplin came back in the 3rd inning to score four runs, taking a 4-2 lead. The Slashers scored the four runs on two hits, but where aided with four walks. The Grays would tie the game in the bottom of the inning on a two run RBI double by Landis Wilson.
Joplin would put a six spot on the board in the top of the 6th inning. The big hit was a two run single by Patrik Walsh, as the Slashers jumped out to a 10-4 lead.
Steven Martinez (2-2) gets the loss as he worked 5.1 innings and gave up 7 runs on 7 hits. Jon Bourassa and Heath Groves each worked a scoreless inning in relief for the Grays. The Grays will face Mac-N-Seitz on Tuesday evening at Kearney High School at 7:05pm
Grays beat Mudcats to win third straight
Chillicothe, MO – The FCA Grays used six runs in the first four innings to push past Chillicothe 6-2. The Grays used a combination of clutch hits and great pitching to beat the Mudcats. The win makes the Grays 12-11 overall and 9-9 in the M.I.N.K..
Grays got a run off Mudcats starter Aaron Meade in the 1st. Brian Kolb doubled to left to start the game but was thrown out at home trying to score on a Jon Ubbenga ground ball to third. Tanner Biagini stepped up with two outs and hit a blast to the right center field gap to score Ubbenga; Biagini was then thrown out trying to stretch it to a triple.
In the 2nd inning, Landis Wilson and Josh Weaver both got on via walks, a sacrifice bunt by Chris Lucius moved Wilson and Weaver up a base. FCA took a 3-0 lead when Jay White singled to center knocking in Wilson and Weaver.
The Grays would continue their hot hitting in the 4th, scoring three more runs to take a 6-0 lead. Matt Horton knocked in one on an infield single, the second run came around to score on an error by the shortstop, and the third run came in on a RBI single up the middle by Brian Kolb.
Chad Culpepper pitched brilliantly for seven inning but ran into trouble in the 8th. Culpepper loaded the bases and walked in two runs, narrowing the lead for the Grays to 6-2. Alci Gonzalez came in to relieve Culpepper with one out. Gonzalez was able to turn a 1-2-3 double play to get out of the 8th. Gonzalez pitched 1.2 innings of shutout relief to record his first save of the season.
Culpepper (2-1) pitched 7.1 innings, striking out 6, and gave up 2 runs on 5 hits. Brian Kolb continues hit hot hitting, as he extended his hitting streak to six games. During his six game hitting streak, Kolb has 14 total hits. The Grays will play a doubleheader at Kearney High School verses Beatrice on Saturday, July 5th. Weaver, Grays power their way past A’s
Liberty, MO – The Grays blew up for six runs in the 2nd inning, the big blow coming off the bat of Josh Weaver as he hit his second grand slam of the season to propel the Grays over Clarinda 10-6. Zach Hile pitched six and a third innings and pick up his first win, to even his record at 1-1 on the season. The Grays pull back to .500 with the win, evening their record at 11-11 overall and 8-9 in the M.I.N.K..
The Grays put two runs on the board in the 1st inning. Jon Ubbenga drove in the first run when he grounded out to the shortstop, giving the Grays a 1-0 lead. They would take a 2-0 lead on a Landis Wilson single up the middle.
The lead did not last long, as the A’s came out in the 3rd to put three runs on the board. Two runs came around to score on an Alex Johnson single, and the third run came on Leroy Urbina’s double down the left field line, giving the A’s a 3-2 lead.
The Grays exploded for six runs in the bottom of the 2nd to jump out to an 8-3 lead. The first run came in on a wild pitch, then Ubbenga singled to left to plate the 2nd run, and Josh Weaver hit a grand slam to cap the six run 2nd inning.
The Grays would add a single run in the bottom of the 6th when Josh Weaver knocked in his fifth run of the game on a RBI fielder’s choice. Clarinda would come back in the 7th to add three runs and draw within 9-6, but that would be as close as they would get.
The Grays got another strong outing from their bullpen, as Heath Groves and Alci Gonzalez combined for 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Brian Kolb and Jon Ubbenga had three hits apiece; Ubbenga also had three RBI’s. Josh Weaver had a huge game with two hits and five RBI’s. The Grays will take on the Junction City Generals at 4:05pm at William Jewell College on Wednesday. Grays top Topeka 6-4
Topeka, Kan – FCA stopped a three game losing streak with their 6-4 win over the Topeka Golden Giants on Sunday night. The Grays got ahead early and where able to hold on for the victory as the bullpen threw four innings of scoreless baseball. With the win the Grays move to 10-11 overall and 7-9 in the M.I.N.K..
The Grays used a three runs 1st inning to help jump start the offense. In the 1st inning, Brian Kolb led the game off with a single to right field and came around to score on Chris Lucius’s RBI triple. Lucius would come in to score on a ground out by Jon Ubbenga, giving the Grays to 2-0 lead. FCA would add their third run of the inning on a Josh Weaver single to center.
However, the Golden Giants came right back to tie the game in the bottom of the 1st. Topeka scored their three runs on two hits, three walks, one error, and a lost ball in the sun. The Grays would regain the lead with an RBI single to right by Tanner Biagini in the top of the 2nd inning.
Steven Martinez held Topeka in check in the 2nd and 3rd innings, but in the 4th the Golden Giants would tie the game at 4. Topeka did miss out on an opportunity to claim their first lead as they stranded the bases loaded.
FCA did come right back to take the lead with two runs in the 5th. Jay White laced a single into the right center field gap to score one, and Trey Karlen hit a double down the left field line to knock in the Grays sixth run.
FCA’s bullpen came up in a big way for the Grays as Shelby Robertson came in and pitched four innings of scoreless baseball. Robertson was helped out by his defense, as they turned three double plays behind him. Steven Martinez picked up the win moving his record to 2-1, and Robertson recorded his second save of the season. FCA’s offense was evenly spread out as every starter had at least one hit; Brian Kolb led the team with 3 of the teams 13 hits. The Grays will host Clarinda on Tuesday afternoon at 4:05pm at William Jewell College. Grays drop two to Chillicothe
Chillicothe MO - The Grays drop both games of the double dip verses the Chillicothe Mudcats, dropping their record on the season to 9-11 overall and 6-9 in M.I.N.K. league action. In game one, the Grays fell behind early and could not make it up, losing 9-0. In game two, the Grays dropped a lightning shortened game 3-1.
In the 1st game, Jon Bourassa received his first start of the summer for the Grays. The Mudcats got to Bourassa early, as Chillicothe scored a run in the bottom of the 1st inning on a RBI double by Dominic D’Anna . The Mudcats however did let a golden opportunity slip away, stranding the bases loaded in the top of the 1st as Jon Bourassa got Dallas Hord to chase a pitch for the third out.
In the 2nd inning, The Mudcats broke the game open with three runs. Chillicothe loaded the bases with no outs, Bourassa was then able to get TS Reed to pop out to Stu Schlemeyer at 2nd base. But Luke Schlechte laced a double down the first base line clearing the bases, giving the Mudcats a 4-0 lead.
Bourassa was able to send the Mudcats down in order in the 3rd and 4th innings, but ran into trouble in the 5th. Luke Schlechte led the inning off with a bloop double down the right field line, Schletchte came around to score on a RBI single by Tyler Knight. Chillicothe took a 7-0 lead on a RBI singles by Dallas Hord and Cole Mazurek. Mazurek’s single knocked Bourassa out of the game, Bourassa went 4.1 innings, striking out four, and giving up 9 runs (7 earned) on 8 hits. Joe Elowitz came in to get Zimmerman to pop out, but would allow 2 runs to score, both credited to Bourassa. All together in the 5th inning, the Mudcats plated 5 runs to jump out to a 9-0 lead.
Bourassa was tagged with the loss and moves to 0-1 on the season. Augie Matteo came in and pitched a scoreless 6th inning for the Grays. In his first at bats of the season Shelby Robertson had two of the Grays five total hits in the first game.
In the 2nd game, the Grays got on the board early. Brian Kolb led off the 1st inning with a single, stole second base, and came around to score on a Jon Ubbenga ground out. FCA gave starter John Little (0-3) a 1-0 lead before he stepped on the mound. Little would end up giving that run back to the Mudcats in the bottom half of the 1st. The Mudcats tied the game at 1 when they induced a balk by Little.
The score stayed tied 1-1 until the bottom of the third. Chillicothe scored two runs on three hits to take a 3-1 lead. That is where the game ended, as the umpires called the game due to lightning as the game was moving to the bottom of the 5th inning. The Grays will be in action tomorrow verses the Joplin Slashers at 7:00pm in Joplin. Grays fall to Bruins 10-3
Blue Springs, MO – The FCA Grays fell on Wednesday night to the Beatrice Bruins 10-3. The Bruins pounded out 10 runs on 13 hits against FCA pitching. With the loss, the Grays fall to 9-9 overall on the season and 6-7 in the M.I.N.K..
The Bruins got an early run off Gray’s starter Chad Culpepper. The Bruins loaded the bases with zero outs but only managed to score a single run in the top of the 1st. Culpepper was helped out with a ground ball double play off the bat of Darby Brown to get out of the inning.
The Grays scored two runs in the bottom half of the 1st inning to grab a 2-1 lead. The first run came on a ground ball fielder’s choice off the bat of Tanner Biagini. The 2nd run came around to score on a double laced to the right center field gap by Landis Wilson. The Grays also got a run in the bottom of the 2nd on a Brian Kolb RBI single to right field, giving the Grays a 3-1 lead.
Chad Culpepper (1-1) kept the Bruins lineup in check until the top of the 6th. In the 6th the Bruins plated three run to grab a 4-3 lead. Darby Brown and Daniel Adamson each had RBI hits to account for two of the three runs in the 6th. The Bruins would go on to add 2 runs in the 8th and 4 in the 9th to win 10-3.
Culpepper was tagged with the loss but did go six innings, striking out three, and giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits. Alci Gonzalez pitched two plus innings in relief, giving up four runs on four hits. Jon Bourassa pitched the 9th, giving up two runs on three hits. The Grays will be in Clarinda tomorrow night verses the A’s, first pitch set for 7:05pm. Groves complete game helps push Grays over the Generals
Junction City, Kan – Heath Groves pitched a complete game, striking out eight and giving up three runs on six hits as the Grays avoid the sweep with a 6-3 win. FCA’s offense was lead by Jon Ubbenga who had three hits and three RBI’s. Groves moves his record to 1-1 with the win, and the Grays move to 9-8 overall on the season.
Mike Rector hit his 2nd home run of the series to give Junction City a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd to get the scoring started.
The Grays came right back in the top of the 3rd. Matt Horton walked, and moved to third on a Trey Karlen bunt single and a throwing error on the 3rd baseman. The Grays tied the game on a fielder choice off the bat of Brian Kolb. Kolb stole second, then Karlen and Kolb came around to score on a single by Jon Ubbenga, giving the Grays a 3-1 lead.
The Generals came back in the bottom of the 3rd with one run of their own. Two bunt singles and a sacrifice bunt put runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out. A single just over the glove of Tanner Biagini drew the Generals within one, 3-2. Landis Wilson threw out a base runner at third and Heath Groves struck out Stewart Hoover to get out of the 3rd inning.
In the 5th, Matt Horton drew his second walked of the game with one out, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Trey Karlen. Horton then stole third and Brian Kolb walked, putting runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. FCA took a 4-2 lead when Matt Horton scored on the third error of the game by the Generals third baseman.
Jon Ubbenga hit his third single of the game to score Karlen to give the Grays a 5-2 lead in the top of the 7th inning. The Generals would score one run in the 8th to draw within two runs of the Grays, 5-3. The Grays would add another run in the top of the 9th to take a 6-3. That is where the game finished, as the Grays avoided the sweep.
The Grays return to action on Tuesday at Kearney High School verses Mac-N-Sietz, game time 7:05pm. Walk off home run in 11th lifts Generals over Grays
Junction City, Kan – Mike Rector hit a two-out, two-run home run to win the game for the Generals on Saturday night. The Grays had plenty of opportunities to break through, stranding eleven runners on base. The Grays had their leadoff batter get on in seven of the eleven innings. With the loss the Grays move to 2-2 in extra inning games and 8-8 overall on the season.
Junction City got the scoring started with 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. The first run came on a Zach Hile wild pitch and the second run came around the score on a RBI single off the bat of John Lenherr. Hile was helped by his defense as they turned two double plays behind him in the first two innings.
In the 4th inning the Grays got on the board. Jon Ubbenga hit the first pitch he saw over the left field fence for his second home run of the summer. But a base running blunder kept the Grays from putting anymore runs on the board, the Grays trailed 2-1. The Grays came back in the top of the 5th to tie the game at 2 as Shane Hopkins singled, Trey Karlen then walked, and Zach Williams hit an RBI single scoring Hopkins.
The Generals took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 6th on an RBI double to left by Tyler Metcalf. The Generals took a 4-2 lead when Alci Gonzalez came in to relieve Zach Hile in the 7th and gave up one run on two hits.
In the 8th, Ubbenga walked and then Landis Wilson launched his first home run over the center field fence to tie the game at 4. The game remained tied going into the 10th inning. Jon Ubbenga started the 10th inning off with a single and moved to third on a Tanner Biagini single. The Grays took the lead 5-4 on a ground ball double play off the bat of Wilson.
In the bottom of the 10th, Gonzalez got the first batter and then gave up a single to right. Selby Robertson relieved Gonzalez and gave up a double to Tyler Metcalf to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Cooper Stewart walked, loading the bases; Tyler Rush then hit a sacrifice fly to left tying the game at 5. Robertson then struck out Paul McCoy to move the game to the 11th.
In the 11th, Robertson got the first batter to fly to right field, he then walked Adam Muenster who advanced to second on a stolen base. Then with two out Mike Rector hit the walk off home run to seal the Generals victory, 7-5.
Zach Hile (0-1) did not figure in the decision, pitching 6 innings, striking out three, and giving up three runs on nine hits. Jon Ubbenga and Landis Wilson had big games for the Grays. Ubbenga had two hits, scoring three runs and Wilson had three hits with two RBI’s. Alci Gonzalez came in out of the bullpen and pitched three and a third innings, striking out five, and giving up two run on five hits in his first relief appearance of the summer. The loss goes to Shelby Robertson who moves to 1-1 on the season. The Grays and Generals will finish their series together on Sunday at 6:05pm. Grays fall to Generals 9-3
Junction City, Kan – The Grays left 9 runners on base as they fell to the Junction City Generals on Friday night. The Generals used five strong innings from starter Eric Gilliland and four innings of scoreless ball from their bullpen to seal the victory. With the loss the Grays fall to 8-7 on the season and 2-1 out of conference.
The Generals scoring started in the 1st inning on a wild pitch jumping out to a 1-0 lead. The Grays put two on the board in the 4th, Matt Horton walked with the bases loaded and Brian Kolb knocked in the second run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to right field.
The Generals tied the game at 2 in the bottom of the forth with an RBI ground out. Junction City would take the lead 5-2 in the 5th inning on a RBI double off the bat of Rob Vaughn. Josh Weaver then replaced John Little (0-2) and gave up an RBI double to John Lenherr. Brock Bailey then singled to left, plating the 3rd run of the inning. Little worked 4.1 innings giving up four runs on seven hits.
Junction City took a 9-2 lead in the bottom of the 7th, as the Generals scored four runs. The Generals used four hits, a hit batter, and an error to score the four runs. Josh Weaver went 2 innings giving up 5 runs on 5 hits, three of the runs where earned.
The two teams go at it again tomorrow at 7:05pm in Junction City and then again on Sunday at 6:05pm. Grays beat Southwest Elite 7-5
Blue Springs, Missouri – The FCA Grays beat Southwest Elite 7-5 to move to 8-6 on the season and 2-0 in non-conference games. Steven Martinez (1-1) threw 6 innings to pick up his first win of the season, and Jay White hit his second home run in as many games to help the Grays offense.
Southwest Elite started the scoring in the top of the 2nd on an RBI single off the bat of Kyle Hughes to lead 1-0. The Grays came back to tie the game with one of their own in the bottom of the inning on a RBI groundout by David Hardt.
The Grays put three runs on the board to jump out to a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the 3rd. Shane Hopkins knocked one in on a hit and run, and then two came around the score on a Jay White home run. The Elite would close the gap 4-3 when they scored two runs in the 6th. The Grays had their second three run inning in the 6th. Zach Williams had a two run RBI single to center, and Tanner Biagini followed Williams up with an RBI single to grow the Grays lead to 7-3. Southwest would add two runs in the top of the 7th but would not be able to get any closer.
Selby Robertson came in to get his first save of the season. The Grays have now won three of their last four and move on to a weekend series in Junction City, Kansas. The Grays will play three games in Junction City this weekend and will return home on Tuesday, June 24th verses Mac-N-Sietz. Offense, Shockey star in victory
Kearney, Missouri – Ben Shockey threw 8 scoreless innings, striking out 8 as the Grays toppled Clarinda 12-1. On Tuesday night the Grays got an all around effort from everyone as 8 different players scored at least one run. The victory moves the Grays over the .500 mark to 7-6 and 6-6 in M.I.N.K. league action.
The Grays got the scoring started in the bottom of the 1st, on a ground out to the shortstop by Jon Ubbenga scoring Zach Williams. In the 2nd, Jay White hit his first home run of the summer over the left field fence. In the bottom of the 3rd the Grays extended the lead to 3-0 on a pass ball that scored Brian Kolb.
In the 5th, the Grays sent 10 men to the plate, scoring five runs. Chris Lucius had a two-run triple that plated two runs to cap the five-run 5th inning. The Grays would come back and score three-runs in the 6th, on a wild pitch and sacrifice flies by Lucius and Tanner Biagini.
The win marks the first time this season that the Grays won a game by more then two runs. Ben Shockey moved to 4-0 on the season. Both Lucius and Ubbenga had three RBI’s, Ubbenga also had three hits in the victory. The Grays play next on Wednesday night at Hidden Valley in Blue Springs at 7:05pm verses Southwest. Grays bats go quite against Topeka
Topeka, Kan – The Grays could only mustered three hits in their 4-0 loss Sunday night in Topeka against the Golden Giants. They could only advanced two runners into scoring position the whole night, both times the runner was Brian Kolb. With the loss the Grays move to 6-6 on the season and 5-6 in the M.I.N.K..
The Golden Giants put two on the board in the first inning, the first on a Chance Tuttle fly ball to right field and the second on a single off the bat of Doug Otto. The Giants went on to score single runs in both the 4th and 5th knocking Alci Gonzalez (1-2) out of the game. Gonzalez went 4.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits.
The Giants pitcher Cole Armitage kept the Grays hitters in check. Armitage threw a complete game shutout, striking out 10 and only walking two. The one bright spot for the Grays was Brian Kolb who collected two of the Grays three hits. The Grays have Monday off and return to action Tuesday night in Kearney, first pitch slated for 7:05pm. Grays split doubleheader verses Chillicothe
Kearney, Missouri – The Grays won in the bottom of the 7th on a Josh Weaver infield single to take game two of the doubleheader on Saturday. The Grays dropped the first game 11-1, but came back to win the second game 7-6 verses Chillicothe. After Saturday, the Grays move to 6-5 overall on the season and 5-5 in the M.I.N.K..
In Game 1, the Mudcats got to Grays starter Zach Hile (0-1) early, scoring three in the first. The Grays did close the gap to 3-1 in the fourth on a RBI fielder choice groundout off the bat of Landis Wilson. But that is as close as the Grays would get. As the Mudcats score seven runs in the top of the 7th, the big blow coming on a bases clearing three-run triple by Matty Johnson.
In Game 2, it went back and forth as the lead changed four different times. The Grays scattered twelve hits over seven innings. The hits where spread throughout the team, as five different players had two hits apiece. Chad Culpepper struggled to find the strike zone throughout his 3.2 innings of pitching, walking four. The win went to Ben Shockey (3-0), who pitched two innings of scoreless baseball to help the Grays capture the win.
The Grays move on to Topeka on Sunday, as they face the Golden Giants at 7:00pm at Washburn University. The next Grays home game is 7:05pm on Tuesday night at Kearney High School. Lucius comes up big, as Grays win in 10
Kearney, Missouri - Chris Lucius’s three-run double in the bottom of the 10th pushed the Grays to a 9-8 victory over the Kansas City A’s. The Grays move to 5-4 on the season and 2-1 in extra inning games. Selby Robertson (1-0) picked up his first win of the season as he pitches 3 innings in relief.
The Grays got the offense going early as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the 3rd. Chris Lucius started it off with a single, and then moved to second on a Brian Kolb infield single. Matt Horton sacrificed bunted, moving Lucius and Kolb up a base. Jon Ubbenga singled to left plating both Lucius and Kolb. Then Stu Schlemeyer doubled to left, knocking in Ubbenga to give the Grays a 4-0 lead.
The A’s added two-runs in both the 6th and 7th, tying the game 4-4 as the teams moved to the 8th. The A’s grabbed the lead in the 8th on a RBI single off the bat of Colin Murphy. The Grays came right back with two runs in the bottom of the 8th. Tanner Biagini singled to right center scoring Ubbenga, David Hardt knocked in the second run on a single to center field, giving the Grays a 6-5 lead.
The A’s came right back, scoring a run in the top of the 9th, tying the game at 6. In the top of the 10th the A’s scored two run off of Selby Robertson to take the lead, 8-6. But the game was not over yet, as the Grays had some fight still left in them. Tanner Biagini started off the 10th with a double to right center field, and moved over to third on a Landis Wilson single. Trey Karlen pinch hit and drew a walk, loading the bases. Hardt and Jay White both struck out, leaving the Grays last chance to Chris Lucius. Lucius took a two strike pitch and drove it to the left center gap, allowing all three runs to score.
Jon Little (0-1) throw six strong innings, striking out five, and giving up two earned runs. Coming up big for the Grays where High School teammates Tanner Biagini and Landis Wilson who both had three hits. Up next for the Grays is a double dip verses the Chillicothe Mudcats starting at 4:05 at Kearney High School on Saturday. Grays drop one to the Golden Giants
Topeka, Kan – The Topeka Golden Giants timely hitting and good pitching proved to be too much for the Grays on Tuesday night, as the Grays fall 5-3. The game was moved to Topeka earlier in the day because the field at William Jewell College was deemed unplayable. The loss moves the Grays to 4-4 on the season and 3-4 in the M.I.N.K.. The Grays did however show some power, as five out of their eight hits where extra base hits.
The Giants put two on the board in the top in the 2nd inning on a two run triple by Chance Tuttle. However, the Grays came back with one of their own in the bottom half of the inning on a towering home run off the bat of Tanner Biagini.
The game would stay 2-1, until the top of the 7th when Chance Tuttle was driven in by a Doug Otto single. In the bottom of the 7th the Grays scored one on a Tanner Biagini triple to right field scoring Landis Wilson. In the top of the 8th, Heath Groves got the first two batters but then gave up three hits, the blow coming on a two run single to Chance Tuttle, pushing the Giants lead to 5-2.
In the 8th, the Grays tried to stage a comeback. Shane Hopkins singled, Matt Horton walked, and then Jon Ubbenga laced a double, scoring Hopkins. Brian Kolb pinch hit for Stu Schlemeyer, and hit a two hopper to the shortstop who came home with the throw and Horton was out on a hard slide. Tempers flared and the benched cleared, Jon Ubbenga was also thrown out trying to advance to third during the scuffle.
Steven Martinez (0-1) threw 5 innings, giving up two earned runs, but did walk four and hit two batters. Tanner Biagini went 2-4 with a home run and a triple, Shane Hopkins and Jon Ubbenga also had two hits apiece. The Grays move on to Clarinda for a match up on Wednesday night, slated for 7:00pm. Grays win in lightning shortened game
Kearney, MO – Zach Williams hit a two-run home run with one out in the bottom of the 5th to propelled the Grays to a 4-2 win over the Park City Rangers. This was the second game this week that the Grays were forced to end early because of lightning. The win pushes the Grays back over the .500 mark to 4-3 and 3-3 in the M.I.N.K..
The scoring got going early for both teams, the Rangers scored a run in the top of the first inning on a Jeff Reinke RBI single. Then the Grays came right back, when Brian Kolb scored on a ground out by Zach Williams. The Rangers would add another run in the top of the 2nd inning on a Jason Wysong RBI single, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead. The Grays would add an unearned run in the bottom of the 3rd to tie the game at 2-2.
The game stayed tied until in the bottom of the 5th, when Zach Williams crushed a line drive over the right center field fence to give the Grays a 4-2 lead. The game was delayed shortly after the Grays took the field in the top of the 6th inning.
Ben Shockey (2-0) received his second win this week. Shockey settled down and pitched nicely after struggling to find the strike zone the first two innings. Brian Kolb went 3-3, and Zach Williams went 1-3 with a home run and three runs batted in. The Grays will take on the Chillicothe Mudcats Monday night at 7:05pm at Kearney High School, weather permitting. Grays come up just short against Clarinda
Kearney, Mo – The Grays came up with three runs in the bottom of the 9th but just fell short against the Clarinda A’s, 6-5. The loss moves the Grays to 3-3 on the season and 3-3 in M.I.N.K. league action.
The Clarinda A’s got the scoring started in the top of the 1st inning. Keith Hustedt scored on a wild pitch and a Brandon Mikkelson single plated the second run of the inning, giving the A’s a 2-0 lead. The Grays would score their first run in the bottom of the 2nd on Jon Ubbenga’s first home run of the summer.
In the top of the 4th, Stewart Davis hit the first of his two home runs, and the A’s would also added another run in the 4th, building their lead to 4-1. The A’s would add a single run in both the 7th and 8th innings, jumping out to a 6-2 lead.
However, the Grays did fight back, scored their first run on an RBI double by Trey Karlen, and then two more came around to score on a Brian Kolb single to center. The Grays did have the tying run on third with one out but could not drive him in.Alci Gonzalez (1-1) got tagged with the loss.
The bright spots for the Grays were Brian Kolb who went 3-5 with 3 RBI and Jon Ubbenga who went 2-4 with a home run and a double. The Grays look to bounce back in their first non-conference action on Sunday, as the Park City Rangers come to Kearney High School, first pitch set for 5:05.
Karlen and Culpepper Come Through for Grays
Kearney, MO – The Grays sealed the victory over the Topeka Golden Giants in the bottom of the 10th on a Trey Karlen RBI single to right center. Early in the game, the Grays struggled once again coming up with the clutch hit, stranding 13 runners on-base. But with a solid pitching effort from left-hander Chad Culpepper, the Grays where able to muster enough offense to pull out Friday nights win. The Gray’s found themselves in a familiar spot Friday night. Friday’s game was the fifth straight game in which the Grays scored at least one run in the first inning.
The scoring started when Zach Williams came around to score in the 1st on an error by the Giant’s third baseman, Joe Hosey. The Grays would tack on one more run in the bottom of the 3rd on another error by the Giants, giving the Grays a 2-0 lead.
It was the Chad Culpepper (1-0) show most of the night. Culpepper however did not figure in the final decision, Chad went 8+ innings, striking out 5, and giving up 2 earned runs. Chad also picked off 2 Golden Giants on the base paths, giving him 4 total on the season.
The Giants would add a single run in the 7th on a Joe Hosey groundout. The Golden Giants added their second run in the top of the 9th on a one out RBI double down the right field line by Doug Otto.
Ben Shockey (1-0) got the win, working the top of the 10th inning. Also, Stu Schlemeyer went 3-5 with a stolen base. Up next for the Grays, is the Clarinda A’s on Saturday night at Kearney High School, game time set for 7:05. Game finished postponed
Clarinda, Iowa- Wednesday nights game between the FCA Grays and the Clarinda A's was delayed going to the top of the 10th due to lightning. The game was tied 11-11 going into the top of the 10th and will be offically finished on June 11th before the teams start their regularly schedule game. Up next for the Gray's is their home opener against the Topeka Golden Giants on Friday at 7pm at Kearney High School. Grays fall to Golden Giants in 12
Topeka, Kan – The Grays fell short Tuesday night, losing 5-4 in 12 innings to the Topeka Golden Giants. The Grays shot themselves in the foot most of the night, stranding 13 runners on base. They had the opportunities to break through but could not come up with the big hit. This is the second straight loss for the Grays, who fall to 2-2 on the season.
The Grays got the scoring started in the top of the 1st inning. Trey Karlen and Tanner Biagini walked and later came around to score on a Josh Weaver single to left field, giving the Grays a 2-0 lead.
The Giants added two in the bottom of the second on a ground ball off the bat of Mitchell Mathis and another on a Steven Martinez wild pitch, tying the game at 2-2. The Giants would add an unearned run in the bottom of the 5th on a Jamell Cervantez single to center.
The Grays would later add a run in the top of 7th when Dustin Holthaus walked Josh Weaver with the bases loaded to tie the game, 3-3. The Giants came right back and scored a run on a Texas league single by Drew Beiry in the bottom of the 7th to take a 4-3 lead.
The Grays still had life in their bats, tying the game in the top of the 9th on a Josh Weaver two out double to left, scoring Stu Schlemeyer from 2nd. But in the bottom of the 12th, the Giants won a soft single to right field off the bat of Kenny Burkhead that fell in front of Josh Weaver.
The loss went to Heath Groves (0-1) who throw 5.1 innings, striking out 6, and giving up 2 earned runs. Josh Weaver went 2-5 with 4 RBI’s. The Grays play next on Wednesday night in Clarinda, Iowa at 7pm. Grays fall in series finale
Ozark, Missouri - The FCA Grays fell short Sunday afternoon against the Ozark Generals, 6-2. With the loss, the Grays move to 2-1 on the season.
The Grays got on the board early, scoring a run in the top of the 1st. Zach Williams walked with two outs, and then stole 2nd base. Tanner Biagini followed it up with an RBI single to left; giving the Grays a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 3rd, the Generals broke through for three runs. Two of which were scored on a throwing error by the pitcher, John Little. The Generals went on to score one in the 5th, and two in the 6th. The Gray’s would add one in the top of the 8th, on a sacrifice fly by Landis Wilson.
John Little (0-1) threw 5 innings, giving up 2 earned runs, and striking out 4. Brian Kolb and Tanner Biagini each had two hits. The Grays play next on Tuesday night against the Topeka Golden Giants, game time set for 7pm on the campus of Washburn University. Grays take two from Generals
Ozark, Missouri - The FCA Grays kicked their season off on Saturday with a doubleheader in Ozark, Missouri. The Grays won both games of the doubleheader, 4-3 and 6-4. Showers early in the day had some questioning whether the games would be played at all. But the sky’s cleared and the teams where able to fit the games in as scheduled.
In game one, both teams got off to a slow start. But in the 4th, Matt Horton collected the Gray’s first hit, an infield single. Brian Kolb then sacrificed Horton over to second. Zack Williams walked, and Horton came around to score on a Tanner Biagini single to right. Williams would later score on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Landis Wilson, giving the Grays a 2-0 lead.
The Generals put one on the board in the bottom of the 5th, but the Grays answered back with two of their own in the top half of the 6th. The Generals would add two more runs in the bottom of the seventh to give the Grays a scare but would still fall short, 4-3. Chad Culpepper (1-0) gave up only 1 hit, but did walk six batters in his 4 innings of work. Culpepper got the win, Jon Bourassa got the save.
In game two, the Grays started where they left off. They scored two runs in the top of the 1st to jump out to a quick 2-0 lead. The Generals did bounce back scoring two of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The Grays led 5-2 after added three more runs in the top of the 2nd inning, capping off the big inning was Stu Schlemeyer’s two run double.
The Generals came within one run in the bottom of the 4th, when they added two off Alci Gonzalez. Gonzalez (1-0) struck out 4 and giving up 4 runs, in his 4 innings of work. Heath Groves came in and was lights out, facing only 6 batters in 2 innings. Matt Horton went 2-4, with two runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base. Gonzalez received the win and Jon Bourassa picked up his second save in as many games.
The Generals (0-2) and Grays (2-0) go at it again on Sunday. The game is set for 1pm at Price Cutter Field in Ozark, Missouri.
2008 Grays game reports starting May 31, 2008 vs. Ozark Generals... | 
