September 6-7

The nightcap at the ballpark on Wednesday night started shortly before 9:30 and wasn't over until almost 11:45, the Barnstormers won 3-2 to earn a split of the evening's activities (and on a side note I'll just say what I've said many times: I lived this life for thirty-five years and I don't envy anyone involved under those circumstances). On Thursday we were back in the heat and humidity for the series' rubber game, the visitors from northern New Jersey took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Ryan Casteel hit a solo home run in the second, in the fourth Trayvon Robinson walked and scored on a wild pitch to tie the score. Somerset responded loudly with a five-run fifth inning to go up 7-2, the Stormers got two back in the sixth on Rico Noel's two-run double scoring K.C. Hobson and newcomer Stephen Perez (formerly of the Washington Nationals organization). The Patriots added an insurance run in the eighth and won it 8-4, John Anderson was the Stormers' pitcher of record. On Friday the homestand continued but I was in another stadium about a mile away for the start of my 31st year on the mic at McCaskey. The Red Tornado hosted Reading High in a non-league contest, the 2017 game in Reading was one of JPM's two victories. There was lightning in the area, by rule we were required to wait until all was clear. Once the teams were allowed on the field there was some rainfall during the warmups but by kickoff at 7:15 (fifteen minutes late thanks to the delay) it was all gone. JPM trailed 7-0 at the quarter but a three-touchdown salvo in the second gave the Home Team a 21-10 lead at the half. It was 21-17 after three, two more JPM touchdowns in the fourth put away a 34-17 win. Returning wideout Jamiere Gray was the game's #1 star with four touchdowns, three on receptions from quarterback Isaiah Thomas and the fourth on a 100-yard interception return. Running back Isaiah Jackson rushed for a touchdown and kicker Sam Hershey added four PATs (the fifth attempt failed due to a bad snap from center). The boys improve to 1-2, the next home game is on the 28th against Penn Manor. Take care, thanks for reading.