Baseball in October !!    Coats, blankets and stinging fingers !!   The BSS Bruins took to the field (unlike the Cards and Cubs) for a rematch against Bank of Springfield.    It was 8-6 Bruins after 4.   But BOS lit us up for 5 runs in the 5th and 1 in the 6th to take the game 12-8.

After falling behind in the 5th, the Bruins unveiled their secret weapon, bringing in perennial outfielder, mighty Casey Sheehan, to close out the inning. Sheehan rose to the occasion, striking out the next two BOS batters to end the inning.  Sheehan then kept it tight in the top of the 6th giving up only 1 run, while striking out the BOS #2 and #5 hitters and getting the BOS #3 hitter to pop out to John VonBehren at 1st base.   But the BOS hitting stopped the Bruins cold in their last at bats, striking out the side with Tom Newell stranded at first base.   

 Big hits of the night were had by Newell in the 3rd who singled to center after VonBehren and Anton Katalinich drew walks to drive in VonBehren for the first Bruins run of the night.   Facing BOS’ “tall” pitcher in the 4th, the Bruins put 7 runs on the board. The runs started coming in with singles by Jacob Wear and Greg Larson. Joey Huddleston drew a walk, Sheehan was hit by a pitch and VonBehren walked to load the bases.   Brooks Fortune then smacked a double to the center field wall clearing the bases. Jack Duncan kept the rally alive reaching base on an error. Katalinich then sent one up the middle to drive in the 7th BSS run of the inning.  

Defensive highlights started in the 1st with Duncan making a nice 5-3 put out to a stretching VonBehren to end the inning. In the 2nd, starting pitcher David Wasser made a nice put out back to Huddleston at second on a grounder back to the mound.  The 3rd inning saw Greg Larson make two back-to-back tough throws from the hole at short over to VonBehren at 1st to rack up two outs. The 4th inning saw middle reliever Jacob Wear strike out 3 straight BOS batters for the only shutout inning of the game.  The 5th and 6th inning saw Casey’s dynamite pitching, as assisted by VonBehren’s glove.   A hats off also to Wasser who made a heck of a throw to the plate from left field, almost nailing the BOS runner.  

For those interested in learning the pick-off move to first, sign up for Casey’s winter classes.    For those interested in perfecting their umpiring skills, sign up with Casey’s brother A.J. who will be lecturing on the “tie goes to the runner” rule.

With the City and the Park Board trying to figure out whose in charge, the teams would like to thank BSS alumnus A.J. Sheehan and Michael Wasser for umpiring this winter sport.

Weather permitting, our last game will be Thursday October 17 at 6 p.m. at Schlitt against Little Flower.   Look for another outing by mighty Casey !!