Game Day Gazette
May 18, 2026
Based on today’s weather, it looks like summer is just around the corner. Hot and humid was the order of the day with a stiff wind blowing towards home plate creating havoc for the outfielders. Forecast for the rest of the week doesn’t look good for ball on Thursday but as we know the weather in Texas can change on a dime so stay tuned!
Game 1 8:30 a.m. Orange (3-2-0) vs. Gray (4-2-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Orange- not to skip ahead but the Orangemen put up the highest run total of any game this season in today’s tilt with the league leading Gray squad. Terry Thompson showed the way with a leadoff double down the left field line. Jack Adams drew a walk and Bobby Miller followed with a line drive double to right to score the first run. Jim Foelker drilled a single through the 5/6 hole to score both runners. Steve Kendig grounded a single past Jeff Broussard to keep things going. Barry McRee dumped a single into shallow left to bring in Jim with the 4th run. Adam Gordon was retired for the first out, but Jerry Mylius lined a single to right to drive in Steve with the 5th run. 2nd – P Ray Pilgrim was able to retire the first two batters in the 2nd, getting Bubba Barnett to ground out to short and Luther Elmore on a line drive back to the mound. Orange only picked up one mercenary for today’s game, but they plucked a gem out of the bucket in Jim Aaron (nice to see you back, Jim). Jim started a two-out rally with a hard single up the middle. Terry launched a flyball over Lynn Simpson’s head in left center for a run-scoring triple. Jack smacked an RBI double to right field for the 2nd run. Bobby kept the hit parade going with a booming triple to center field to score Jack. Jim duplicated his previous at bat with a sizzling grounder through the 5/6 hole to bring Bobby around to score. Steve launched a double to center to score Jim with the 4th run. Ray was able to retire Barry on a grounder to short to end the inning with Orange up by nine runs.
Gray– facing unfamiliar territory (being behind), Gray showed their champions mettle by responding with nine runs of their own to knot the score. Scott Wright opened the frame with a clean single to right center. Phil Stanch followed with a grounder to 2B that Bobby was unable to make a clean play on, so all runners were safe. Mike Carroll lashed a single over Jack Adams head in shallow center to load the bases. Peter Atkins drilled a hard grounder to short, but the ball skipped over Jim’s glove for an RBI single. Ray Pilgrim popped out to the catcher for the 1st out. Lynn Simpson lifted a pop fly to right center, but Jim Foelker was unable to secure the ball after a lengthy run, and it fell in for a run-scoring single. Jeff Broussard popped out to 2B for the 2nd out. Larry Coons came through with a bases loaded single to center to drive in two more runs. Gray was missing some key players for this game including Gary Coyle and had to draw three mercenaries (Jack Spellman, Patrick Schmidt and Morris Carter) to complete their lineup. Jack flew out to Lynn in left center to end the inning. 2nd – The lower third of Gray’s lineup made a huge contribution in the 2nd. Patrick Schmidt singled to center, and Morris Carter broke out of his recent funk at the plate with a bloop single to shallow center. Later arriving Gray regular, David Safely, ripped a double to right center over Jack Adams to plate two runners. Scott singled to move him to 3B. Phil bounced into a fielder’s choice out at 2B, but David scored on the play. Mike laced a single to left center to move up the runner. Peter singled up the middle to load the bases. Ray smacked a single to left center to bring in two runs to tie the score at nine apiece.
End of 2nd Score: Gray 9 Orange 9
Third Inning Recap:
Orange– continued to get production up and down the lineup as the Creamsicles put up another five-run inning in the 3rd. Adam used his speed to reach on an infield hit to start the frame. Jerry singled to right as Adam advanced to 3B. He scored on Bubba’s single to right. Luther looped a single to left but Jerry was forced out at 3B for the 1st out of the inning. Jim A. drove in the 2nd run with another base hit up the middle. Terry flew out to left center on a nice catch by Lynn as his sacrifice fly plated the 3rd run. Jack singled to right and Bobby followed with a blast over Phil’s head for a bases clearing two-run double.
Gray- P Terry Thompson managed to slow down the potent Gray attack in the 3rd, holding them to a single run. Lynn and Jeff led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Larry flew out to left as Lynn smartly advanced to 3B on the out. Jack line out to 2B for the 2nd out. Patrick lined a single down the 3B line to score Lynn. Morris bounced into a fielder’s choice out to retire the side.
End of 3rd Score: Orange 14 Gray 10
Fourth Inning Recap:
Orange– with his team now trailing by four runs, P Ray Pilgrim was able to limit Orange to two runs to keep this one close. Jim F. continued to rake as he smoked a double to left center to kick things off. Steve flew out to CF for the 1st out. Barry drilled a single to left to bring Jim around to score. Adam singled and Jerry walked to load the bases. Bubba grounded out to 1B (3U) allowing Mike to score from 3B with the 2nd run. Luther hit a comebacker to Ray for the final out.
Gray– got themselves back into this one with a five-run outburst in the 4th. David ripped a single to right to get things started. Scott singled sharply up the middle, but Phil was retired on a flyball to right center. Mike picked up his 3rd hit in as many at bats along with an RBI with a single to right. Peter stayed perfect at the plate with an RBI single through the box. Ray crushed a ball to dead-center that went over Steven’s head for a two-run double. Lynn popped out to short for the 2nd out. Jeff singled to center to move Ray to 3B. He scored the 5th and final run on Larry’s base hit to right center bringing Gray within a run of the lead.
End of 4th Score: Orange 16 Gray 15
Fifth “Open” Inning Recap:
Orange-clinging to a one-run lead, Orange exploded with nine runs in the buffet to put this one out of reach. Jim A. led off with a single on a sizzling grounder to short that Jack was unable to make a play on. Terry lined a single to left and Jack (completing a perfect 4-4 day at the plate) singled to left center to load the bases. Bobby grounded into a fielder’s choice out at 2nd as Jim scooted home with the 1st run. Jim F. drove in the 2nd run with his 4th hit in as many at bats. Steve singled home the 3rd run. Barry cracked a two-run double to right center as the Orange looked unstoppable. Adam and Jerry pitched in with back-to-back run scoring singles. Bubba (with Bobby running from the plate) lined a ball to right field that got past Larry and allowed Bobby to circle the bases for a two-run homer. I’m thinking this was Bubba first round tripper for the season. The two runs pushed Orange’s lead to ten runs and the home plate umpire called for a flip flop.
Gray- deflated and tired after chasing all of Orange’s hits in the top half of the inning, Gray was unable to put up much of a rally in their buffet inning. Jack grounded out to 2B to start the inning and Patrick lined out to 3B for two quick out. Morris looped a single to center and David completed a perfect 3-3 day at the plate with an infield single. Scott lined out to right center to end the game and put Orange in first place in the Session #2 standings.
Final Score: Orange 25 Gray 15
Game 2 9:30 a.m. Green (3-2-0) vs. Blue (2-4-0)
First & Second Inning Recap:
Green-got off to an inauspicious start as leadoff hitter, Paul Rubin, fouled off P Tommy DeLeon’s 2nd pitch for an out. Jack Spellman walked but Denny Malloy grounded out to 2B and things looked bleak for Green. Luis Sanchez singled to right to keep the inning going. Ken Mockler blasted a ball to the fence in left center to drive in two runs. Tom Brownfield lined a single through the 5/6 hole to score Ken from 2B with the 3rd run. Tom Kelm reached on an infield single, but Mickey Poole flew out to center to close out the inning. 2nd– Dean led off the 2nd with a single past 3B. He was forced out at 2B on Larry King’s grounder to short. Mercenaries Patrick Schmidt and Jim Foelker immediately contributed with back-to-back singles. Jim’s hit driving in the 1st run. Paul hit a squib shot to 3B that Raul could not handle resulting in an infield hit to load the bases. Jack smacked a single to right center to bring in two more runs. Denny fouled out for the 2nd out. Luis laced a single to right to score Paul and but the coach at 3B made a “dang coaching mistake” by giving Jack the green light to try and score from 1B on the play. Daniel Baladez made a nice catch on the throw from the outfield, but Jack was out by several steps to end the inning.
Blue- Raul DeLeon led off the inning with a single. Mike Hill fouled out for the 1st out. Henry Flores smacked a single to left center as Raul moved to 3B. He scored on Tommy fielder’s choice to the right side. Chris Hurst ended the inning with a ground ball out to short. 2nd– Alex Valles and Donnie Janac opened the 2nd with back-to-back singles. Dave Berra flew out to center for the 1st out. Johnny Neville’s single loaded the bases with one out. Daniel drove in the 1st run with a single to right center. Blue picked up Ken Brown and Doc Hobar as mercenaries for this game. Ken fouled out as his drive down the right field line drifted foul. Doc slapped a single to right center to drive in the 2nd run. Raul knocked in two more runs with his 2nd hit of the game. Mike flew out to Denny in left center to retire the side.
End of 2nd Score: Green 7 Blue 5
Third Inning Recap:
Green- Ken and Tom B. opened the 3rd inning with back-to-back hits to get things cooking for Green. Denny came into run for Kena t 2B. Tom K. lined out to right center for the 1st out. Denny was off with the pitch thinking it was going to drop so he was easily doubled off 2B when the catch was made. Mickey grounded to 2B for the fielder’s choice to end the scoreless 3rd inning.
Blue- Henry and Tommy started the inning with back-to-back singles. Chris popped out to 3B for the first out. Alex lined a single to right to score the 1st run. Ken Brown, running for Tommy, came around to score the 2nd run as the ball got loose in the infield. Donnie hit into a fielder’s choice for the 2nd out. Dave then flew out to left to avoid any further damage as Blue was able to knot the score at 7-7.
End of 3rd Score: Blue 7 Green 7
Fourth Inning Recap:
Green- Dean led off the 4th with a single but was erased on Larry’s grounder to short. Patrick slashed a single to left center to put runners on 1B and 2B. Jim, forgetting that Ken Brown was playing center field, flew out to him for the 2nd out. Paul launched a shot to left center that went over Donnie’s head for a bases clearing triple (not the little league variety this time!). Jack’s single to right drove in Paul with the 3rd run. Denny grounded out to 2B to end the inning.
Blue- clawed back with a run of their own in the 4th. Johnny opened the frame with a single but was erased on Daniel’s fielder’s choice grounder to 2B. Ken and Doc singled to load the bases. Raul drove in the only run with a sacrifice fly to center field. Mike was retired on a grounder to Dean at 2B to end the frame.
End of 4th Score: Green 10 Blue 8
Fifth “Open” Inning Recap:
Green– Luis led off with his third hit in as many at bats. Ken topped off his perfect day at the plate with a double to right center that brought Luis in with the 1st run. Tom B. was also perfect at the plate in this game and his line single to right center drove in Ken with the 2nd run. Tom K. singled but was forced out at 2B on Mickey’s grounder to 2B for the 1st out Dean had his third hit to drive in Tom from 3B for Green’s 3rd run. Larry bounced into a fielder’s choice for the 2nd out. Patrick singled to drive in Mickey with the 4th run. Jim nailed a double to left center to drive in Larry with the 5th run. Paul smacked an RBI single up the middle to score Patrick. Jack topped off the scoring with a base hit to right to bring in Jim with the 7th run of the inning. Denny flew out to CF to close out the buffet inning.
Blue– chasing ten runs, Blue was able to put up a couple but that was as close as they were able to get. Henry led off with a single but was forced out at 2B on Tommy’s grounder to 2B. Chris singled to CF and Alex reached on a base hit to right to load the bases. Donnie grounded to Jack and he made the unassisted put out at 2B for the 2nd out. Tom K. was unable to secure the relay to 1B for a potential game ending double play. Ken scored from 3B on the play. Dave slapped a single to right center to drive in Chris with the 2nd run. Johnny completed a perfect 3-3 day at the plate with another single to load the bases. Daniel grounded to 3B and Mickey made an unassisted put out at the base to close out the victory for the Green team.
Final Score: Green 17 Blue 10
Current Session Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2026 2nd Session |
|||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Orange |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0.667 |
74 |
54 |
20 |
– |
|
Green |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0.667 |
81 |
59 |
22 |
– |
|
Gray |
4 |
3 |
0 |
0.571 |
82 |
82 |
0 |
0.50 |
|
Red |
2 |
4 |
0 |
0.333 |
58 |
59 |
-1 |
2.00 |
|
Blue |
2 |
5 |
0 |
0.286 |
51 |
92 |
-41 |
2.50 |
New leaders atop the standings as Orange’s beatdown of Gray vaulted them into a first-place tie with Green. This is the first time all season that Gray has not been in first place. Hooray for competitive balance!
Season-to-date Standings:
|
|
ASSL C league 2026 Season to-date Standings |
|||||||
|
|
Win |
Loss |
Ties |
Win % |
Scored |
Given up |
Diff. |
Games Behind |
|
Gray |
14 |
5 |
0 |
0.737 |
241 |
181 |
60 |
– |
|
Green |
10 |
5 |
0 |
0.667 |
199 |
149 |
50 |
2.00 |
|
Orange |
9 |
6 |
0 |
0.600 |
178 |
144 |
34 |
3.00 |
|
Blue |
5 |
11 |
0 |
0.313 |
111 |
204 |
-93 |
7.50 |
|
Red |
2 |
13 |
0 |
0.133 |
145 |
196 |
-51 |
10.00 |
Green has closed the gap to only two games with their win on Monday and Gray’s loss to Orange. Don’t lose sight of the Burnt Orange Brawlers as they are lurking in 3rd place but looking good!
Next Games: Thursday May 21, 2026
Game 1 8:30 a.m. Red (2-4-0) vs. Gray (4-3-0)
Gray will be looking to bounce back after back-to-back defeats. Red is looking to stay out of the cellar and begin the long climb back into the race for the shirt!
Green has umpiring duties for this one.
Game 2 9:30 a.m. Green (4-2-0) vs. Orange (4-2-0)
The battle for first place in the Session #2 standings is on the line as the co-leaders go head-to-head in the late game. Should be plenty of fire works in this must-see game!
Red will be taking on the umpire responsibilities in this game.
Blue will have a bye on Thursday so their players (along with the unassigned players) will have priority in the draw.