June 21, 2023 at 12:54 p.m.
Walk-off hit opens 2023 season for the Snowhawks
Walk-off hit opens 2023 season for the Snowhawks
By Brett LaBore-
"On a level of 1-10, it was a 10. The crowd was elated, something to do with being pent up all spring," player-manager Jeff Smith said. "We had a lot of fun with the crowd and with the game that was going on. It was a blast, it really was."
The Snowhawks have returned for their 62nd season. They started their campaign by mixing their team with Newswatch 12. The game featured over 40 runs including a walk-off hit by Snowhawk Derek Young.
"(Newswatch 12) comes with 15-17 people and that's hard to get them all in on one team. More of a competitive-type game and not that we're taking it that serious," Smith said. "Just for the fans more or less. It's a lot more fun to mix us all up. They like to play with and not against us so much, and I think it's a good icebreaker for the beginning of the season."
Picking it up in the top of the ninth, Newswatch 12, or Team Biggs, trailed by three runs. They needed a rally, all started by Cole Punches. He tripled to left field to get the inning started. Next, Devin Biggs followed that up with an RBI single to center.
Billy Kuckahn kept the rally going for Team Biggs. He singled to right-center. It seemed like nothing would deter them from at least tying the game. Dave Nance singled off the third baseman's hands to load the bases.
Nate Meihak had a big hit. He tied the game with a two-run double. The score was knotted up at 20-20.
Team Biggs didn't stop scoring. Nic Van Zile hit an RBI double to left that scored a run. Later, with two outs, Gunner Dunbar hit another two-run double to right-center.
Usually, the inning would have ended at 22-20 due to the maximum five runs being scored. However, with it being the ninth inning, both teams agreed to keep playing until the third out was recorded. There was no limit of runs.
When all was said and done, Team Biggs settled for a 23-20 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
It wasn't enough.
The Snowhawks, or Team Weaver, opened the bottom of the ninth with five straight batters reaching. Smith singled to short. Matt Weaver drove him in with some top base running by Smith. Sol Mayer singled to put runners on the corners.
Jesse Robinson and Team Weaver caught a break with a drop in the field. A run scored to make it a 23-22 game. Young came to the plate with two on and no outs.
Young had the walk-off hit. He hit a ball to right field that landed in play after it was tipped in the air. Mayer scored the tying run before Robinson rounded the bases with the winning run.
"I'm just trying to get one in the outfield and hopefully we score a run or too," Young said. "It's gonna be a good season."
"I happened to be on first and looking around (at the) athletes in the outfield, and I gave him a good sign, and he went with it," Smith said. "He was laughing so hard afterwards. I didn't think that would work. He hit the ball exactly where we wanted him to hit that. That was a lot of fun."
Team Weaver beat Team Biggs 24-23 on opening night in Lake Tomahawk. They did so in front of a record crowd.
"I think the community is waiting for this to get good. That was actually a record opening crowd, never had that one that big before. I think a combination of the weather and everyone waiting to come to the game," Smith said. "I'm looking forward to it. Good for the community and all the businesses and good for visitors themselves - enjoy something on Monday night, look forward to something going on."
Down a couple of players, the Snowhawks are looking forward to being at full health soon in what should be another exiting season in Lake Tomahawk.
"We're down about three guys. One out for the year, two are hurt right now (for) another week or two. We should be full strength by the Fourth of July," Smith said. "But I'm anticipating a good season really. We've got a couple new players - Jesse Robinson coming back now for full year and a couple other guys, and they're going to be half the year with us."
Some other highlights from Monday's contest included a three-run home run from Gunner Dunbar in the top of the fourth inning over the right field fence. He hit a total of three home runs in the game.
Season preview
Newswatch 12 was just the beginning of another loaded scheduled for the Snowhawks this summer. Some other top matchups include Zimmy's All-Stars on July 24 and Bucketheads Dazzle Demons on July 31.
New to the schedule are Wickman Construction on July 10 and Black Bear Bar on July 17.
"Black Bear Bar is new, team from Thursday night, a young team. Good hitters, fast on bases. We don't anticipate it (being) a blowout, but they've won a lot of games on Thursday night league. But I think with our speed on shoes, I think we'll be OK as long as we hit the ball," Smith said. "That's the whole thing is hits. And then Wickman Construction and I'm not too sure about what they're going to bring."
The annual July 4 game against the Chicago Allstars will take place on a Tuesday this year.
"They've been playing since February. They're ready. I know they're seasoned by the time they come here. We're just getting going here. We'll try our best to match them up and that's all we can do," Smith said. "Heck of a challenge. Always a good game, being the Fourth adds that much more."
Our very own Lakeland Times gets a shot at the Snowhawks with a game on Aug. 14. The season finale will take place Aug. 28 vs. Lake Tomahawk Tap House.
Games take place every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Snowshoe Park in Lake Tomahawk.
One of the new things this year is having a race between two kids with snowshoes around the bases between innings.
"(We're) picking an age group every night and kids run around the bases. One goes one way (and) the other goes another," Smith said. "That's fun, and we got some throwaways - inflatable bats and some balls."
Up next, the Snowhawks (1-0) take on the local police/fire departments on Monday, June 26.
Brett LaBore may be reached at [email protected] or [email protected].
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