Firebirds Unable To Avenge Opening Day Loss To Hyannis

Kyle Simon (Arizona) started the game for the Firebirds against Hyannis and went five innnings while allowing no runs on five hits and four strikeouts.

In the sixth, Elliott Glynn (UConn) came on in relief and gave up two runs. The first came on a double by Jeff Lusardi (Missouri) scoring Charlie Thurber (Tennessee). In the next at-bat, the catcher Dan Sheppard (Iowa) hit a single to left scoring Lusardi to put the Harbor Hawks up 2-0.

In the seventh, it had seemed that Glynn (2009 CCBL all star) had settled down until he gave up a double to Jason Nappi (Harding University). Nappi then scored on a single by Dane Phillips (Oklahoma State), whos grandmother was listening to the broadcast as well. Those three runs were all that was needed as Hyannis beat Orleans 3-0.

Jack Leathersich (UMass-Lowell) pitched the eighth and the ninth for Orleans. He allowed no runs and no hits while walking one and striking out five.

The best pitching of the night, however, was done by Hyannis's starter Tyler Ray (Troy). Ray went seven and two-thirds innings while allowing no runs on four hits and three strikeouts.

Jason Esposito (Vanderbilt) went 2 for 3 in just his second game with the team.

The Orleans Firebirds now have a record of 4 wins, 5 losses, and 0 ties. They travel to Harwich tomorrow to take on the Mariners at Whitehouse Field at 7:00pm. Elliott Glynn will make his first start of the season on Sunday in the double-header against Bourne at home.

Firebirds Fall To Harbor Hawks 3 To 2 In 11 Innings

The Orleans Firebirds opened up their season Monday night in Hyannis taking on the Harbor Hawks. Matt Sisto (Hawai'i) took the hill for the Firebirds and gave up a two-run home run to Jason Nappi (Harding University) in the first. After giving up the big fly, Sisto settled down and was unhittable. Sisto went five innings and gave up three hits and two earned runs. Burny Mitchem (Dayton), Jack Leathersich (UMass-Lowell), and John Brebbia (Elon) combined for four scoreless innings of relief. Pictured is the infield (Left to Right) 3B-Kolten Wong, SS-Shon Roe, 1B-Dennis O'Grady, and 2B-Danny Muno during Leathersich's warmup.

Trent Howard (Central Michigan) took the hill for the Harbor Hawks. He went five and two-thirds innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits. Howard was going strong until the sixth inning when he gave up a leadoff single to Shon Roe (Loyola Marymount), a single to Kevin Muno (San Diego), and a sacrifice bunt by Danny Muno (Fresno State) to move the runners over. Kolten Wong (Hawai'i) singled home Roe to pull the 'Birds within one run. One of Orleans' best hitters, returning Firebird Steve Selsky (Arizona) laid down an unexpected bunt to bring Kevin Muno home and tie the game at two.

In the eleventh inning, the Firebirds loaded up the bases but stranded all three runners as Dallas Gallant (Sam Houston State) got Hyannis out of a jam. The Harbor Hawks came up in the bottom of the eleventh against Kenny Long (Illinois State) and their first two batters, Corey McElroy (Auburn) and Dane Phillips (Oklahoma State) reached base with a walk and a bunt single. Jason Nappi singled to load the bases for Cody Stubbs (Tennessee). Stubbs put the ball into the outfield like he was assigned to do, and got the sacrifice fly that he needed to bring McElroy in and put a "1" in the win column for Hyannis.

Kevin Muno did an impressive job in the leadoff spot for the Firebirds with two hits, a stolen base, and a run. Muno is in his third season for Orleans. He played for Orleans for half of the 2007 season, the entire 2009 season, and now the 2010 season. His younger brother Danny returns as well after playing for the Firebirds in 2009. Kevin Muno and Martin Viramontes (Loyola Marymount) are the only two players left on the Firebirds 2010 roster who played for the "Orleans Cardinals." Also returning to the Firebirds is catcher, Matt Koch (Loyola Marymount).

The Firebirds pitching looked great tonight, too. We are still awaiting the arrival of some key pitchers. Mitchell Lambson (Arizona State), Nolan Belcher (South Carolina), and Alex Panteliodis (Florida). We also await the arrival of  big bats, Riccio Torrez, Drew Maggi, and Matt Newman (Arizona State), Jayce Boyd (Florida State), and powerhouse Preston Tucker (Florida). They are all still playing in the College World Series so good luck to all of them!

First baseman and pitcher Nick Ramirez (CS-Fullerton) were recently eliminated by former Firebird Rob Rasmussen's (UCLA) unbelievable outing. Also on their way up to the Cape are Joe Loftus, Will Clinard, and Jason Esposito (Vanderbilt).

Tune in on Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 as the Firebirds host the Brewster Whitecaps at 7:00pm.

Roster Update!

With the season kicking off tomorrow against the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, the roster has been updated. My first result post will be Tuesday, June 15th.