Bombers win second in a row behind one of their most complete efforts of the season

 

6-29-2025 | Lebanon Memorial Park – The Bombers took on the Brewers Sunday in a rematch of their early season meeting which the Bombers won 9-1. This week was no different as the Bombers put together one of their most complete games of the year in a 10-6 victory.

 

The Brewers took their only lead of the day in the top of the first, but the Bombers answered right back in the home half when Taylor Gilliam started things off with a double off the fence in LF, later scoring on an RBI base hit by Eric Yeary.

 

The Bombers added another run in the 3rd when Mitch Gerlach drew a walk and advanced to 3^rd on two passed balls. Gerlach would later score on an RBI single by Jessie Reeves, 2-1 Bombers.

 

The Bombers made it 5-1 in the 4^th when Pat Gedig started things off with a single, later scoring on an RBI base hit by Shawn Conaway. Dalton Sexton kept the inning going with a base hit of his own and Eric Hare scored both on a 2-RBI double to right.

 

The Brewers snuck back into the game in the 5^th scoring 3 runs to make it 5-4, but the Bombers went right back to work in the home half when Jessie Reeves singled, stole second, and was plated on an RBI single by Jake Allgood, 6-4 Bombers.

 

The Brewers fought back to tie it 6-6 in the 6^th, but the Bombers again took the lead when Scott Friedline worked a walk, stole second, and scored on an RBI 2B by Pat Gedig. Geig would come around to score on single by Shawn Conaway, his third hit of the game, 8-6 Bombers.

 

The Bombers added 2 more for good measure in the 8^th when Taylor Gilliam started a rally with his second 2B of the day and scored on a 2B by Eric Yeary. Yeary would later score on an RBI 2B by Scott Friedline, Bombers win 10-6.

 

It was a combined pitching effort with Eric Hare drawing the start for 3 innings followed by an inning apiece for Taylor Gilliam and Eric Yeary. Manager John Wetter would call himself out of the pen to try putting the game on ice. Not wanting to see his offensive showcase go to waste Shawn Conaway (pictured right) asked Wetter, “Are you ready” to which Wetter replied, “I’ll do my best”. “Your best?”, questioned Conaway, “Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and date the prom queen.”

 

The motivation seemed to work as Wetter slammed the door with 4 solid innings of relief to earn the Win. Despite pitching, maybe, his best game ever Wetter was complimentary of his teammates, “It was a great team win guys. Thanks for having my back. Having a good defense when you’re pitching is so relaxing.” As he went to talk about the many great plays by the defense and hard hit balls right at Brewer defenders that could have led to even more than their 18 hits Eric Hare interjected, “What’s that crap on your chest?” Wetter explained, “Crisco”. He then wiped across his head, “Bardol”. Moving on to his waist, “Vagisil, any one of them will give you another two to three inches drop on your curve ball. Of course, if the umps are watching me real close I’ll just rub a little jalapeno up my nose, get it running’, and if I need to load up the ball I just wipe my nose”. Looking disgusted, Hare questioned, “You put snot on the ball”. “I haven’t got an arm like you, kid”, explained Wetter, I have to put anything on it I can find. Someday you will too”.

 

Controversy notwithstanding, it was a great effort by the whole team. After a week off for ID4 holiday the season will continue as the Bombers will try to win their 3^rd in a row – it has happened before.

 

Notables

Taylor Gilliam 2-3, 2 2B, BB, SB

Eric Yeary 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Pat Gedig 3-4, 2B, RBI

Shawn Conaway 3-3, 2 RBI

Jessie Reeves 2-3 RBI, SB

Eric Hare 3 IP, 5 K | 1-3 2B, 2 RBI

Jon Wetter 4 IP, W, 2 K

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Bombers Pitching and Defense carry team to 1-0 win over Expos

 

6-22-2025 | Scecina Memorial HS – The Bombers were able to avenge one of their loses on Sunday against the Expos in a 1-0 slugfest which featured some great pitching and defense from both teams.

 

The Bombers would get all the offense they needed in the top of the first when Jake Allgood legged out an infield single and later came around to score on a two-out base hit by Eric Yeary.

 

The Bombers continued their run of solid defense highlighted by a few run saving plays to retain the shutout – a nice pick at 1B by Scott Friedline, and a pick-off from C Dalton Sexton to 2B Pat Gedig nabbing an overly agressive basrunner to end the game were some of the bigger moments. Most notable, however, was an inspired grab in RF by CF Mitch Gerlach, pictured below, who called off his RF seemingly before the ball was even hit.  

 

“Jumping catfish! What a great play! Who is that kid, anyway?”, exclaimed Dalton Sexton. “Of course he made the play, man. He’s he best athlete in the area” explained Jake Allgood, “but you don’t understand – that’s Mitch Gerlach”. Taylor Gilliam interjected, “You guys talking about Mitch Gerlach? That dude is a bad mother. You talk about a loan shark. I borrowed a nickel from him last week. He said if I didn’t give him a dime by Friday, he’d break my arm. Jessie Reeves sighed, “es un bandido”.

 

RF Colton Snodgrass could not be reached for comment after inquiring if Mitch goes to the bathroom for him to. Gerlach seemed to have no recollection of the play simply stating, “I got a Harley Davidson, does that turn you on? Harley Davidson?”.

 

Another big story in the game was the combined 3-hit shutout by Eric Hare, Shawn Con-A-way, and Eric Espinosa. Hare (pictured right) got the start and went 6 innings striking out 8 with 0 BB. Conway pitched the middle 2 innings allowing only a hit, and Espinosa recorded the Save.

 

The Bombers were happy with the win, but feelings on the teams lackluster offense were palpable with the team knowing they need to score more to compete the way they want to this year. Hare was quick to shut down any negativity, “We're in the goldarn IBL, boys. I don't know about any of you, but I've been waiting my whole life to get here. And I'll be damned if I'm gonna act like my best pig died just cuz we ain't doin' so good. My Dad figured I wouldn't amount to much except... well, I never came up with anything, but a day of playin' ball is better than what most people have to do for a living. We’re on the rooster!” Hare went on rambling about some girl named Betsy and surfing, but eventually we had to move on. Manager Jon Wetter tried motioning Hare to the parking lot indicating it was time to leave but he didn't get the message, "What's he pointing at? Does he know someone out there?".

 

The Bombers will look to carry the positive momentum into next weeks matchup with the Brewers who they beat earlier this season, 9-1. Before dismissing his guys Wetter wrapped things up with a clear message, “We won a game today, we win one Sunday that’s two in a row. We win another one, that’s called a winning streak. It has happened before.”

 

NOTABLES
Eric Hare 6 IP, W, 8 K, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB
Shawn Con-A-Way 2 IP, H | 1-2 2B
Eric Espinosa 1 IP, S | 1-1 BB

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Bombers Turn Heads in Memorial Day Tournament, Fall Flat as Captain Abandons Ship

 

6-1-2025 | Plainfield Hummel Park -- The Bombers had a strong showing in the IBL Memorial Day tournament which saw them take the eventual champion Midwest All-Stars to the wire. After defeating the Redbirds and losing to the runner-up Orioles in Pool Play, the Bombers earned the 3-seed to take on the 6-seed Legacy. It was a close game while the Bombers tried to save SP Eric Hare for the next round, but eventually had to make the call for Hare to shut things down and secure a spot in the Semi-Final. Eric Espinosa got the start against the 2-seed Midwest Allstars followed by Shawn Conway who both kept the higher seeded offense in check while the Bombers were able to scratch and claw to a 5-4 defeat. Taylor Gilliam, Nakya Brown, Eric Yeary, Scott Friedline, and manager Jon Wetter also played big parts in the teams success and expectations were high heading into the Bombers next Regular Season matchup against the IBL Penguins. 

 

Fate had other plans and the Bombers fell flat as Captain Jon Wetter, pictured left in his typical pre-game dress, abandoned ship in search of treasure as the starting Catcher after Evan Herrell had been lost for an extended period due to injury. Normally one to stir up the masses with rousing, nay, legendary pre-game speeches, Wetter was nowhere to be found and left the lineup to 1B Scott Friedline. Friedline, who retired from managing after a decade of moderate success in the 18+ division highlighted by a runner-up finish in 2015, did not take the responsibility in stride claiming he didn’t even know half the team yet and “now I remember why I gave this $*** up”.

 

 

 

The distraction obviously affected the team as Wetter and Friedline nearly came to blows as the reality of being mercy-ruled began to set-in with Wetter claiming the poor lineup construction was to blame as well as lacking communication on the teams use of A/B spots in the batting order. Friedline was quick to fire back that maybe with more than a 10 minute heads up he could have put more thought into it, and Pat Gedig stepped up in defense of Friedline criticizing Wetter for abandoning ship. A melee was about to ensue until Taylor Gilliam (pictured right) stepped in and slapped both of them stating, “I’m the captain now”.

 

The game finished without further incident, but left the Bombers with a lot of soul searching to do. Eric Hare got the start and pitched well enough to win, but the defense was out of sorts early. By the time it tightened up, the train had left the station. To their credit, the Penguins played a clean game and took away quite a few hits on some hard hit balls. 

 

It was later reported that Dalton Sexton, who missed the game while vacationing on a cruise ship around the Horn of Africa, became so distraught upon hearing of the team's disappointing performance he made an attempt to hijack the ship and return home. After failing to do so, he stripped naked, jumped overboard, and tried to swim for it but was captured by Somali pirates. After a long ordeal the pirates agreed to release him in exchange for a Blockbuster gift card and subscription to Good Housekeeping. Dalton is currently undergoing both mental and physical evaluation on a Navy medical ship en route stateside. It is unclear which one he needs the most.

 

 

Next week the Bombers will try to right the ship againt the MonARRRchs

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Bombers get first win in IBL ‘Game of the Week’

 

5-18-2025 | Scecina Memorial HS – The Bombers took on the Brewers Sunday in the IBL’s ‘Game of the Week’; a battle between two of the league’s few remaining perfect records.

 

Eric Hare got the start and was dominant all day. Outside of an error in the 2nd, Hare faced the minimum batters in each inning before getting removed after the 6th with a no-hitter intact. Hare finished the day with 6 IP, W, 9 K, and 0 H or BB.

 

Hare credited a generous strike zone by the umpire but C Evan Herrell, always one to be humble, was quick to explain just how good he was at framing pitches. Hare went on to say something about how he likes that confidence in his catchers...some more ego stroking went on, but frankly I just stopped listening. The two, who are normally very quiet and reserved, seem to be bringing out the best in each other - a match made in heaven. 

 

On the offensive side, Nakya Brown got things started in the first with a base hit. Eric Espinosa put runners on 2nd and 3rd with another single and stolen base. Then Scott Friedline delivered a 2-out RBI single to put the Bombers up 2-0 and they never looked back. 

 

Jake Allgood plated another run in the 5th with a solo laser shot over the LF fence, 3-0 Bombers.

 

The Bombers put the game away with 5 runs in the 8th when Eric Espinosa and Scott Friedline led off with back-to-back base hits to start the inning. Evan Herrell drew a walk to load the bases and the carousel started with runs scoring on a Pat Gedig HBP, Eric Yeary BB, Dalton Sexton 1B, Taylor Gilliam FC, and Eric Hare groundout; 8-0 Bombers.

 

The Bombers would score another in the 9th when Chris Spencer, Mitch Gerlach, and Nakya Brown walked the bases loaded but only 1 run was able to score on an RBI groundout by Eric Espinosa. The Brewers would score their only run of the game in their final AB when their #2 hitter golfed a ball over the LF fence – Bombers win 9-1. 

 

After the game Manager Jon Wetter, pictured left never missing an opportunity to wear a tight shirt, was complementary of the effort. “Hare pitched really well and we had a defense behind him that picked up everything that was hit. The bats were working, it was a great day.” When asked about the new 35-inch bat he is swinging, "I’m trying to be like Allgood. You see that piss missile he hit today? I just missed one a couple weeks ago. Once I start to get this ridiculous torpedo barrel around I'm coming for the league lead. Aaron Judge swings a 35 and we’re basically the same.”

 

 

 

The Bombers will look to continue their positive momentum June 1 after the Memorial Day holiday against the Penguins, 3:30p at Plainfield Hummel Park. 

 

NOTABLES
Eric Hare 6 IP, 9 K, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB
Eric Espinosa 3-4, RBI, 2 R, SB
Scott Friedline 2-4, 2 RBI, R, SB
Jake Allgood 1-4, HR, RBI, R, SB

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Bomber Defense Falters as Team Debuts the Chopstick Glove

 

4-28-2025 | Scecina Memoria HS – The Bombers took on the Stealth Sunday at Pat Gedig field which got a major turf facelift for this season thanks to an anonymous donation. On an unrelated note, Bomber 3b Pat Gedig has been moonlighting as a reliever for the MLB team in Cleveland the past couple seasons as a very effective setup man ahead of Emmanuel Clase. Gedig has pitched so well, in fact, that Clase has felt the pressure holding onto his job leading the typical best closer in baeballs ERA to balloon over 7 early in the 2025 season. For his efforts, Gedig was recently rewarded with a sizeable extension. Congrats, Pat!

 

 

 

Eric Espinosa got the start against the Stealth and pitched well enough to keep the Bombers in the game early, but a couple errors led to a few unearned runs and the bats were never able to catch up from there.

 

The Bomber offense was mostly silent until the 5th inning when Espinosa led off with a single and stole second. Mitch Gerlach singled to put runners at first and third, and then Scott Friedline singled to score Espinosa. Evan Herrell plated Gerlach with a single of his own, but that would conclude Bomber scoring for the day. Stealth win 14-2.

 

The team continues to be plagued by too many free baserunners, and the defense did not help as some of the players debuted oddly modified equipment they called the "Chopstick Glove". Apparently, the theory is that by removing the webbing and some lacing from the glove, the weight and drag is greatly reduced allowing the players hands to be much quicker. Some of the material is then redistributed to the fingers making them longer and skinnier, like a chopstick, allowing the player to pluck the ball out of the air.

 

Team scientist Mills Bergmann, who came up with the idea, claimed, “I don’t know why they are calling me a scientist. The key to this idea is there really is no science to it at all. Over the week off I was just thinking back to a karate lesson I was taught in my youth – Man who catch fly with chopstock accomplish anything. I didn’t believe it at first, but that crazy old man did it. That’s what gave me the idea and with all this talk about Torpedo Bats lately that was my motivation. I made one good play in practice then everyone wanted one. I figured if we could just make a couple plays during a game with it then it would catch on and I'd be making millions of dollars and living in a big old mansion somewhere. You know, soaking it up in a hot tub with my soul mate.”

 

Needless to say, it was a disaster. Manager Jon Wetter banned all equipment modiification after the game admitting the Yankees were stupid for starting this trend and it’s gotten out of hand. Struggling to keep his composure, he talked to the team after the game, “We can't have anyone freak out out there, okay? We've got to keep our composure! We've come too far. There's too much to lose! We've got to just keep our composure!”

 

The Bombers will try to right the ship against the Expos this weekend, Sunday 12:30p at Hummel Park in Plainfield.

 

NOTABLES
Eric Espinosa 1-1 R SB
Scott Friedline 1-2 RBI SB
Evan Herrell 1-2 RBI
Mitch Gerlach 1-2 R SB

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BOMBERS WALK TO SEASON OPENING LOSS

 

4-13-2025 | Western Boone H.S. JV – The Bombers opened their season Sunday against the Phillies, a perennial powerhouse in the league. The new look Bombers merged with the Pirates over the offseason whose 2024 season came to an abrupt end after a players age controversy took away their first-round playoff victory over the defending champion Monarchs who went on to repeat.

 

The two groups compliment each other nicely with a good mix of solid hitters, pitching, and defense from both sides. The excitement heading into the season opener was palpable as the Bombers had been working out together since the calendar turned to 2025 with lots of players ready to put the past behind them and turn some heads this season.

 

Eric Hare took the mound to kick off the season and came out firing, punching out the first two Phillies. After walking the next batter, the inning ended on a groundout to short. Hare put in a lot of work this offseason and had some really good stuff, but struggled with a few walks. He battled traffic on the basepaths all afternoon,but kept it to a 0-2 deficit until the fourth. After the first hitter reached on a HBP Hare K’d the next, but the bases were loaded on a double and a walk; another walk after starting to get squeezed a bit made it 0-3. The next batter K’d and it looked like Hare would again minimize the damage, but the next Phillies hitter deposited a ball over the fence in left for a Grand Slam, 0-7 Phillies.

 

Said manager John Wetter after the game, “Hare pitched much better than his stat line would indicate. Once he is able to work out some of those walks, he has the stuff to be as good a pitcher as there is in the game. I love that kid. We could be best friends. We only say nice things about each other and are always on the same page. We hug a lot. You know what I’m saying?...or, whatever. Hey, what’s that over there?” -- abruptly walking away.

 

The Bombers bats got going in the 5^th when SS Nakya Brown left off with a double to left and CF Eric Espinosa traded places with him on an RBI double to right, 1-7 Phillies. Espinosa then came on in relief and struck out the side, keeping the Phillies in check for his 3 innings. The Bombers scored another run in the 6^th when Chris Spencer worked a lead off walk and Scott Friedline singled to center. Jake Allgood walked to load the bases, and Eric Yeary plated Spencer on an infield single – his second hit of the day. Yeary drove a ball to the gap in his first AB but was held up at first due to some extra drag from a sizable bush growing out the back of his hat. 

 

That would conclude the scoring for the Bombers after an unfruitful rally in the 8^th when Mills Bergman and John Wetter led of with back-to-back singles only to have the next 3 batters retired in order.

 

It was a good first showing for the Bombers. As with the formation of any new superteam there will be growing pains as the group feels itself out and everyone settles into their roles. Old Pirates skipper, Dalton Sexton was optimistic saying, “I don’t think this could have gone much better. It was great to get back on the diamond with my guys and these Bombers can play a little bit too. Especially that Hare fella. He was a bit distraught after the game not getting the results he wanted after so much work this offseason, but, as a catcher, I knew exactly what he needed to hear. I just told him, when the road looks rough ahead, and you're miles and miles from your nice warm bed. Just remember what your old pal said, boy, you've got a friend in me. Yeah, you've got a friend in me. Some other folks might be a little bit smarter than I am. Bigger and stronger too, maybe, but none of them will ever love you the way I do. It's me and you, boy. You've got a friend in me."

 

Controversy erupted after the game with many players pointing the finger at each other about a hotly contested pants color debate leading up to the season with some threatening to quit the team over the decision. Todays loss opened some old wounds with many believing the boring choice of grey was a leading cause for the disappointing result.  

 

Wetter will have to rally his troops after the Easter holiday for Game 2 against the 2024 runner up, Stealth.

 

NOTABLES

Eric Espinosa 1-3 2B RBI, 3 IP 4K

Eric Yeary 2-2 RBI

Nakya Brown 1-3 2B