Week one of the 2017 season is in the books! The Dirtbags started the season off vs the rivals from down south, the Beecher Muskies. After finishing the 2016 season with a 17inning loss to the Muskies in the NABF regional championship, both teams picked up right where they left off. The double header quickly turned into extra innings...... Yes that is right both games went into extra innings, the Dirtbags took game one which was Coach Campbell's 100th win but then surrended 3 runs in the 9th. Although the Dirtbags came up short in game two, they showed they would not roll over putting the first two batters on base in the bottom of the 9th.

 

On Sunday The Dirtbags hosted the DuPage Angels, both games were close games but the Dirtbags took both with late game hitting. The Dirtbags bullpen showed its dominance on Sunday only allowing 1 run which was unearned. Newcomer George Manikas (Lewis University) came in on Sunday to throw 3.2 innings, showing no sign of weakness, he struck out 6 of the 13 hitters he faced. Keegan Tyrell (Concordia-Chicago) had a nice homecoming, starting his Dirtbag career off with a triple and a big time catch in the outfield.

 

Overall DJ Budde (Trinity) had a great weekend leading the Dirtbags in hitting going 3/7 with a triple. Mike Quiram (Saint Francis) went 2/5.... Although there is no category for web-gems in the book, the Dirtbags showed that they are once again filled with gold gloves. The outfield doubled up baserunners twice this weekend and also have several BIG TIME catches. The infield also flashed the leather this weekend with several plays that turned heads.