WILD ONE IN COLLEGE STATION

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) The Dirty Snakes are back in the championship. Following what can only be described as a sloppy, wild win 14-9 over Beta Athletics, the Snakes celebrated on their home field and now await the winner of FIJI and Pikes contest that is to take place later in the evening. The undefeated Snakes have already beaten some big odds, getting past the reigning league champion Betas and their rock-solid ace Tater in the win-or-go-home first round of the playoffs. Chris Clark epitomized his bend, dont break mentality by working around some early jams, even giving up a slew of runs, but finished strong to earn the complete game win and propel his squad to the finals. It was a storybook ending for the Snakes star pitcher. Despite struggling at the plate, his final pitch of the game was smashed right back up the middle, which he cradled in his stomach to record the final out of Betas season. Heck of game. Not our cleanest, by any stretch of the imagination obviously, but in the playoffs its all about doing whatever it takes to keep the season going, Snakes manager Sam Schmeltz stated after the game. The guys showed some guts out there, playing the game that was on the field and not losing their cool when things started to get away from us. Real proud moment for us. The evening didnt start off great for the Snakes, as Clark gave up a lead-off triple, which Betas Tater followed up with a two-run inside the park job. After giving up quick two-spot, the inning didnt exactly turn around. A single and three pitch walk pointed towards an early exit for Clark, but a fielders choice and a 5-4 double play ended the inning. The bottom of the first was when controversy struck. Consecutive singles by McClafferty* and Clark set the plate for Snakes lighting-rod first baseman, Joe Laurel. He promptly drove the first pitch he saw well over the outfielders heads, and scampered around the bases to take a 3-2 lead for the Snakes. The celebration was cut short as fans and Joe himself saw the umpires huddled around his bat behind home plate. He was then called out for using an illegal bat, bringing back memories of George Brett and his pine tar from years ago. While he was not thrown out and went on to hit two more dingers, he didnt do himself any favors in the eye of the public, with this coming just when the steroid accusations had begun to fade from the scope of national media. Bull**** man. Straight bull****, Joe said defiantly, after a reporters question quickly ripped the smile off his face. I didnt do ****, theyre just hatin. Two more long balls, though, so whos laughin now? The scoring started shortly after. It was 4-2 in favor of the Snakes when they exploded for six runs in the bottom of the third. A two run homer by rookie Blake Mathis made it 8-4 and Joe followed with his first of two legitimate homers to extend the lead to 8. Shock struck the fans in the top of the second, however, when veteran right field Cabot White slowed up and allowed what could have been one of his patented diving grabs to fall in for a single. With Whites injury history, the speculation immediately began to swirl that maybe he tweaked something or his heavy drinking had caught up to him with age. He remained in the game, however, and addressed the

play after the game. Its just one of those things, White said. Every guy in the league will tell you they give it their all on every play, but Im going to be honest. Im getting up there, and with only one season left the ol body starts to catch up with you. Ive dealt with nagging injuries throughout my career so maybe it was just instinct to let up, but luckily Chris made some pitches and sat down the next couple guys. As if the game wasnt strange enough, in the top half of the third, following a routine ground out, third baseman Matt Tucker announced Our defense is much better than last week, much to the dismay of his teammates and manager. Misfortune was avoided for now, as the next Beta hitter flew out to the steady glove of Taylor Thorne in center. In the following inning, shortstop Charlie McClafferty* made a slick play on a ground, but it was dropped by the veteran second baseman, Thomas Reckling. The reaction from the crowd was divided: half chanted retire at the much-maligned Reckling who it is rumored forced himself into the starting lineup over super-prospect Jurikson Profar, and the other half were screaming obscenities at young Tucker for cursing the gloves his teammates. This jinx would prove costly, as the Snakes gave up 5 unearned runs off 5 errors (2 by Tucker himself). Strong pitching by veteran Clark, solid defense from centerfielder Taylor Thorne and a great play at the plate by Aldo Sordelli were enough to help the Snakes hold on, though, which helped Clark be able to laugh about the misfortune that struck as Sordelli was almost thrown out on an embarrassing fall at third. Yeah thats Aldo for you, the captain chuckled. Seems like he makes a boneheaded play like that every week, but it is what it is. Sometimes its a good distraction for me on the mound, a little mental break. The Snakes were more than happy to clinch tonight, because it now sets up the rotation to allow Chris Clark to take the hill against the winner of the FIJI/Pike matchup later this evening. And for Beta, theyre headed into their longest offseason in three years. NOTES: Snakes 2B Thomas Reckling committed two errors, matching the split AAA/major league season total by youngster Jurikson Profar, who it is rumored he forced out of the lineup. The first pitch was thrown out by hometown hero William Crump, bassist for the world famous Doc Ellisons. He wound up and fired a strike to Snake legend Chris Douglass.
Sam Schmeltz Dallas Morning News