NBC World Series Game 4
Vienna Senators 6 Houston Apollos 5
The Apollos found themselves in a very close game at Word of Life complex in Meridian, KS.
Chris Ryan pitched an excellent 5 innings allowing 1 run and setting up three double plays. Charlie Aceto pitched 4 innings allowing 4 runs and failed to close out the game. Alex Dutka pitched the 10th and 11th doing well in the 10th but surrendering a run in the 11th.
Chris Kerstan lead the Apollos going 3-5 with a triple and two runs scored. Andrew Dunn went 4-6 with three sb and one run score... Dunn threw out a man at home plate and was thrown out at home plate. Andrew Gay was 2-3 with 1 run scored and a key rbi. The rest of the offense struggled with way too many strikeouts. Tom Cable, Brett Warkentine, and Dane Yelovich all struck out 3 times each.
With the scored tied 2-2 entering the 9th inning. The Apollos scored 3 runs and appeared to be in position to win leading 5-2 going into the bottom of the 9th. The Senators got 5 hits off Charlie Aceto in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game sending it to extra innings. Extra innings did not favor the Apollos with 12 players vs the Senators who had 25. Neither team scored in the 10th, in the 11th Andrew Dunn singled and stole 2nd and 3rd but was stranded with Dane Yelovich strikeout. In the bottom of the 11th the Senators lead off hitter tripled, forcing the Apollos to walk the bases loaded. After Dutka struck out a hitter the next hitter singled to end the game. The Apollos got out of many early jams and got two key outs at home plate. They could have won this game but were ultimately lucky to be in it. The 2006 season ends with 2 wins at the world series and a very strong offensive showing at the World Series.
NBC World Series Game 3
Houston Apollos 13 South Bay Saints 6
The Apollos blew the game open in the first inning batting through the lineup and scoring 5 runs. Manny Lujan scored 4 runs. Justin Ard continued his hot hitting going 2-4 with 3 rbi and another double off the fence. The Apollos continued the pressure and put the game out of reach in the 7th with 5 more runs. The Apollos got an excellent pitching performance from Mike Wilson who went 5-2/3 innings allowing 4 runs striking out 2 and walking 3.
Brandon Richey pitched 2-2/3 innings allowing 2 runs, walking 3 and striking out 1.
Andrew Boak pitched 1 inning not allowing a run.
NBC World Series Game 2
Hays Larks 20 Houston Apollos 10The Apollos took the field against the Jayhawk League Champions in the feature game of Monday Night. Alex Dutka gave the Apollos little chance allowing 6 runs in 1.1 inning. He was replaced by Tom Cable who competed but gave up one run per inning. Pierce Mulvaney pitched 1.2 innings allowing no runs. Chris Kerstan pitched 1/3 of an inning allowing 1 run. Andrew Gay finished the game pitching 2-2/3 innings allowing 7 runs. The great story for the Apollos was down 9-0 (and facing Notre Dame pitcher Sam Elam who was throwing in mid 90's from the left side) the offense exploded. In the bottom of the 4th the Apollos scored 7 runs mainly sparked by a Justin Ard 400' + home run that went into the Wichita Night. This rattled Elam who walked the next three batters. Andrew Dunn hit an infield single, Mike Wilson doubled, Justin Ard doubled. The Apollos would add more runs and proved they have the offense to play with the big boys. Hays has a very deep pitching staff and aspirations of winning the NBC World Series. The Apollos will attempt to win 1 possibly two more games for a good year. In future to compete with elite teams like Hays, the Apollos must bolster their pitching staff.
NBC World Series Game 1
Houston Apollos 12 Plaza Tire Capahas 4The Apollos got off to a great start lead by Justin Ard's second inning bases loaded triple. Giving the Apollos a 4-0 lead and Chris Ryan on the mound. The Apollos added to their lead in the 6th when Trey Roberson, Brandon Richey and Andrew Gay had consective hits to leave bases loaded for Ard, who drew a walk. Andrew Dunn sac'ed in a run leaving the score 6-1. Plaza Tire seriously threatened in the 7th scoring 3 runs on 2 hits and chasing Chris Ryan. Garrett Wiejak came in for the Apollos and stopped the threat with submarine strikes. The Apollos would finish off the game in the 8th with 5 hits and 5 runs, hits from Andrew Gay, Justin Ard, Chris Kerstan, Dane Yelovich and Chris Schmidt. This left the score 11-4 and out of reach. Chris Ryan pitched very effectively allowing 3 runs in 6 innings and getting two huge double plays from Andrew Gay and Brandon Richey. The 16 hits is an Apollos team record.
The Apollos finished the Big States League with a regular season record of 8-8
Game 19 Hornets 12 Apollos 6The Apollos offense came out solid lead by Tommy Denson's two run opposite field home run. The only home run hit by the Apollos and the first of Denson's career. Dane Yelovich got two hits scored two runs and stole three bases. Six runs usually wins games but without a presence on the mound the Apollos had little chance. The Apollos were depleated on the mound and sent Tim Flasik for the start. Flasik allowed 4 runs in 1-1/3 inning and was removed for Hank Casey. Casey gave up 5 runs in 2-2/3 innings. Only one of the runs was earned as he had very limited defensive support. Derek David pitched the final two innings allowing 3 runs.
Game 18 Hornets 5 Apollos 2The Apollos got off to a good start with Dane Yelovich's infield single and Derek David's double. Then Derek David singled in Tim Brown giving the Apollos a 2-1 lead. With two outs in the 3rd Manny Lujan struck with a 2 out flair that scored two runs and gave the Hornets the lead for good at 3-2. After the Apollos failed to score in the 5th the Hornets closer struck out 6 batters in two innings to end the game.
Manny Lujan hit a 2 run home run to put the game out of reach for the Apollos. Jared Smith pitched 5 innings allowing 3 runs and keeping the Apollos in the game. Hank Casey pitched one inning allowing two runs.
Game 17 Apollos 6 Hornets 5
The lighting and umpires were very bad but the Apollos stole a game from the Hornets. After trailing 5-0 in the 4th inning.
Andrew Gay started and threw 2 innings allowing 3 runs all after an outfield error. Alex Dutka finished throwing five innings striking out 5. In the 4th inning the Hornets pitched walked the first 4 batters then struck out the next three allowing one run. In the 5th Andrew Dunn walked to lead off and was driven in by Dane Yelovich who stole third and scored on a passed ball to leave the score 5-3. Hank Casey and was driven in by Andrew Dunn to leave the game 5-4 going into the 7th. Tim Brown lead off with a key hit, Dane struck out, Schmidt walked, Pfaff struck out, Hank walked and the ball got away allowing the tieing run to score. The pitcher was rattled and walked Denson and then Puskar to end the game.
Game 16 Apollos 6 Hornets 1
Chris Ryan threw 5 innings striking out 6. Mike Wilson pitched two innings striking out two despite allowing a home run to Hornets Catcher Manny Lujan.
The Apollos struck early and put the game out of reach in the first inning off the hard throwing Hornets Left Hander. Andrew Dunn walked stole second and scored on Mike Wilson's single. Tim Brown bunted and an errant throw scored Wilson and left Brown at Third. Derek David tripled giving the Apollos a 3-0 first inning lead with no outs. Dane Yelovich K'ed and Bob Pfaff lined into a double play to end the inning. In the 3rd Andrew Dunn bunted stole second, Mike Wilson walked and Derek David doubled Dunn and Wilson in. Hank Casey scored another run in the 6th on Andrew Gay's rbi single.The second game was rained out on Sunday between Louisiana College before it was called the Apollos were down 5-1 and Hank Casey hit a ball to the centerfield fence.
Game 15 Houston Apollos 5 Louisiana College 2
Chris Ryan started and went all 7 innings keeping the Apollos in the game. He walked 4 and struck out 4.
He got key defensive help from Hank Casey who turned two key double plays.
The Apollos went into the 6th inning down 1-0. Dane Yelovich lead off with a 3-2 walk stole 2nd and third and after Kevin Els struck out, Chris Schmidt slugged a single into the gap to tie the game. Louisiana College loaded the bases with walked and then struck out Jordan Puskar and Chris Ryan struck out to kill the Apollos rally. The Apollos broke it open in the 7th. Andrew Dunn reached on an error. Derek David slugged a double off a fence. Dane Yelovich singled in Dunn and David was thrown out at the plate. Kevin Els walked and Chris Schmidt singled in more runs. Jordan Puskar singled to give the Apollos a 5-1 lead. Chris Ryan got out of the bottom of the seventh allowing just one run.
Game 14 Louisiana College 7 Apollos 2Alex Sample started pitched all 6 innings allowing 7 runs. Andrew Dunn scored a run in the first inning on a wild double play throw to Chris Schmidt. Jordan Paskar scored a run
Game 13 Apollos 5 Louisiana College 2Ryan McVey dominated hitters pitching 7 innings allowing 2 runs in the bottom of 7th and striking out 8. The Apollos built a 5-0 lead on Chris Ryan's RBI single. Andrew Dunn's Rbi single. Dane Yelovich's 2 out 2 rbi single and scored on a pass ball. Louisiana College made a scare in the bottom of the 7th Mcvey struggled to get out of the inning. Dane Yelovich and Andrew Dunn each had two hits and walk and a run scored.
Game 12 Apollos 8 Houston Outlaws 1The Apollos busted out the box in this game scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Aided by the Outlaws pitcher walking 4 batters in a row and stolen bases by Derek David and Andrew Dunn and a clutch hit by David Garcia. Derrick Dalcour/Dane Yelovich were the games most outstanding players Derrick with a huge tag double play and a diving stab up the middle.
Derrick also hit a one hop double to the fence walked and scored a run. Derrick Dalcour lead off the 2nd with a double and was driven in by Dane Yelovich's sac fly. Dane didn't strike out on the day and had 3 hits.
The Apollos scored again in the 4th when Dane Yelovich singled in Kevin Hall who had stole third finally. In the top of the 7th already ahead 5-1 the Apollos wanted to secure a win, after Dalcour flyed out, Tommy Denson reached on error, Dane Yelovich doubled to the left over the left fielders head. Andrew Dunn singled in Denson and Dane putting the game out of reach. Derek David singled in Dunn to give the Apollos an 8-1 lead. Trent David (Derek David's younger brother) made his pitching debut for the Apollos. He allowed one run over two innings and struck out two. Chris Ryan pitched three innings in his old dominant form. He struck out three batters allowed two hits and didn't allow a walk. Tim Flasik pitched the last two innings and although allowing two hits got help from his Left Fielder Tommy Denson who shagged down two deeply hit fly balls to kill the rallys.
Game 11 Houston Outlaws 4 Apollos 2The Apollos really should not have been in this game. They only had three hits as a team and were down the entire game. But after Outlaws starter had dominant control, their flame throwing reliever walked 4 batters in the 6th, but the Apollos only scored one run on Dane Yelovich's direct steal of home plate. The reliever eventually struck out three batters in two innings but the Apollos had a chance to tie the game with bases loaded and two out. Kevin Hall grounded out to end the rally. In the 7th Derrick Dalcour lead off with a double followed by another walk to Chris Ryan. Dane Yelovich singled to drive in a run and left 1st and 2nd and no out. Andrew Dunn bunted. Hank Casey K'ed and David Garcia grounded out to end the game. The Apollos fought hard and almost stole a game where the Outlaws had 10 hits in 6 innings. Alex Sample started and went 4-1/3 innings allowing two runs and only walking two. Justin Loftin relieved allowing two runs in 1-2/3 innings.
Game 10 Apollos 7 Houston Outlaws 4The Apollos offense finally awoke in this game. After seeing their 2nd left handed starter of the day. Things started to work. Andrew Dunn hit a bloop single stole 2nd and scored on Derek David's 2 out rbi error. In the second the Apollos went to work. Dane Yelovich got on with a great bunt stole 2nd then Everett Evans walked. Chris Thomas bunted them successfully to second, however on the bunt, for some reason Dane attempted to score and was thrown out at the plate. Andrew Gay singled scoring Evans. Andrew Dunn singled, Chris Schmidt walked leaving bases loaded for Derek David. Derek deposited a 1-0 pitch in the left center field gap giving the Apollos a 4-0 lead. The Apollos would not score again until the 5th. Derek walked stole 2nd and scored on Hank Casey's second double to the left field fence. Jared Smith singled into both Casey and Dane with a huge two out hit leaving the score 7-0. Ryan McVey pitched 5 innings allowing just 1 run. Jared Smith worked the final two innings a very shakey manner allowing 3 runs on 4 hits with 2 walks, but managed to get out with a 7-4 win.
Game 9 Houston Outlaws 7 Apollos 1
The Apollos never got going after Tim Brown lined into a double play in the first inning. The Apollos lead most of the way 2-0. Derrick Dalcour and Mike Estrada combined for 5 errors up the middle giving the Apollos no chance to come back and the Outlaws stretched their lead. Andrew Gay started the game going 5 innings allowing 2 runs. Ramsey Nino pitched one inning allowing three runs. Alex Sample pitched the final inning allowing a run. Tim Brown hit the ball hard all three times and had a double and a single.
The Outlaws started left handed pitchers all 4 games and had left handed relievers as well. Their coach only recruits LHP to control running game and keep it tough on lefties. The Apollos/Outlaws series was a series were each team dominated the other in the games it won. It was split right down the middle.Game 8 Houston Heat 10 Apollos 5The Apollos never had a chance once starting pitcher Joseph Kantz decided he could not pitch do to stiffness in his arm 5 minutes before opening pitch. Jeramiah Alam started and walked 4 of the first 5 batters he faced and three 3 wild pitches. McVaney came on to relieve and did a great job, he allowed one run in the 2nd and then 2 in the 4th and another 3 in the 5th, but he was pitching on limited notice. Alex came on to get the last out and finally got it after allowing two singles.
Tim Brown and Chris Schmidt lead the way for the Apollos offense.
Brown hit the ball hard in all 4 at bats getting 2 hits including a bases clearing triple. Chris Schmidt got three hits including a triple of his own. Andrew Dunn had two hits and scored three of the runs. Dane, David Garcia and Chris Ryan also had a hit.
Game 7 Houston Heat 6 Apollos 2 The Apollos never had much of a chance in this game 4 of the first 5 batters in the first inning scored. Alex Dutka started and was in control after the first inning. Hard hit balls were over run first by Dane and second by Andrew Dunn for extra bases but the damage was done with solid contact by Heat hitters. The Heat came out hungry to avenge their losses. Alex Dutka pitched 4 innings allowing 5 runs. Tim Flasik pitched the final two innings allowing 1 run.
Offensively the Apollos did not have a baserunner off of the starting pitching in 4 innings. In the 5th they got a baserunner when Dane bunted for a hit. In the 7th inning Kevin Els singled and then Chris schmidt doubled. Andrew Gay doubled in both baserunners to prevent a shutout.
The Apollos did some amazing things in this double header at Klein Forest. Matt Valika struck out 4 times in 4 plate appearences. Andrew Gay decided to attempt a straight steal of home plate down 5 runs with two outs in the 5th inning. Then he decided to top that after his solid RBI double he attempted to steal third in the 7th inning down 4 runs. The pitcher wind milled and the play wasn't close. Clifton Siems decided to out do him in the second game by attempting the steal while pitcher was still in stretch down three runs in the 5th. It was a very poor showing from Apollos starting pitching on Sunday. Probably the worst ever. The Apollos offense was fair minus obvious base running mistakes by Andrew Gay/Clifton Siems.
Game 6 Houston Apollos 6 Houston Heat 5Keith Markum started for the Apollos allowing 1 run in two innings and escaping a jam. Hank Casey then pitched two scoreless innings. Chris Ryan entered and allowed 3 runs and Mike Estrada allowed a run and got a key double play and pitched a scoreless 7th for the win.
The Apollos scored their runs in the second inning and should have blown the game open. Hank Casey singled, Mike Averealo saced him to 2nd. Bob Pfaff singled in a run and Andrew Dunn singled in a run Manny Lujan grounded out to leave bases loaded with two outs as Heat escaped a jam. The Apollos scored again in 4th when manny Lujan walked and scored and Andrew Dunn's ground ball to shortstop. In the 5th the Apollos scored on back to back doubles by Pfaff and Averealo. Entering the 7th trailing by a run the Apollos rally was started by Derrick David's double followed by walking Hank Casey, Bob Pfaff a pitching change then a walk to Mike Averealo then another pitching change and a pass ball with Hank Casey scoring the winning run.
Game 5 Houston Apollos 4 Houston Heat 1Andrew Gay started and pitched 4 innings allowing just 1 run. Mike Averalo pitched two scoreless innings and Hank Casey pitched the final inning for a save.
Derek David singled in Andrew Dunn. Manny Lujan drew as bases loaded walk. The Apollos broke the game open in the 4th inning. Mike Estrada walked and Chris Ryan bunted him to second. Andrew Dunn doubled in the runners to give the Apollos a 4-1 lead. With a solid bullpen this was more than enough, Michael Arevealo and Hank Casey closed the door for the Apollos.Game 4 Deer Park Cardinals 8 Apollos 7 (11 Innings)Apollos split marathon double header with Cardinals... what seemed and many people thought was 13 innings was only 11. The Apollos and Cardinals continued their offensive drought. Each teams starting pitchers allowed 4 walks in the first inning plating 3 Apollos and 4 Cardinals. The Apollos took the lead with Molina's bunt single that was overthrown by the pitcher allowing two runs to score... and stretched the lead to 7-4 at the end of the 5th. But Jeramieh Alam could not hold the lead allowing 3 runs in the 6th before Hank Casey rentered...Casey pitched 5 scoreless innings into the 10th. He couldn't pitch the 11th and Mike Estrada didn't get an out before walking two batters and allowing a hit. Mike Estrada hit well in the first game but really cost the Apollos by hitting into a double play in the 9th. The Apollos only managed 7 hits in 11 innings. The Cardinals didn't manage much better but all in all it was a great series between two of best teams in Big States League
Game 3 Apollos 2 Deer Park Cardinals 0 (9 innings)- Alex Dutka pitched 5 innings hitless/scoreless ball combined with Joseph Kantz 4 scoreless innings as the Apollos finally scored in the top of the 9th to win game 1 from the Cardinals. Andrew Dunn lead the inning off with a double and was sac'ed over by Mike Wilson. Intentional Walk to Kevin Els brought Hank Casey to the plate who got a hit driving in winning run. Derek David then got a hit driving in Els to give the Apollos a 2-0 lead. Kantz closed it out and the Apollos won a game where neither top had any kind of an offense.
Game 2 Apollos 9 Deer Park Cardinals 6- Paul Goodwin started going three innings giving up three runs. Tim Flasik made his debut pitching one shutout inning getting a key double play. Hank Casey pitched the final three innings getting a huge line drive double play that eliminated a great Cardinals scoring chance. Casey pitched well mainly because he didn't walk a batter and he patience to sit threw the errors the Apollos infield dealt him. The Apollos woke up offensively with 5 consective hits in the third inning Dunn, Pfaff, Els, David, Casey. The Apollos scored three runs taking a 4-3 lead. The Apollos scored 4 in the 5th and took an 8-4 lead into a terrible 6th inning. The Cardinals leadoff hitter singled, then the next hitter reached. Then the Apollos 3rd Basema/SS made 3 errors on consective routine double balls...Not recording an out on any of the balls.Somehow the Apollos escaped the inning and got out of the 7th inning for the win. Kevin Els went 6-6 in his debut. The Apollos catchers had 10 hits in the double headers, with Els, Pfaff, and Denson.
Game 1 Deer Park Cardinals 7 Apollos 2-Opening day game did not start well for the Apollos giving up 3 runs on two errors and two walks before getting an out in the first inning. Jared Smith started for the Apollos as Paul Goodwin didn't make the game on time. He pitched two innings escaping only allowing 3 runs. Keith Markum threw 3 innings allowing 2 runs. Justin Loftin threw two innings allowing 2 runs. The Cardinals crushed the ball the score could have been much worst except for the Cardinals making some obvious base running errors. Kevin Els made his debut catching for the Apollos and went 3-3 for a double. Hank Casey singled and Bob Pfaff doubled. That was it for the Apollos offensively.
Houston Apollos Baseball Club= 7320 South Sam Houston Parkway East Houston, Texas 77075 713-898-1874 coastman14@yahoo.com