Week 1 Recap

The 2021 ORWBL regular season is officially under way as all sixteen teams kicked off the regular season on Sunday. The home teams dominated in Week 1 as seven out of the eight home teams won their series while six of them were able to pull off a sweep. The New Carlisle Newts were the only road team in the league to win their series as they took two out of three from the Godfathers in Great Lakes powered by a league leading 74 runs scored. Let's take a quick look at what happened at each series on Opening Day.

Hudson Lake Heat @ Maple City Magic

GM 1: MC, 2-0

GM 2: MC, 2-0

GM 3: MC, 4-0

The 4x defending World Series Champions picked up right where they left off as the Magic were finally able to pick up a sweep on ring day for the first time as Champions. Prior to the game, the Magic unveiled their 4th championship banner and passed out their rings before LaPorte Mayor Tom Dermody threw the ceremonial first pitch. The wind was howling in like never before at Magic Park as there was not a single Home Run hit on the day. With the wind howling in, the Magic knew that they would have to play small ball and that is exactly what they did, scoring 8 runs on the day via small balll. Maple City's three different starting pitchers each pitched a shutout while the defense was stellar behind all three of them.

Notable stats from the series:

(MC) Wes Ellis: 5-11, .455 AVG, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, 6 IP, 0 R, 2 K's, W (1-0)

(MC) Shane Anderson: 3-7, .429 AVG, 3 Runs, 6 IP, 0 R, W (1-0)

(MC) Jared Jonkman: 5-11, .455 AVG, 1 RBI, 6 IP, 0 R, W (1-0)

Week 2 matchups:

Maple City @ Crown Point

Hudson Lake @ Mill Pond

Twin Branch Billy Goats @ Flat Rock Cyclones

GM 1: FR, 13-12

GM 2: FR, 15-6

GM 3: FR, 39-13

The Twin Branch Billy Goats traveled to The Barnyard on Opening Day for a much anticipated series with the Flat Rock Cyclones. After some back and forth offseason chat between the two teams, many pegged this one as the top series of the week. The wind was blowing straight out at The Barnyard and the Cyclones bats took advantage of that as the Goats were not able to contain them from start to finish. The Cyclones prevailed 13-12 in what was a competitive series opener. Billy Goats star Andrew Doran had to leave the series at the start of Game 2 however as Flat Rock took advantage of that the rest of the way. The Cyclones big 3 of Mark Richards, Brandon Terry, and Walter Griffin III combined for 23 HR on the day as they wasted no time getting their bats rolling. It was their 4th option Tyler Shupert however that shined the brightest as his 11 HR leads the team after Week 1. The most surprising stat of the day was that Cyclones pitcher Mark Richards was able to strike out a whopping 12 Billy Goats as that number leads the league after one week of action.

Notable stats from the series:

(FR) Brandon Terry: 16-21, .762 AVG, 15 Runs, 15 RBI, 10 HR

(FR) Tyler Shupert: 13-21, .619 AVG, 13 Runs, 19 RBI, 11 HR

(FR) Mark Richards: 10-21, .476 AVG, 10 Runs, 12 RBI, 7 HR, 17 2/3 IP, 27 ER, 12 K's, (3-0)

(FR) Walter Griffin III: 12-21, .571 AVG, 14 Runs, 7 RBI, 6 HR

(TB) Keigan White: 10-15, .667 AVG, 7 Runs, 11 RBI, 7 HR

Week 2 matchups:

Flat Rock @ Bourissa Hills

County Line @ Twin Branch

Crown Point OTF @ Bourissa Hills Wildcards

GM 1: BH, 18-17

GM 2: BH, 19-11

GM 3: BH, 21-21

The Crown Point OTF made their ORWBL debut on Sunday as they made the trip to The Palace to take on the Bourissa Hills Wildcards. With the wind howling out, lots of runs were scored on the day as two of the three games ended up coming down to the wire. The Wildcards had to call on some of their reserves as they were without Cody Carlisle, Evan Layman, and Mason Monhaut. That meant that DJ Hill, Zach Rehlander, Al Amendt and Luke Stanisci would need to carry some extra load and they were able to do just that. In Game 3, OTF jumped out to a 20-5 lead but they were not able to hold off a ferocious comeback by the Wildcards who were able to complete the comeback to cap off a 3 game sweep on Opening Day. 2020 AL Rookie of the Year winner DJ Hill picked up right where he left off as he leads ORWBL in Home Runs and RBI's after Week 1 while the Wildcards skipper Zach Rehlander leads the league in runs scored. All in all, OTF showed that they belong as they were very competitive in all three games. OTF's Parker Huttel shined on Opening Day as he leads all of ORWBL with a .778 AVG after Week 1.

Notable stats from the series:

(BH) DJ Hill: 22-30, .733 AVG, 17 Runs, 34 RBI, 14 HR

(BH) Zach Rehlander: 24-31, .774 AVG, 22 Runs, 9 RBI, 3 HR

(CP) Parker Huttle: 14-18, .778 AVG, 11 Runs, 9 RBI, 8 HR

Week 2 matchups:

Flat Rock @ Bourissa Hills

Maple City @ Crown Point

Mill Pond Pink Pandas @ County Line Kings

GM 1: CL, 7-6

GM 2: CL, 11-2

GM 3: MP, 12-6

The Mill Pond Pink Pandas traveled to The Garage for their first ever ORWBL series in what ended up being a rather competitive series. The Pink Pandas hung with the Kings for the entirety of Game 1 but it was the 2020 AL Gold Glove award winner Kody Webb who hit the walk off Home Run to clinch the Game 1 victory. The Kings carried that momentum into Game 2 as they picked up a 11-2 win to clinch the series. The Pink Pandas did not roll over however as they came out firing in Game 3. Brycen Strauch was able to contain the Kings bats in the finale as the Pink Pandas won their first ever ORWBL game by the score of 12-6. All in all, the Pandas have to be pleased after taking one at the Garage as the Kings have always played very well at their home park. We will see if 2020 AL MVP JP Kehoe is able to return to the lineup for Week 2.

Notable stats from the series:

(CL) Colton Boren: 12-20, .600 AVG, 8 Runs, 6 RBI, 5 HR

(CL) Kody Webb: 8-21, .381 AVG, 5 Runs, 5 RBI, 3 HR (Walk-off Home Run in Game 1)

(CL) Michael Forrester: 6-21, .286 AVG, 4 Runs, 8 RBI, 3 HR, 13 IP, 14 R, 2 K's, (2-0)

(MP) Zach Christy: 8-17, .471 AVG, 5 Runs, 3 RBI, 3 HR

(MP) Evan Walters: 7-15, .467 AVG, 4 Runs, 4 RBI, 4 HR

(MP) Andrew Karsten: 7-16, .438 AVG, 5 Runs, 7 RBI, 5 HR

Week 2 matchups:

County Line @ Twin Branch

Hudson Lake @ Mill Pond

New Carlisle Newts @ Great Lakes Godfathers

GM 1: NC, 29-20

GM 2: GL, 13-10

GM 3: NC, 33-5

The New Carlisle Newts began a 9 game road trip to start the season as they made the trip out to Niles, MI to take on the Great Lakes Godfathers on Opening Day. The New Carlisle bats appeared in mid season form as the Newts scored a league high 74 runs on the day. The Newts bats were red hot in Game 1 as Garrett Curless, Koby Keck, and Matt Soos each hit 4 Home Runs en route to a 29-20 Game 1 victory. The bats cooled off just enough in Game 2 for the Godfathers to pick up a win as Great Lakes took Game 2 by the score of 13-10. Nick Fritz and John Premetz helped put the Godfathers up for good in the 5th as the Newts went scoreless over the final 3 innings of the game. In Game 3 it was 2015 MVP Noah Shail leading the charge as he went 9-11 with 6 HR in Game 3 as the Newts dominated the finale from start to finish. With how well the New Carlisle lineup was rolling, Great Lakes had to be pleased to get out of their with one win. Meanwhile, it was a very encouraging start for the Newts who managed to be the only road team to win their series on Opening Day.

Notable stats from the series:

(NC) Noah Shail: 17-24, .708 AVG, 17 Runs, 20 RBI, 13 HR, 9 1/3 IP, 12 R, (1-1)

(NC) Scott Soos: 14-24, .583 AVG, 14 Runs, 12 RBI, 9 HR

(NC) Garrett Curless: 14-26, .538 AVG, 13 Runs, 13 RBI, 8 HR, 6 2/3 IP, 26 ER, 2 K's, (1-0)

(NC) Garrett Ruiz: 14-23, .609 AVG, 11 Runs, 10 RBI, 8 HR

(NC) Koby Keck: 8-13, .615 AVG, 7 Runs, 6 RBI, 5 HR, 1 IP, 0 ER, SV (1)

(GL) Chaz Boyd: 10-16, .625 AVG, 9 Runs, 8 RBI, 7 HR

(GL) Mark Haase: 9-14, .643 AVG, 8 Runs, 7 RBI, 7 HR

(GL) Andy Sieradzki: 9-16, .563 AVG, 7 Runs, 7 RBI , 5 HR, 12 IP, 43 ER, (1-1)

Week. 2 matchups:

New Carlisle @ Mishawaka

Great Lakes @ Lynn Street

Mishawaka Meatspins @ Granger Panthers

GM 1: GR, 8-2

GM 2: GR, 4-3

GM 3: GR, 10-3

The Mishawaka Meatspins made the switch over from the AL to the NL over the offseason as they made the trip on Opening Day to take on the Granger Panthers. Granger got things started early with some back to back Home Runs before Daivyn Davis capped off a 5 run inning early. The Panthers didn't look back from there as they won Game 1 by the score of 8-2 as Tiki Serosynski picked up the win on the mound. In Game 2, the Meatspins were able to take the lead early but Granger nodded it up at one in the bottom of the 4th with a Brandon Campbell solo shot. Granger was able to tack on 3 more to take a 4-1 lead before allowing 2 runs to the Meatspins late. Granger was able to shut the door in the 6th and pick up the series win after a 4-3 victory in Game 2. 3x NL Cy Young winner Griffin Smith took the mound in Game 3 as he was able to keep the Meatspins bats in check from start to finish. The Panthers cruised to a 10-3 victory in Game 3 to cap off their Opening Day sweep as Brett Shepard closed the door on Mishawaka, picking up his 2nd save of the day. All in all, it was another great start for Granger while the Meatspins will look to get things rolling next week as they will host the New Carlisle Newts.

Notable stats from the series:

(GR) Griffin Smith: 8-13, .615 AVG, 5 Runs, 5. RBI, 4 HR, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, (1-0)

(GR) Alex Zarazee: 6-13, .462 AVG, 6 Runs, 6 RBI, 5 HR

(GR) Daivyn Davis: 6-12, .500 AVG, 4 Runs, 4 RBI, 3 HR

(MM) Joey Shuster: 5-12, .417 AVG, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, 1 HR

Week 2 matchups:

Granger @ Union Mills

New Carlisle @ Mishawaka

Lynn Street Leprechauns @ South Bend Truffle Butter

GM 1: SB, 9-8

GM 2: SB, 14-2

GM 3: SB, 12-11

After a year absence, wiffleball returned to South Bend as the Truffle Butter made their ORWBL debut as South Bend's new ORWBL team. The city of South Bend has a rich history in our league as the South Bend Sour Wowers and Cult West Warriors each won two ORWBL World Series titles. With such a great history, the Truffle Butter will look to make their mark on ORWBL here in 2021 and beyond. Two of the three games were veryso there is still plenty of hope in Lynn Street despite the tough start. The Truffle Butter picked up a pair of walk off wins as Kyle Lidster belted a walkoff Home Run to win Game 1 while Kyle Gagliardi did the same in the series finale. It was a special all around day for South Bend who put the rest of ORWBL on notice that they are not just another first year ORWBL team.

Notable stats from the series:

(SB) Jeremy Ratajczyk: 10-18, .556 AVG, 9 RBI, 5 HR

(SB) Kyle Lidster: 9-18, .500 AVG, 5 RBI, 3 HR, (walk-off HR in Game 1)

(SB) Ryan Galiher: 10-16, .625 AVG, 7 RBI, 3 HR, 12 IP, 10 R, (2-0)

(LS) Nick Brassell: 8-15, .533 AVG, 6 Runs, 6 RBI, 5 HR

(LS) Austin Traxler: 6-14, .429 AVG, 5 Runs, 6 RBI, 5 HR

Week 2 matchups:

Glen Lee @ South Bend

Great Lakes @ Lynn Street

Glen Lee Skeeters @ Union Mills Goon Squad

GM 1: UM, 14-4

GM 2: UM, 19-18

GM 3: UM, 12-7

The Glen Lee Skeeters made the trip out to Union Mills for their first ever ORWBL regular season series in what appeared to be a pretty even matchup. After losing some guys in the offseason, there were some question marks surrounding the Goon Squad lineup. Union Mills won 5 games in each of their two seasons and knew that they would need to improve their hitting to take some strides this year. Union Mills wasted no time getting their bats rolling in 2021 as they scored 45 runs in the series as Union Mills picked up their first ever ORWBL sweep. Due to their +16 Run Differential, Union Mills sits atop the National League standings after Week 1 as they are a feel good story from Week 1. They are now just two wins away from matching their high of five as they will look to carry their momentum into Week 2 where they will face a tough test in the Granger Panthers. Union Mills will look to turn some heads in Week 2 as they will look to steal a game or two from the Panthers. Meanwhile the Skeeters will look to try again at picking up their first ever ORWBL win.

Notable stats from the series:

(UM) Josh Trim: 13-20, .650 AVG, 10 Runs, 12 RBI, 8 HR, 5 IP, 16 ER, 2 K's, W, (1-0), SV (1)

(UM) Steve Shultz: 12-20, .600 AVG, 11 Runs, 12 RBI, 10 HR

(UM) Jake Osburn: 11-20, .550 AVG, 10 Runs, 2 RBI, 2 HR, 7 IP, 6 ER, 2 K's, W, (1-0)

(UM) Cadin McCarty: 8-20, .400 AVG, 8 Runs, 7 RBI, 6 HR, 6 IP, 7 ER, 3 K's, W, (1-0)

(GLEN) Nate Kelly: 11-18, .611 AVG, 8 Runs, 5 RBI, 4 HR

(GLEN) Alec Holland: 11-17, .647 AVG, 9 Runs, 7 RBI, 7 HR

Week 2 matchups:

Granger @ Union Mills

Glen Lee @ South Bend

The Old Republic Wiffleball League will take a break in the action next week for Mother's Day but will return for Week 2 on Sunday, May 16th!