Week in Review: Week Six

June 18th, 2017

By Steve Marowski

Utica — In the sixth week of the 2017 USPBL season, the Utica Unicorns defeated the Westside Woolly Mammoths and the Eastside Diamond Hoppers to stay at the top of the league standings. The Diamond Hoppers and Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers also picked up victories this week.

Thursday, June 15: Eastside Diamond Hoppers 5 vs. Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers 3

The Eastside Diamond Hoppers defeated the Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers, 5-3, with help from two-run home runs from John Menken and Mark Krueger.

Krueger also had an RBI single in the first inning and finished the game 2-3 with a walk, a run scored and three RBI’s.

Beavers first baseman Nic Wilson was 2-5 with two RBI’s.

Friday, June 16: Utica Unicorns 4 vs. Westside Woolly Mammoths 3

Unicorns shortstop Brett Balkan was 3-5 with a run scored, and right fielder Chris Cruz was 2-4 with a walk and a run scored in their 4-3 win over the Westside Woolly Mammoths.

Mammoths third baseman Kent Blackstone hit a two-run home run in the top of the third inning. Blackstone would finish the game 2-5 with a run scored and two RBI’s.

Clay Ardeeser and Taylor Grzelakowski each had a sacrifice fly for the Unicorns. Relief pitcher Sean Gustin threw a four-out save to secure the victory.

Saturday, June 17: Utica Unicorns 17 vs. Eastside Diamond Hoppers 15

In a slugfest at Jimmy John’s Field, the Utica Unicorns defeated the Eastside Diamond Hoppers, 17-15.

Taylor Grzelakowski was 4-6 with two home runs and four RBI’s, and Chris Cruz was 2-3 with two home runs, five RBI’s and three walks.

Diamond Hoppers third baseman Casey Chenoweth was 3-4 with two RBI’s and two runs scored. Kam Stewart was 1-4 with a home run, two walks and three RBI’s.

Sunday, June 18: Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers 10 vs. Westside Woolly Mammoths 1

Nic Wilson was 2-3 with two home runs, two walks and four RBI’s, and Kevin Matthews threw six quality innings on the mound in the Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers 10-1 victory over the Westside Woolly Mammoths.

Conrad Kovalcik was 1-2 with two RBI’s and Alex Maloney was 2-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

Matthews gave up one unearned run and one hit in his outing. He struck out nine Mammoths batters while walking just two.

Offensive League Leaders

AVG: Brett Balkan, .426

HR: Taylor Grzelakowski, 6

RBI: Chris Cruz, 17

Pitching League Leaders

Wins: Jeremy Holcombe, 4

Strikeouts: Kevin Matthews, 36

ERA: Kevin Matthews, 0.45

Upcoming Games

Thursday, June 22, Utica Unicorns vs. Eastside Diamond Hoppers, 7:05 p.m. (Vintage Baseball Night/Utica Recognition/Thirsty Thursday)

Friday, June 23, Westside Woolly Mammoths vs. Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers, 7:05 p.m. (Fireworks Friday presented by XFINITY/Blackjack the Border Collie/Oakland University Night)

Saturday, June 24, Westside Woolly Mammoths vs. Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers, 7:05 p.m. (WCSX Classic Rock Saturday and Riverwalk Fireworks at Dark)

Sunday, June 25, Eastside Diamond Hoppers vs. Utica Unicorns, 1:35 p.m. (Power Rangers)

Standings

1. Utica Unicorns 11-6

2. Eastside Diamond Hoppers 9-7

3. Westside Woolly Mammoths 7-10

4. Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers 6-10