July 7, 2022 at 9:02 a.m.
Snowhawks fall to Chicago All-Stars
All-Stars' Brandon Maize hits three home runs in 22-17 slugfest
Snowhawks fall to Chicago All-Stars
By By Trevor Greene-
Conditions were damp as the Snowhawks and All-Stars faced off for the 14th time on a rainy Monday evening.
The final score was 22-17, after what looked to be a blowout came down to a nail-biting finish when the Snowhawks flipped their caps upside down and notched five runs in the ninth.
To start, though, the All-Stars brought their bats. Brandon Maize hit a home run in the second with four runs to follow to establish an early lead.
The All-Stars offense continued to apply pressure well into the game. They hit their stride, scoring 14 runs between the third, fourth and fifth innings, with Matt Richards hitting a home run and Maize hitting his second in the third.
Maize was dominant while scoring four total times - three of which were homers.
For the Snowhawks, the first inning was a quick three-up-three down offensive showing, but they started to gain a little momentum in the second.
Ryan Showalter was the first to score for the Snowhawks and Brent Cella followed suit. Jesse Robinson hit the Snowhawks' only home run of the night in the second, as well.
The Snowhawks proceeded to score four runs in the third, but only three runs total from the fourth inning to the eighth. Meanwhile, the All-Stars outscored them by 11 during that same stretch.
Winning the 14th edition of the rivalry between the Snowhawks and the All-Stars was special for All-Stars' player coach Mike Maize. His late father, Ron, loved the game and was very passionate about it.
"One of the things for this year was my dad ... he passed in December," Maize said. "So we played last night's game for him. He lived for this game. We had to win, otherwise he would have heard about it at the bar (afterwards)."
Maize also praised the Snowhawks and the community of Lake Tomahawk. He said the trip to the Northwoods is sort of like a family reunion because of how close the players are with each other and residents of the town.
Speaking to the game, he said watching the Snowhawks attempt a comeback was exciting not just for him, but for everyone else involved; the fans especially.
"That's kind of what makes it fun," he said. "When it's a blowout you don't want that. But they fought back hard and they made it a game, so it was a lot of fun."
The Snowhawks' player/coach Jeff Smith echoed much of what Maize said in terms of the relationship and mutual respect both teams have for each other.
"It's been a real special bond between us two teams," Smith said. "They're a part of this community like any other, and we really enjoy playing them."
For a while, the two teams would play each other twice a year, but due to scheduling difficulties, doing so has been hard in the last few years.
The Chicago All-Stars, Smith said, know they're invited up to the Northwoods every year, and the game is one the Snowhawks will continue to look forward to year in and year out.
With regard to the All-Stars play, Smith believes they're tough because of how serious the team approaches the game. They play year-round, he said, and have grown into a team that "knows how to hit."
"From a defensive standpoint it's frustrating, but it's fun to watch because they're that good," he said.
On the contrary, Smith thought hitting was the Snowhawks' biggest downfall Monday. If they wanted to be victorious, out-hitting the All-Stars was what needed to be done.
That was not the case, however, as the All-Stars recorded 34 total hits compared to the Snowhawks' 25.
"I think we're faster on the snowshoes," Smith said. "So a lot of times we'll get the extra base, but they just hit you to death. And now they got a couple of power hitters. Years ago, those kids were a little younger and weren't quite as big; they've grown up to be some fine young kids that can really pound the ball out there."
Speaking to the Snowhawks' rally in the ninth, Smith said as a player he enjoyed it and also welcomed the pressure.
"We needed me and a couple other guys to get some hits at the very end and it just didn't happen," he said. "There's other times it does, and it's what happens. The ball just doesn't bounce your way sometimes."
The Snowhawks will be back in action on Monday, July 11, at Snowshoe Baseball Field at 7:30 p.m. They're set to take on the Bucketheads Dazzles Demons, a team Smith said hits the ball pretty well, too.
Trevor Greene may be reached via email at trevor
[email protected].
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