The Apollos had a very successful fall season with a real basic formula. Establish the run and Score 10 runs in a game and the Apollos win, don't score 10 and you will lose, the Apollos went 8-0 in games they scored 10 runs and lost both games they did not score 10 runs. The Apollos set team records with 68 stolen bases in just 13 games. The Apollos offense was well balanced from hitter 1-10 with great production from all 4 newcomers. Anthony Covent hit .410 and stole 7 bases with 16 rbi's to lead the newcomers. Kevin Cosgriff Hernandez played very solidly at first base and as a relief pitcher while giving good at bats all season. Jared Tipps hit really well as a reserve catcher and Chris Carter got into full swing in the 2nd half of the season. Tim Brown and Chris Schmidt were offensive leaders providing the complete package of power defense and speed for the Apollos hitting 3 home runs a piece and stealing 11 bases a piece. Schmidt played excellent 2nd base and Brown played excellent center field. When Tommy Denson and Mike Wilson appeared in games they were very solid, Denson calling a real solid game. Manny Lujan took the Fall off offensively but managed to contribute defensively at shortshop..Original Apollo Kevin Hall retired. Mike Wilson was by far the dominant pitcher, with Sonny Terrazas and Alex Dutka working their way back into shape and not being ready, Josh Krikstan threw the most innings despite giving up a lot of runs helped the Apollos. Chris Ryan, Andrew dunn and Kevin Cosgriff also threw out of the bullpen for the Apollos.
Game 12 Championship Game Apollos 14 Houston Rockies 4In a new format for HMABL the league went to 4 vs 3 winner vs 2 and winner 1. So the Apollos being the one seed played one game for the Championship and sent Championship Game Veteran Mike Wilson to the mound for his third Championship Game start in team history. Wilson did not disapoint throwing all 9 innings and only allowing 4 runs. The Apollos stole 9 bases as a team and spread the scoring out throughout the game for the Fall HMABL Championship. Mike Wilson was named team MVP.Game 11 Apollos 16 Houston Braves 7
The Apollos took to the field in 40 degree weather needing to win their last game to secure the #1 seed for the playoffs. The Apollos pitchers had problems walking batters. As a team the Apollos walked 15 batters which is by far the worst number ever in team history. But somehow the Braves were unable to capitalize. Kevin Cosgriff started for the Apollos going two innings walking three and striking out four allowing just one run. Sonny Terrazas pitched two innings allowing 3 runs walking 4 and striking out 3. Chris Guthrie pitched one inning and couldn't complete the second walking 5 and striking out 2. Andrew Dunn pitched one inning walking 2 and striking out 3. The Apollos stole 8 bases. The Braves pitcher walked 10 Apollos. Andrew Dunn, Tim Brown, Karl Johnson, Chris Schmidt, Anthony Covent and Jared Tipps all scored two runsGame 10 Apollos 20 Rockies 6
The Apollos scored 9 runs in the first inning to seal this game. Mike Wilson went 2-2 and pitched two innings. Alex Dutka pitched a scoreless inning. Josh Krikstan pitched 4 innings allowing 6 runs. The Apollos had 16 hits and were held scoreless by a Rockies reliever in the 3rd and 4th inning. Anthony Covent and Chris Schmidt had three hits a piece. Karl Johnson hit a home run with a wooden bat.
Kevin Hall announced that he would be retiring after this game.Game 9 Apollos 16 Houston Braves 4Mike Wilson started the game going three innings striking out 5 and not allowing a run. Chris Guthrie came on to pitch 3 innings, and was hammered for 4 runs in his first inning but didn't allow a run after that. Guthrie didn't walk a batter. Alex Dutka ptiched one scoreless inning.The Apollos took a 3-0 then 7-0 lead before the Braves made it 7-4, the Apollos scored 9 runs in the 6th inning to seal the game. Anthony covent stole 4 bases as a courtesy runner.Game 8 Houston Apollos 15 Houston Braves 7
The Apollos and Braved played 9 on 9 in sub 50 degree weather at Northbrook. Tim Brown, Andrew Dunn and Chris Schmidt continued to lead the way for the Apollos offense all three got on base in all 4 at bats and stealing 2 bases a piece. Tim Brown and Chris Schmidt each hit their 3rd home run of the season. Tim Brown and Andrew Dunn scored 4 runs a piece. Chris Carter got two hits and improved his hitter and Kevin Cosgriff also gave solid at bats. The Apollos took a 11-1 lead into the 4th, Josh Krikstian cruised through the first three innings and then gave up 7 hits and 6 runs in the inning before being removed. The Braves got as close as 11-7. Andrew Dunn pitched the last 1-1/3 inning not allowing a run.
Game 7 Houston Apollos 16 Houston Titans 3
In the first ever meeting between the Apollos and the Titans the Apollos established the walk and the run after not playing a game in a month. As Titan pitching walked 9 Apollo batters in 7 innings as result the Apollos stole 6 bases. The Apollos were lead by Chris Schmidt, Kevin Cosgriff and Tommy Denson. Schmidt homered, doubled, walked, stole a base, scored two runs and would have had a sac fly but Gutherie left third base early. Kevin Cosgriff went 3-3 with a nice 2 rbi double. Tommy Denson 3-4 with three singles and a walk. Anthony Covent went 3-3 with a walk. Andrew Dunn scored 4 runs. The Apollos sent men's league veteran Josh Krikstan to the mound Krikstan. Krikstan threw 4-1/3 inning allowing three runs and spreading 5 hits and 2 walks over his outing. Alex Dutka pitched the final 1-2/3 innings striking out three and battling his control after layoff.
Game 6 Houston Apollos 3 Kingwood College 3In a game that was agreed would be no longer than 5 innings. The Apollos struggled got off to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning, Jared Tipps singled, Anthony Covent doubled, then Chris Ryan hit a key 2 rbi triple and Chris Carter drove in Ryan with an EBI single. Those three runs would be all the Apollos would get. EJ Johnson took the mound for the Apollos and pitched three solid innings before tiring in the 4th, Andrew Dunn relieved and got out of inherited jam in the 4th leaving the score 3-1. In the bottom of the 5th Tim Brown booted a lead off ground ball, Kingwood College would get two hits to tie the game. Dunn struck out the last batter to preserve a tie. Jared Tipps and Dunn each had two hits.
Game 5 Houston Apollos 7 Kingwood College 6In a game that would require extra innings. The Apollos beat the Rough Riders. Sonny Terrazas started and went 5 innings allowing two runs in a solid appearence. Then Chris Carter pitched to two batters walking both of them. Manny Lujan came on to retire the side, but couldn't get out of the 7th, leaving the bases loaded and the score 6-3, Chris Ryan entered allowing a bases clearing double and struck out the side. Despite the umpires the teams agreed to go extra innings. Manny Lujan lead off the inning with a walk and stole second, he advanced to third on Jared Tipps Sac Fly. Karl Johnson grounded out to third. Andrew Dunn singled in Lujan to give the Apollos the lead. Tim Brown walked and Chris Schmidt struck out to end the inning. Chris struck out the side for the win
Game 4 Rockies 12 Apollos 9
Justin Loftin gave up 8 runs in 2-1/3 inning and the Apollos never caught up in this game. Tim Brown and Andrew Dunn were held hitless, somehow the Apollos rallied for 5 runs in the 5th and almost tied the game. The Apollos lose two games in one week scoring 8+ runs. The bullpen/pitching staff is to be questioned.
Game 3 Metro Astros 12 Apollos 8
The Apollos luck finally ran out against the Metro Astros. The Apollos took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and pushed the lead to 4-0 in the third inning. The Astros hammered back and scored 7 runs in the 4th and 5th to take a 7-4 lead. Tim Brown's homer made the score 7-5 and then with the Apollos down to their final out in the 8th they managed to score on a Tim Brown single and Jared bleeding hit and a Chris Schmidt two out two run homer to take what appeared to be a 8-7 lead that would win the game. But the Apollos lack of bullpen would cost them the game Josh Krikstian retired the first hitter in the 8th before allowing a single and was removed for Sonny Terrazas who gave up a singled and walked the next two batters to load the bases with one out. Then he threw a wild pitch to allow the tieing run, He got a line drive to centerfield for the 2nd out before surrendering a game ending walk off grand slam homer to end the game. Chris Ryan pitched 3-1/3 inning allowing 3 runs. Josh Krikstan pitched 4 innings allowing 5 runs. Sonny Terrazas pitched 1/3 of an inning allowing 4 runs for the loss. Tim Brown continued to lead the way for the Apollos but the Apollos with 3 hits and two runs. Chris Schmidt doubled and homered.Game 2 Apollos 15 Katy Braves 4
The Apollos slammed the Braves starter with the first three hitters getting hits and with 8 runs in the first two innings including Manny Lujan's first homer. Manny Lujan, Tim Brown and Andrew Dunn had three hits. Mike Wilson was held hitless for the first time in recent memory. Jared hit his first homer as an Apollo. Josh Krikstan made his fall debut for the Apollos. And pitched 4 shutout innings with three strikeouts and alot of fly balls. Jason Thompson came on for relief work but struggled with control and did not get out of inning before allowing three runs. Kevin Cosgriff made his pitching debut going 2-1/3 inning only allowing a solo homer.
Game 1 Apollos 10 Metro Astros 9
The Apollos opened their 2006 Fall Season with a new field Northbrook High School and a new schedule Tuesday and Thursday and the toughest opponent the Metro Astros and managed to win a six inning 10-9 game that saw Mike Wilson hit a grand slam, steal three bases, pitch two innings and steal home to win the game. Sonny Terrazas started for the Apollos but gave up 6 runs in 2-2/3 innings before giving way to Brandon Hutson who gave up two runs in 1-2/3 inning and Mike Wilson gave up one run in two innings. The Metro Astros first baseman did almost all the damage with two home runs and 5 rbi's, 4 of the runs the Apollos surrendered were to walked batters. Trailing 6-3 in the bottom of the 4th Mike Wilson hit a grand slam to give the Apollos a 7-6 lead. The Astros came back with a three run homer of their own in the 5th. Tim Brown tied the game in the bottom of the 5th with a Homer of his own. Wilson singled stole second reached to third on a sac fly. The Astros then walked the bases loaded to pitch to Chris Carter who struck out. Then Anthony Covent was at the plate, Wilson stole home on the 2nd pitch...Anthony Covent, Chris Carter, Kevin Cosgriff made their Apollos debuts.