The Exporters opened the spring season by exploding for 15 runs in the first inning with everyone getting at least 1 hit. Then the team coasted to an 18 - 5 victory over Crystal City Restaurant on a night marred by strongly blowing winds...
Game 2 saw pitching by committee. When Glen could not be located at the start of the game, Jason took the mound. He was relieved by Shawn O'Donnell seeing his first action on the mound. Finally, Glen was brought in to close the game. Randall had the team hop on his back and carried the team to their second win by pounding three consecutive homers for 8 RBIs. He finished by stabbing a hot grounder at third base for an unassisted out to end the game.
It was an interesting night with the high winds causing pitches to break 3 feet or more. It also caused havoc in the outfield.
2) U.S. Exporters vs Big Sticks played on 04/11/16Exporters Get Kessler Split with Big Sticks
The Exporters remained undefeated by gaining a win and a tie against last season's champion, Big Sticks.
Adequate defense and a strong offensive finish won game 1. In the nightcap, the Exporters showed grit by overcoming a 13 run deficit to manage a tie. It was a game we probably should have won except for two bad base running lapses and a missed call in three consecutive innings.
After falling deeply behind early, the team fought back and never gave up. In the third, Glen got thrown out at third for the last out trying to stretch for an extra base. In the fourth, the umpire, in a very delayed call, called Brian out claiming the hit ball had hit him on the foot near second base when he saw the ball change direction. However, the ball actually hit a crater in the mud near the base where many deep footprints created a very rough infield. Even more odd was that the call was not made until after Brian had crossed the plate. In the last inning, Sean ended the game by getting caught in a rundown between second and third to end the game. He represented the winning run. Still we were happy to come out of the night with a win and a tie against the champs.
The Exporters started strong and then the offense faded until the final inning of game 2. But it was too little too late. Defensive lapses proved costly in the nightcap.
4) U.S. Exporters vs Courthaus Social played on 04/25/16A short-handed Exporters had to play the evening with only 9 men. That led to defensive difficulties. Both physical and mental mistakes by every player were taken advantage of by Courthaus.
After starting very slowly, the Exporters fought back in the last inning to make the first game somewhat respectable, including a towering grand slam by Randall. However, time had expired preventing an historic rally.
In game 2, the flat play returned. Randall also had to play through an injured hand that forced him to bat from the left side.
5) U.S. Exporters vs Fighting Penguins played on 05/16/16The Exporters opened the night with solid hitting across the board. We went station to station rather than using the long ball until the last inning when Randall hit a 3 -run shot. We ended the game flashing the leather with a double play.
In the nightcap, we gave them extra outs in the field and base running lapses gave them rally-killing outs. Going into the 5th inning we were down 6 runs with only 5 minutes left. There was a quick first out, a single, then a 2-run homer by Jason. Randall then hit the first pitch over the left field fence, but it was our 4th homer and an out. With 2 outs and under 2 minutes to play we had to make a strategic decision--hope to bat around the order for the win or make a quick out to start a new inning. Nick decided to hit a towering shot over the left-center fence for another out and keep the game going. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. The Penguins extended their lead with four more runs in the top of the inning and we failed to score in our final at bat in the bottom. However, we did manage to give them their only lose of the season.