Comeback Cobras Earn Warrenville Tournament Crown!
July 11, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Warrenville, IL – It’s fitting that on the final day of a fantastic baseball season the 9U Cobras showed off everything they learned throughout the year. 

Good pitching and defense coupled with powerful hitting and a “never quit” attitude helped Lockport subdue upstart Lemont 13-7 in the championship game of the Warrenville Big Hit Tournament.  The Cobras (33-9) ended the season in their finest form on a beautiful mid-summer Sunday that served as the crown jewel of the 2010 schedule in which they earned the right to be called one of the area’s strongest travel baseball clubs.

“It’s been a privilege and an honor coaching them,” Cobras Manager Craig Weins said during a nostalgic post-game speech.  “This game showed how much we’ve grown and it couldn’t have ended any better.”

Added Weins, “They had the championship, but we took it away from them.”

The Cobras entered the day with three previous victories against Lemont, however, it was clear from the start that this would be anything but a dogfight between two clubs playing their best baseball of the season. 

Lemont proved its legitimacy by seizing a 6-1 lead after 4 ½ innings of play and had the entire Lockport contingent in a major fog heading to the bottom of the fourth.  Nobody would have blamed the Cobras for folding and being content with the pile of victories already earned, but they had other plans that began in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Mitch Price, fresh off two innings of one-run baseball on the mound, started the rally with a line-drive double and was followed by Alec Gadomski who walked to set the stage for “Mr. Clutch”.  After Price scored on a wild pitch, Luke Bentley belted a long double down the left-field line to score Gadomski and the Cobras had a pulse trailing 6-3. 

Finley Travis, who finished the season as one of the hottest Cobra hitters, followed with a single and then Zachary Czub beat out a grounder to short which wound up scoring both Luke Bentley and Travis to cut Lemont’s lead to 6-5.  Brandon Goddard, another of the Cobras hottest hitters down the stretch, kept the line moving with a single which led to a two-on, two-out situation ahead of Cobras star C.J. Weins.

To that point in the season, Weins had piled up more big hits – including his second grand slam on Saturday – than anyone could remember, therefore he could be forgiven for not coming through in the clutch one last time.  Of course, that wasn’t the case as he calmly shellacked another loud double into the right-center gap that scored two more and put the Cobras back on top at 7-6.  Josh Bentley capped the rally with a hard RBI-single that gave Lockport an 8-6 lead. 
The final damage from the fourth inning read like a horror story for Lemont:  Seven runs allowed on six big hits that showcased the Cobras offensive firepower and turned a five-run advantage into a two-run deficit.

In the top of the fifth, Lemont refused to quit and mounted a bases-loaded threat with nobody out and one run in the bank against Goddard which cut the Lockport advantage to 8-7.  However, the threat ended as quickly as it began when Price caught a soft-liner at first base, Goddard threw out a runner at home after a soft comebacker and then struck out the final hitter to regain the momentum for good.

“We came back and stayed in it,” Cobras Pitching Coach Bill Utz said.  “That’s what truly makes a good team and that’s what impressed me most.”

The Cobras put the game on ice in the bottom of the fifth with five more runs.  Luke Bentley, Jacob Kampf, Travis, Czub and Goddard drew walks to open the inning and plate two runs.   Joey Utz, who was an ironman behind the plate for the entire tournament under steamy conditions, followed with a two-run single to put Lockport up 13-7 heading to the top of the sixth.  Goddard then calmly set down Lemont 1-2-3 to set off a celebration of happy players and fans as the Cobras made Lockport proud for one final time in the 2010 season.

“We kept it on track when we were down 6-1,” Weins said.  “We were down and they thought they had us.  Lemont is a much-improved team who is going to be tough to deal with next season.”

Not present at the game was all-around star Jake Brasen, who also made large contributions in the tournament with his work both on the mound and behind the plate along with his lightning-fast bat. 

It’s hard to summarize the entire season in a few sentences, but the final game really proved to be a microcosm of the 2010 journey for these 9U Cobras.  Resiliency, hard work, good attitudes and considerable baseball skill were all key factors during a season that was marked by tremendous success both on and off the field for players and coaches alike.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Show Off for Dads; No-Hit Victory!
June 20, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL – Father’s Day 2010 was one for the books as the 9U Lockport Cobras recorded a 2-0 gem against the visiting Joliet Victory at Dellwood Park.   The visitors did not register a hit while the home team generated just enough offense in this showdown between two strong I-80 League clubs from different divisions.

The Cobras (25-8) rode strong pitching and solid defense throughout this snappy game which lasted just over an hour and fifteen minutes.  C.J. Weins thrilled the crowd with a long solo home run in the first inning – his first-ever on the Mustang Field – that gave Lockport a 1-0 advantage that would stand up the rest of the way.

“That was a well-played baseball game,” Cobras Manager Craig Weins said.  “The pitchers didn’t allow a hit thanks to two good plays in the outfield.  Everybody had a role in this.”

Those plays Weins referred came in right field courtesy of Zachary Czub (first inning) and Josh Bentley (sixth inning) as both players threw out runners after what should have been base hits.  Czub gunned down a runner at first base while Josh Bentley threw out a runner at second base, and without those plays, the no-hitter doesn’t occur.

“The guys were in the game from the first pitch,” Cobras Pitching Coach Bill Utz said.  “If we field the ball the way we did today, we’re gonna be in great shape the rest of the way.”

Mitch Price (2 IP, 3 Ks) started things off on the mound with two scoreless frames and was followed by Alec Gadomski (2 IP, 2 Ks) with two more innings of zeros.  Josh Bentley (1 IP, K) and Weins (1 IP, 2 Ks) slammed the door in the fifth and sixth innings respectively.

In the field, Jacob Kampf (second base), Joey Utz (shortstop), Weins (shortstop) and Brandon Goddard (first base) also contributed solid plays to help preserve the no-hitter.  At the plate, Finley Travis (1-for-1) registered one of the four Cobras hits on the day while Jake Brasen and Luke Bentley both hit the ball hard despite not registering a hit.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Lockport 9U Cobras Team Up With St. Collettas
June 6, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL – The 9U Lockport Cobras have spent the past six months consumed with their won-loss record, batting averages and overall performances on the baseball field.  On a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Dellwood Park, they put all of that angst aside to play ball with some special friends and gain some lifelong memories in the process.

St. Coletta’s of Illinois, which was created by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, has been providing services for children and adults with developmental disabilities since 1949.  Cobras Manager Craig Weins, who has worked at St. Colletta’s of Illinois since xxxx, provides the manpower and guidance that is necessary to deliver on their stated mission to “encourage each individual to achieve his or her greatest potential within society.”

“I work in the workshop at St. Coletta's,” said Weins.  “It was supposed to be a transitional job, but it turned into a labor of love which is fun and rewarding. No matter how much longer I stay, those special people over there will be friends and a part of me forever.”

Weins is a baseball lifer who brings unbridled enthusiasm to his team.  Not unlike any other coach at this level of baseball, he wants to win.  However, it has become crystal clear to anyone who has spent time around him that he cares deeply about developing his players both on and off the field.

The idea to bring Weins’ baseball and work families together for a wonderful day of interaction was an unqualified success.  St. Colletta’s brought five heavy hitters to battle with the Cobras and they proved throughout the day that they could play the game. 

Adam Kuypers made solid contact at the plate the entire day and also flashed his speed by legging out a double.  Ray Brauer belted line drive after line drive that sent Cobras fielders to the fence all day long.  Matt Farnum, a sweet-swinging lefty, belted a long home run that easily cleared the fence.  Eric Cora made consistent contact all game long and also proved that he was a speedster on the bases.  Noah Wiley flexed some big-time power by blasting two home runs and narrowly missed another that bounced high off the left field fence.

Smiles, hugs, high-fives and laughter filled the air throughout the game as the St. Colletta’s guys absolutely stole the show.  The true courage, unconditional love and genuine happiness that was on display is certain to stick with both parents and players alike who witnessed or participated in this special event.

Kuypers, Brauer, Farnum, Cora and Wiley then stuck around to watch the Cobras battle the Romeoville Rattlers in a practice game.  Once again, the St. Colletta’s guys were the stars as they hung out along the dugout fence throughout the game to provide encouragement and cheers for the Cobras. 

Nobody will remember the final score or who did what during the game.  However, the visit from the St. Colletta’s guys will be remembered as a special highlight of the Cobras season and a lesson that positive attitudes can overcome the most difficult of circumstances.

The Cobras thought they would be providing the lessons on this day, but in the end, the St. Colletta’s guys did most of the teaching.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Continue I-80 League Roll; Subdue Celtics!
June 4, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

New Lenox, IL – The unpleasant memory of losing three-straight games to open the I-80 League season has long since been erased for the 9U Cobras.  And after Friday’s 7-1 victory against the Illinois Celtics, Lockport stands one victory away from running the table after that shaky start.

The Cobras (24-7, 8-3) made their eighth-consecutive I-80 League win look routine by displaying their trademark solid pitching and defense combined with timely hitting.  Alec Gadomski (2 IP, 2 Ks), Mitch Price (2 IP, 3 Ks) and C.J. Weins (2 IP, 4 Ks) suffocated the Celtics after they scored their only run in the first inning.  The Cobras trio did not allow a hit after the first inning.

The Bentley Boys led the way at the plate as Josh (1-for-3, 2 RBIs) delivered a long double and Luke (2-for-3) hit the ball hard throughout the game.  Weins (1-for-2, 2 RBIs) and Finley Travis (1-for-3, RBI) accounted for the other RBIs while Brandon Goddard (1-for-3) and Joey Utz (1-for-3) accounted for the other hits.  Jake Brasen (BB, HBP) reached base twice and scored twice while Jacob Kampf and Zachary Czub both reached on errors and came around to score crucial runs.

In the field, Travis (right field) made a heads-up play by throwing out a runner at first base, Utz (catcher) nailed a base runner at home with a flip to Weins and Brasen (catcher) snuffed out a perfect bunt attempt by leaping out and firing low to first where Price made a nice scoop for the out.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Grab Third-Place Finish at New Lenox!
May 31, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

New Lenox, IL – The 9U Cobras took home third-place hardware at the New Lenox Memorial Day Tournament by finishing with a 3-1 record that included some of their best baseball of the season.

That momentum carried into Monday’s semi-final matchup with the mighty Plainfield Tornadoes as the Cobras hung close early in the ballgame.

Jake Brasen led off the game with a triple and then scored on Joey Utz’s RBI-grounder to give Lockport a 1-0 lead after a half inning.  The Tornadoes scratched out a rally in their half of the first against starter Mitch Price and seized a 2-1 lead heading to the second inning.  Brandon Goddard then reached on an infield single, stole second and came home on Finley Travis’ RBI-single to tie the game at 2-2 heading to the third inning.

Then the wheels came off.

The Tornadoes rallied for eight runs in the second inning to chase Price and then seven more runs in the third inning against Josh Bentley and C.J. Weins to close out the 17-2 mercy rule victory. 

Despite the outcome, the Cobras coaches and players exited the field with class as they prepared to play a consolation game that would eventually be called due to inclement weather.  The rainout allowed the Cobras (22-7) to be named third-place finishers based on tiebreaking procedures.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Roll Into Semi-Finals; Blast Sparks!
May 30, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

New Lenox, IL – The 9U Cobras took advantage of a sun-baked Illinois Sparks (Doubek) team and recorded a stunning 15-0 victory on Sunday at the New Lenox Memorial Day Tournament.  Lockport (22-6) advanced into the final four and will face the Plainfield Tornadoes (35-1) in semi-final action on Monday.

“It was so impressive to beat a team of that quality in three innings,” said Cobras Manager Craig Weins.  “Our kids made all the plays and we hit the ball 1-through-11.  We beat an excellent team.”

Alec Gadomski worked all three innings on the mound for Lockport and simply pumped strikes while letting his defense make plays behind him.  Jake Brasen (centerfield) set the early tone by making a tough running catch to open the game and catching another fly ball moments later.  Zachary Czub (second base) then snared a line drive to end the first inning with the Sparks going down 1-2-3 against Gadomski.

The Cobras jumped out to a 3-0 lead in their half of the first as Joey Utz (2-for-3, RBI) doubled and C.J. Weins (1-for-2, 2 RBIs) walked ahead of Josh Bentley (1-for-2, 2 RBIs) who drove them both home with a double.  Bentley came around moments later to score on a wild pitch.

The lower half of the order ignited the next rally as Brandon Goddard (2-for-2) and Luke Bentley (2 runs) reached ahead of Jacob Kampf (2-for-2, 2 RBIs) who launched a long double to score two more.  Finley Travis (1-for-1, 2 RBIs) then blasted an RBI-triple and would come around to score on a stolen base.  Brasen added an RBI-single to put the Cobras ahead 9-0 after two innings.

In the decisive bottom half of the third inning, the Cobras got RBIs from Travis (walk), Brasen (grounder), Utz (single), Weins (2-run single) and Mitch Price (single) to close out the game at 15-0.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Look Flat; Hold off Warriors!
May 29, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

New Lenox, IL – The 9U Cobras were not at their best, yet they still found a way to beat the Plainfield Warriors 13-12 on Saturday in pool play at the New Lenox Memorial Day Tournament.  Lockport (21-6) moved into the single-elimination round as the third overall seed with a rematch looming against the powerhouse Illinois Sparks (Doubek) in the next round.

“No comment,” Cobras Manager Craig Weins said as the media rushed into the postgame dugout area.  It was the first time all season that Weins refused to speak with reporters after a game.

Weins could not have been happy with his defense as the Cobras made a series of mental and physical errors throughout the game which allowed the pesky Warriors to hang around. However, there were many bright spots on the day that included hitting throughout the lineup and some highlight reel plays in the field.

The Cobras led 10-2 after two innings, but the Warriors began chipping away in the third inning and eventually tied the game at 12-12 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.

Zachary Czub then proceeded to save the day by leading off the Cobras sixth inning with a single up the gut and stealing second to setup the winning run with nobody out.  Jake Brasen (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) then belted a hard single which sent Czub racing home to set off a celebration as the Cobras breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Brandon Goddard (2-for-3, 4 RBIs) and Mitch Price (2-for-3, 3 RBIs) led the offensive attack while C.J. Weins (2-for-3, RBI), Josh Bentley (1-for-2, RBI) and Alec Gadomski (1-for-2) each belted hard extra-base hits.  Luke Bentley, Jacob Kampf and Finley Travis also collected hits on a banner day for the offense.

In the field, catcher Joey Utz was in the middle of a beautiful 1-2-3 double-play in the first inning that started when Goddard fielded a comebacker on the mound, threw to Utz who then fired a laser to first baseman Price to end the inning.  Utz also threw out a runner attempting to steal second base earlier in the inning.

Czub (second base) made an incredible play by fielding a hard grounder to his right and then stepping on second for an unassisted putout in the third inning.  Brasen (catcher) ended the Plainfield fifth inning by scooping up a wild pitch and tagging out a runner at home.

On the mound, Brasen started the game and threw strikes while battling through some fielding miscues.  Goddard (2 2/3rd IP) induced the double-play to end the first inning with one pitch and worked a scoreless second and effective third inning on this steamy hot day.  Kampf started the fourth and battled wildness before giving way to Josh Bentley (2 IP) who did an effective job throughout the fourth and fifth innings before giving way to Weins (1 IP, 3 Ks) who wound up striking out three-straight to end the Plainfield sixth.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Bring Their A-Game; Slam the Sparks!
May 27, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

New Lenox, IL – Measuring stick games just don’t come any sweeter or larger than this.

Drawing the familiar and extremely talented Illinois Sparks (Doubek) club in the opening round of the New Lenox Memorial Day Tournament was not an easy assignment, but the 9U Lockport Cobras didn’t blink in posting a solid 6-2 victory Thursday night.  The win pushed the Cobras (20-6) into a solid position within their pool and also validated their progression since a mid-April loss to the Sparks during I-80 League action.

“That was an excellent team we just beat,” Cobras Manager Craig Weins said after defeating the current leaders in their I-80 League Division.  “This was one of the best games we’ve played all year.”

The proud father of Cobras star C.J. Weins had plenty of reasons to smile on this special afternoon.  Nursing a shaky 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth, Weins put the game on ice by belting a clutch two-out grand slam that sailed well past the 150-foot fence and gave Lockport a commanding 6-0 lead heading to the final inning.

Birthday boy Alec Gadomski had worked a scoreless fifth inning during which he erased a second-and-third, one-out jam by striking out the final two hitters.  Gadomski ran into wildness to start the sixth inning and was replaced by the fearless Josh Bentley, who came in and struck out two and then induced a game-ending harmless grounder to Gadomski who stepped on third to seal it.

“Bases loaded and nobody out against one of the top hitting teams in Illinois,” exclaimed Weins.  “It doesn’t get any tougher than that.”

“That was a pleasure to watch,” added Cobras Pitching Coach Bill Utz.  “We were making defensive plays and throwing people out.  That was baseball!”

Mitch Price set the early tone for Lockport by pinning down the Sparks during the first two innings and allowing his defense to make plays behind him.  He got defensive help from Josh Bentley (third base) and Weins who made three nice plays at shortstop while teaming up with Finley Travis on two force plays at second base in the second inning.

Price also gave the Cobras an early 1-0 lead with an RBI-single in the bottom of the first to drive home Joey Utz who had drawn a walk.  Brandon Goddard led off second inning with a walk, stole second and went to third on Luke Bentley’s grounder to first.  Goddard used his speed to score on the play when the Sparks overthrew third base and the Cobras had a 2-0 advantage.

Enter Weins who peppered the Sparks with two innings of gas that resulted in five strikeouts and no walks over the third and fourth frames.  Josh Bentley nearly left the yard with a line-drive ground rule double in the bottom of the fourth.  Moments later Price had walked and a wild pitch put Cobras on second and third with nobody out, but the rally lost steam when Luke Bentley lined out to end the threat. 

In the decisive Cobras fifth inning, Jacob Kampf battled to a full count before popping out, Finley Travis reached on an error, Zachary Czub drew a walk after a tough at-bat and Jake Brasen reached on an infield single to load the bases.  Moments later, Weins put the Cobras on cruise control with his long grand slam and the Sparks were subdued.

“Everybody picked each other up all game long,” concluded the elder Weins. 

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Streak Busted; Lose to Host Lenz!
May 23, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Jacksonville, IL – The 9U Cobras had their ten-game winning streak halted by a 13-10 loss to the Lenz Warriors in Sunday’s semi-final action at the Lenz Field Tournament.  The loss dropped Lockport’s record to 18-6 on the season and ended their hopes of winning a second-straight “suitcase tournament”.

Lenz jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Cobras responded with an eight-run first inning of their own.  

Joey Utz (2-for-3, RBI) and Brandon Goddard (2-for-2, RBI) both drove in runs with line-drive doubles while Luke Bentley (2-for-2, RBI) added an RBI-single.  Another run scored on Josh Bentley’s fly out while another five came home on wild pitches as Lockport ran amok on the bases (leadoffs allowed) to seize an 8-5 lead after the wild first inning that lasted over 40 minutes.  Also during the frame, Jacob Kampf took a hard pitch to his back, but got up quickly and came around to score on a wild pitch while Zach Czub drew a walk and used his blazing speed to score on Luke Bentley’s single

In the field, Weins made several nice plays at shortstop while Finley Travis made a tough catch in right field.  The Cobras catchers were at their best on this steamy day as Utz threw out a runner at third and made a diving catch of a popup in foul territory while Jake Brasen was “like a wall” in providing several run-saving stops of wild pitches.

Utz doubled and scored on a wild pitch in the second inning and Goddard did likewise in the third inning, but that was all the offense the Cobras could muster on the unseasonably hot May morning.  Mitch Price (double) was the only other Cobra to register a hit for the game and he also worked three grueling innings on the mound with four strikeouts.  Alec Gadomski (2/3 IP) gutted out a sore arm in a courageous first inning on the hill while C.J. Weins (1/3 IP) finished off Lenz in the fourth inning with a strikeout.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Comeback Cobras Roll On; Win Two at Lenz Field!
May 22, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Jacksonville, IL – The 9U Cobras have developed a strong aversion to losing.

Lockport rallied for a 9-8 victory against Edwardsville in stifling afternoon heat after rolling to a 14-4 triumph against Tuscola in the noon opener at the Lenz Field Tournament.  The Cobras (18-5) have now won 17-of-18 games including their last ten-straight.

“We played well in a tournament setting and it’s never easy,” Cobras Manager Craig Weins said.  “That second game was brutal, but we wanted it more than they did.  I’m proud of the kids.”

Edwardsville led 8-3 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning with the time limit approaching, but as has often been the case lately, the Cobras were poised to strike with the outcome hanging in the balance.

Finley Travis (2-for-2) ignited the rally with a leadoff single and was followed by Zachary Czub (walk) and Luke Bentley (hit-by-pitch) to load the bases with nobody out.  Jake Brasen (1-for-3, RBI) followed with an RBI-groundout, Czub came around to score on a wild pitch and Joey Utz (1-for-3, 2 RBIs) drove in another by reaching on an error to make it an 8-6 game. 

C.J. Weins (2-for-3) then singled, Utz came around to score on an overthrow and Josh Bentley (2-for-3, RBI) tied the game moments later with an RBI-single.  After Mitch Price lined out to third for the second out, Alec Gadomski lifted a high fly ball into right field which the fielder lost in the sun for an error and Josh Bentley raced home with the winning run.

Weins (2 IP, 6 Ks), Josh Bentley (1 IP, 2 Ks) and Travis (1 IP) took care of the mound work against Edwardsville while Weins (shortstop) and Jacob Kampf (second base) made solid plays in the field.  Brandon Goddard (1-for-1) reached base in both of his at-bats and showed off his typical blazing speed.

In the opener, the Cobras bats sizzled in a five-inning mercy victory against Tuscola powered by Brasen (2-for-3, 4 RBIs) and Kampf (2-for-3, 2 RBIs).  Lockport erupted with an eight-run second inning as six different players collected RBIs, including Gadomski (double), Kampf (single), Luke Bentley (hit-by-pitch), Utz (single), Weins (triple) and a back-breaking double by Brasen with the bases loaded that drove in three runs.

Goddard delivered an RBI-grounder in the third inning while Brasen (single), Weins (groundout) and Price (double) drove in three more runs in the fourth.  Kampf had an RBI-grounder in the fifth inning while Czub reached on a walk and used his speed to come around to score on a wild pitch to make it 14-4 and close out the scoring.

On the hill, Gadomski (3 IP, 7 Ks) was a workhouse in keeping Tuscola in check while Price (2 IP, 4 Ks) followed with two scoreless innings.  In the field, Price (first base), Travis (second base) and Josh Bentley (shortstop) made solid plays to back up the hurlers.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Stay Cool; Beat the Heat!
May 18, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL – Special games occur only a few times per season.  Tuesday night’s matchup against visiting Homer will retain a distinct place in the 9U Cobras scorebook due to the manner in which the entire team contributed to the defeat of a strong opponent.

The Cobras fell into a gaping hole in the early going, but instead of quitting, they steadily chipped away and then erupted with an eight-run fifth inning to pull away for a stunning 12-8 victory over the talented Heat.  Lockport (16-5, 6-3) has now won 15-of-16 games and six-straight in I-80 League action.

“It was a great comeback and we never gave up,” said beaming Cobras Skipper Craig Weins.  “We fell behind in the first three innings and our heads were down, but we persevered.”

This was truly a tale of two games that unfolded throughout the night. 

In the top of the first, Homer managed just a skinny infield single against Cobras Ace C.J. Weins, however, the Heat jumped out to a 4-0 lead thanks to wildness.  Josh Bentley drove in Joey Utz (single) with an RBI-groundout in the bottom of the first to make it 4-1.  Homer added one more against Weins in the second and then three more against Mitch Price in the third to take a commanding 8-1 lead into the bottom of the third. 

The Cobras would give no quarter the rest of the way. 

After the Heat seized its big lead, the Cobras outscored them11-0 as the hitters, pitchers and fielders found their groove.  Price bounced back by striking out the side in a scoreless fourth while Alec Gadomski finished them off with two scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth.  Fittingly, the game ended on a heroic play when Cobras leftfielder Zachary Czub fielded a single and fired to second base for a force-out to end Homer’s night.

“We had a rough start, but C.J. hung in there and kept us in the game,” Cobras Pitching Coach Bill Utz said.  “Our other two horses then came in and closed the door.”

Finley Travis started the bottom of the third inning with a single and was later followed by Luke Bentley who reached on an error. Jake Brasen (2 RBIs), who hit the ball on the nose in every at-bat, and Utz drove in the runs moments later with hard-hit grounders to make it an 8-3 deficit.

Gadomski ripped a two-out single in the fourth inning and was followed by Brandon Goddard (2-for-3, 3 RBIs) with an RBI-double to make it an 8-4 game heading to the decisive fifth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Travis and Czub led off with walks and were driven home by Luke Bentley and Brasen with RBI-grounders.  With two outs, Weins (2-for-3, RBI) belted an RBI-double to pull the Cobras to within 8-7.  After a walk to Josh Bentley, Homer brought in a lefty reliever to face the left-handed hitting Price, who responded with a line-drive single that scored both runners and gave Lockport its first lead of the game at 9-8.  After Gadomski walked, Goddard then piled on with another line-drive double to score two more and Jacob Kampf followed with a line-drive single up the gut to score Goddard and finish off the scoring with the Cobras leading 12-8.

The eight-run fifth inning stunned Homer and validated the Cobras’ dominance on this night.  Lockport’s 12 RBIs stood in stark contrast to a single RBI for Homer, which was limited to five hits against the Cobras pitching and defense.  In addition to Czub’s game-ending gem, both Utz and Josh Bentley made solid plays at shortstop while Weins was a vacuum cleaner at third base.

"They learned something about themselves and baseball tonight,” summed up Weins.  “Never give up, never get down and keep playing hard. They did just that."

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Birthday Boy Delivers; Cobras Stun Bulldogs!
May 15, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL – Brandon Goddard will likely never forget turning ten years old. 

Goddard dropped a one-out single into short centerfield to send the 9U Cobras to a 6-5 win over Tinley Park during I-80 League action Saturday night at chilly Dellwood Park.  The walk-off victory set off a frenzied celebration around Goddard (2-for-3, RBI) and powered the Cobras (15-5, 5-3) to their fourteenth triumph in fifteen games.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one inning, but Joey Utz came back to slam the door with a 1-2-3 second inning on the hill.  Mitch Price (1-for-3, RBI) drove in the first Lockport run with a line-drive single in the second inning while Jake Brasen (2-for-3, RBI) added an RBI-single in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Tinley Park increased the lead to 5-2 in the fifth, but the Cobras matched that output in the bottom half of the inning.  Luke Bentley and Alec Gadomski collected RBI-groundouts to score Finley Travis and Zachary Czub respectively as Lockport drew to within 5-4 heading to the sixth inning.

Brasen led off the sixth with a single and came home moments later on a wild pitch to tie the game at 5-5.  Josh Bentley (1-for-1, 2 runs) followed with a walk and was driven home for the game winner by Goddard’s heroics.

On the mound, Utz worked two solid innings to start the game and was followed by Gadomski (1 IP, 2 K’s) and Price (1 IP, 2 K’s), each of whom pitched a scoreless inning.  Weins (1 IP, 3 K’s) and Josh Bentley (1 IP, 2 K’s) held the Bulldogs down the rest of the way.

In the field, Jacob Kampf and Travis both made nice plays at second base.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Look Sharp; Cruise Past Troy!
May 4, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL – Playing near flawless baseball in all facets of the game continued to pay dividends for the 9U Cobras during Tuesday’s 7-3 victory against Troy in non-league action at Dellwood Park.

The Cobras (11-5) fell into an early hole for the second-straight game as Troy scratched out a 2-0 lead after a half inning, but once again they came roaring back in the bottom half to regain the lead for good.

Jake Brasen (2-for-3, RBI), Mitch Price (1-for-3, RBI), Jacob Kampf (1-for-2, RBI) and Brandon Goddard (1-for-3, RBI) recorded first-inning RBIs to provide Lockport with a 4-2 advantage they would not relinquish.  In the third inning, C.J. Weins (1-for-3, RBI) belted a long home run that sailed well over the centerfield fence and Alec Gadomski (1-for-3, RBI) blasted a long double in the fourth inning to account for the Cobras scoring.

Finley Travis (1-for-2) and Luke Bentley (1-for-2, double) also rang up hits while Zachary Czub (0-for-2) came up empty despite hitting the ball on the screws in each at-bat.

On the mound, Joey Utz (2 IP) recorded a 1-2-3 second inning and workhorse Jake Brasen (3 IP) followed suit with similar innings in the third and fifth innings.  Weins closed out the game with a solid sixth inning by striking out a pair.

In the field, Weins (shortstop), Kampf (centerfield), Travis (second base) and Gadomski (third base) all made solid defensive plays to back the pitching staff.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Fall Behind Early; Storm Back Against Morris!
May 2, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL – Digging out of early holes was an issue for the 9U Cobras during the first week of the season.  That negative trend is a distant memory after Lockport soundly defeated Morris 7-3 on a clear Sunday afternoon at Dellwood Park.

The Cobras (10-5) fell behind 3-0 after a half inning as Morris came out slugging in the early going, but they stormed back with 5 runs of their own in the bottom half and never looked back.  Joey Utz (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and C.J. Weins (2-for-3, RBI) each belted RBI-triples while Jake Brasen (1-for-2, RBI) added a hard RBI-single up the middle as Lockport seized a 5-3 lead after the first inning of play.

Lockport tacked on insurance runs in the third and fourth to close out the scoring.  The pitchers took care of the rest by not allowing a hit after the first inning against a solid Blackhawks offense.

Alec Gadomski (2 IP) came back strong with a 1-2-3 second inning after allowing some minor damage in the first inning.  Mitch Price (2 IP, 3 Ks) followed with consecutive 1-2-3 innings while Weins (2 IP, 5 Ks) slammed the door in the final two innings.

In the field, Luke Bentley (third base), Jacob Kampf (second base), Brandon Goddard (first base) and Zachary Czub (right field) backed up the pitchers by making the plays look routine.  Finley Travis (1-for-2) delivered the only other hit for the offense.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Take Rochelle by Storm; Nab Tournament Title!
April 25, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Rochelle, IL – Tournaments are a grind that require equal parts talent and gritty determination.  The 9U Cobras displayed plenty of each attribute Sunday at the Teentown Complex as they walked away with their first-ever tournament victory and the hardware that goes with it.

“I’m very proud of the team, Cobras Manager Craig Weins said.  “Playing in tournaments is very difficult with two games in a day and long layoffs in between.  They’re drained mentally and physically.  It’s a lot to expect from 9-year olds.”

In the championship game, Lockport (8-4) rode strong pitching and mustered just enough offense to overcome feisty Dixon by a 4-3 final.  The visiting River Bandits jumped out to a 3-0 lead in their half of the third inning, but the Cobras were poised to strike.

The rally started when Zachary Czub got plunked to start the inning and went to second on Luke Bentley’s single.  Joey Utz reached on a fielder’s choice and then C.J. Weins and Jake Brasen delivered RBI singles to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Alec Gadomski blasted a long double to lead off the Cobra fifth inning, went to third on Utz’s single and came home on a wild pitch to knot the game at 3-3.  In the decisive sixth inning, Finley Travis (error) and Brandon Goddard (walk) reached to start the inning and both advanced on a passed ball to set up the fireworks for “Mr. Clutch”.  Luke Bentley then calmly added another chapter to his Cobras highlight reel by belting a hard grounder to second base while Travis raced home with the winning run to set off a celebration.

“I could not be more proud of how well all the kids played,” Pitching Coach Bill Utz said.  “If everyone did not contribute, we would have not won.  As we continue to develop, and I mean players and coaches alike, it will only make us better.”

On the hill, Gadomski (2 IP, 3 Ks) didn’t allow a run while Mitch Price (2 IP, 5 Ks) bounced back with a 1-2-3 inning after allowing three runs to Dixon in the third inning.  Weins (2 IP, 4 Ks) then pinned down the River Bandits for the final two frames and got some great defensive help from shortstop Jacob Kampf (diving catch) and catcher Utz (snuffed out a perfect bunt).

“We rode our three horses the entire tournament,” Weins said of Gadomski, Price and the younger Weins.  “To me, the storyline of the tournament was our pitching.  Our pitchers shut down their hitters and our bats were good enough to win.”

In the morning game, the Cobras blasted Sterling 10-0 in a five-inning mercy rule finish.  Lockport jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Price laced a double down the left field line to score Gadomski and Weins.  Goddard led off the second inning with a long double and scored on Gadomski’s RBI-single for a 3-0 advantage.

Goddard ripped another long double in the third inning to knock home Kampf and put Lockport up 4-0.  The Cobras blew it open in the fifth thanks to RBI-singles from Czub and Bentley, followed by Gadomski’s triple over the left fielder’s head which scored two more.  Weins ended the game moments later with an RBI grounder.

On the hill, Gadomski (2 IP), Price (2 IP, 3 Ks) and Weins (1 IP, 2 Ks) refused to give the Sharks any breathing room.  Jake Brasen had a fantastic day behind the plate by throwing out a runner at third and picking off another at first against Sterling, while throwing out another runner at second against Dixon.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Hit The Road Hard; Two Wins At Rochelle!
April 24, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Rochelle, IL – Road trips are certainly fun for traveling baseball teams, but playing at a high-level takes work and dedication.  The 9U Cobras passed their first test on a cloudy Saturday at The Teentown Complex as they posted two impressive victories while advancing to the semi-finals of the Hub City Tournament.

In the morning opener, Lockport rolled over the Rock Falls Unison 10-0 in a five-inning mercy game while the Cobras had to hang on for a 6-5 victory against the Oswego Panthers in the afternoon game.  Lockport (6-4) has now won five in a row after a sleepy 1-4 start.

“I’m proud of how they focused today,” Cobras Manager Craig Weins said.  “They were ready for tournament play. It’s hard to play after a 2 hour layoff and stuffing yourself at Culvers®!”

Pitchers C.J. Weins (3 IP, 7 Ks) and Alec Gadomski (2 IP, 5 Ks) combined on the one-hitter against Rock Falls and both did damage with their bats as well.  Weins (4-for-4, 3 RBI) hit four missles at each plate appearance while Gadomski (2-for-4, 3 RBI) belted a home run on the fenceless field that bystanders estimated would have easily cleared the Pinto Field fence at LBB.

Mitch Price (3-for-4, 4 RBI) and Finley Travis (1-for-3, RBI) also helped fuel the offense while Jake Brasen worked the entire game behind the plate and also threw out a would-be base stealer at second base.

Oswego would prove a tougher opponent as the Cobras jumped out to a 6-1 lead thanks in part to a big two-out hit from Joey Utz (1-for-4, 2 RBI) that knocked in a pair.  Luke Bentley drove in another run and Brandon Goddard laid down a perfect bunt single to help fuel the offense.  Jacob Kampf also stayed hot at the plate by going 2-for-4 on the day with a hit in each game.

On the mound, Gadomski (2 IP, 5 Ks) kept firing zeros while Price (3 IP, 6 Ks) labored through some long innings and wildness, but hung onto the lead.  Weins came on to extinguish any Oswego rally hopes by striking out the side in the sixth.

“They battled, threw strikes and stayed ahead of a lot of hitters,” Cobras Pitching Coach Bill Utz said.  “They just controlled the tempo of the game.”

“Our pitchers were borderline dominant,” added Weins.

The Cobras now must battle fatigue and a shaky weather forecast on Sunday as they attempt to take home the tournament title.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Earn First I-80 Victory; Whip Grasshoppers!
April 20, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL –The 9U Cobras took a very businesslike approach in their 18-0 dismantling of the Plainfield Grasshoppers Tuesday night at Dellwood Park.  While the 4-inning victory lacked suspense, it still had a sweet taste as Lockport (4-4, 1-3) moved back to the .500 mark and notched their first I-80 League win of the young season.

On the hill, C.J. Weins suffocated the visitors with three innings of gas which included 8 strikeouts while Alec Gadomski mopped up in the fourth with an efficient 1-2-3 inning that required only 8 pitches.

Jacob Kampf (2-for-4, 3 RBIs). Brandon Goddard (2-for-2, 2 RBIs) and Luke Bentley (1-for-2, 2 RBIs) led the Cobras offensive attack which has exploded for 60 runs in the last three games against less experienced competition.  The Cobras now pack for the season’s first tournament this weekend in Rochelle and hope to bring their hot bats with them.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Pour It On; Blast Lemont!
April 18, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL – Precisely one week ago against this same Lemont club, the 9U Cobras were forced to use their ace to finish off a tight game.  One week later the Cobras looked like a different team during Sunday’s 25-8 shellacking of the Indians in non-league action on a sunny yet cool afternoon at Dellwood Park.

“Everybody hit the ball hard and that’s a beautiful thing,” said manager Craig Weins after watching his Cobras (3-4) pound out 13 hits and drive home 18 runs for the game.  “These kids had to learn that we need to bring it every game both mentally and physically.”

Lemont native Zachary Czub broke the visitors’ hearts by leading the way with his bat and glove.  Czub (2-for-4, 3 RBIs) contributed two of the game’s hardest hit balls – including a laser beam triple to left field– and was also in the middle of a 6-4-3 double play in the sixth inning.

Joey Utz (2-for-3), Alec Gadomski (2-for-4) and Luke Bentley (1-for-3) also finished with 3 RBIs apiece while C. J. Weins (3-for-4, RBI), Mitch Price (3-for-4, 2 RBIs) and Brandon Goddard (2 RBI) provided more fuel for the offensive attack.

On the mound, Finley Travis led the way with 2 solid innings of work, followed by single innings from Jacob Kampf, Czub and Price.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Erupt; Overwhelm Oswego!
April 17, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL –  It was the game they had been waiting for and visiting Oswego paid the price as the 9U Cobras cruised to a 17-7 victory on a chilly Saturday night at Dellwood Park.  The non-league victory was a confidence-building masterpiece as Lockport (2-4) executed in every phase of the game and at times in dramatic fashion.

C.J. Weins (4-for-4, 2 RBIs) put on an offensive show by belting 4 triples to set an unofficial LBB record unlikely to ever be broken.  Brandon Goddard (2-for-2, 4 RBIs), Mitch Price (2-for-3, 3 RBIs) and Zachary Czub (1-for-2, 2 RBIs) were the other offensive leaders on a night when the entire club pounded the ball.

On defense, the Cobras rattled off both routine and highlight reel plays.  Two such stunners came courtesy of Jacob Kampf with a sliding catch in left field and an acrobatic play at second base, during which he ranged hard to his right to snare a ball and recovered to throw out the man at first.

Joey Utz (2 IP), Luke Bentley (2 IP) and Brandon Goddard (1 2/3 IP) collectively took care of the mound work as each hurler threw strikes consistently and worked efficiently which allowed the defense to make plays behind them. 

Alec Gadomski (double, 2 runs), Jake Brasen (RBI-single) and Finley Travis (3 BBs, 3 runs) also contributed to the offensive fireworks on a night where smiles were seen all around the Cobras dugout and on the field. 

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Rally Falls Short; Sparks Win Seesaw Game!
April 14, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Oak Forest, IL – Victory was in sight for the 9U Cobras, but a late rally fell short as the host Illinois Sparks hung on for an 11-9 victory in I-80 League action on Wednesday night. 

The Cobras (1-4, 0-3) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after a half inning when Alec Gadomski (walk) and C.J. Weins (fielder’s choice) reached and came around to score on errors.  The Sparks seized a 3-2 lead after one inning of play, but the damage could have been much worse if not for solid relief work from Gadomski.

The visitors lurched back in front in the top of the third when Weins belted a long triple over the centerfielder’s head and came around to score on Jake Brasen’s RBI-single.  Moments later, Finley Travis delivered an RBI-single to score Brasen and put Lockport back in front 4-3. 

After the Sparks put up six runs over the next two innings to post a commanding 9-4 lead, the stage was set for the Cobras heading to the fifth.  Lockport’s five-run rally was started by Joey Utz (single), Weins (walk) and Brasen (RBI fielder’s choice) and followed by Travis and Jacob Kampf, both of whom reached on errors and helped knot the game at 9-9.  Zachary Czub then reached on a fielder’s choice and Luke Bentley followed with a hard single to re-load the bases, but the rally lost steam and the game remained tied.

The Sparks regained the lead for good at 11-9 in the bottom of the fifth despite some great defensive plays by Czub in the outfield and Travis at second base.  The game ended dramatically in the top of the sixth when Mitch Price smashed a line drive at the Sparks third baseman that turned a game-ending double-play.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobras Show Signs of Life; Hold Off Lemont!
April 11, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL – It’s been said that a win – no matter the form – is the best tonic for a struggling team.  After Sunday afternoon’s 9-6 victory over visiting Lemont, few would argue that description applies to the 9U Cobras after scoring their first victory of the season in non-league action.

The Cobras (1-3) were led by Alec Gadomski (1-for-2, 2 runs) both in the field and at the plate.  Gadomski tallied five putouts in the field – including three-straight catches in left field in the fourth inning – and also delivered a clutch, two-out RBI-single in the middle of a five-run fifth inning rally.

On the hill, Brandon Goddard (3 IP) and Finley Travis (2 IP) held the Indians at bay over the first five innings while Zachary Czub pitched a solid sixth inning in his Cobras mound debut before giving way to C.J. Weins to close it out.

Lockport once again fell into an early 1-0 hole, but came to life in the bottom of the third when Goddard and Luke Bentley (2-for-2, 2 runs) ignited a rally with consecutive singles.  Goddard scored on a wild pitch while Weins knocked home Bentley with an RBI-groundout to put the Cobras ahead for good at 2-1.

In the fourth, Gadomski led off with a walk and came around to score on a wild pitch while Jacob Kampf also drew a walk and was knocked home by Goddard’s RBI-groundout to give the Cobras a 4-1 lead.  Lockport’s speed was evident in the frame as Gadomski, Kampf and Czub each stole second to put pressure on Lemont’s defense.

The Cobras blew the game open in the fifth when Bentley (single), Weins and Jake Brasen reached to load the bases with two outs.  Gadomski (single) and Mitch Price (double) delivered the RBI hits and when the dust settled, the lead stood at 9-2 and the Cobras faithful breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Another bit of good news was the sight of Joey Utz making the hard plays look easy at shortstop despite a sore hand.  The Cobras still look forward to the return of mainstay Josh Bentley, who cheered on his teammates from the dugout with his injured wrist.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobra Rally Extinguished; Blaze Escapes!
April 10, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL – A late wake-up call for the 9U Cobras offense wasn’t enough Saturday night at Dellwood Park as the Mokena Blaze hung on for a 4-3 victory in I-80 League play.

The Cobras (0-3) were shutout for the first five innings against Mokena, but staged a furious rally in the bottom of the sixth.  Luke “Mr. Clutch” Bentley and Brandon Goddard started the rally with consecutive singles and were driven home by C.J. Weins (single) and Jake Brasen (fielders choice) to cut the deficit in half at 4-2.  Weins wound up scoring moments later on a wild pitch to account for the final Lockport run, but the rally ran out of steam with Mitch Price being called out on a close play at first to end the game.

On the mound, Alec Gadomski and Weins each pitched three effective innings to keep the game close.  Weins was untouchable as he retired 8 of the 9 hitters he faced via strikeout and caught a popup for the only putout.

In the field, Finley Travis made two fantastic putouts at second base and also contributed a solid single at the plate.

The injury news went from bad to worse with two I-80 League all-stars now on the shelf.  Josh Bentley (wrist) will be out 3-4 weeks recovering from an injury suffered against Lincoln-Way and Joey Utz (hand) left the Mokena game in obvious pain with his availability uncertain.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Cobra Bats Still Hibernating; Prospects Pull Away!
April 6, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL –  You could almost see the rust starting to shake loose from the Cobras offense Tuesday night at Dellwood Park, but there wasn’t enough progress to prevent the visiting Lincoln-Way Prospects from seizing a 9-2 victory.

The Cobras (0-2) watched Lincoln-Way build a 4-1 lead through two innings, despite not getting a hit against Ace C.J. Weins.  Lockport scored its run in the bottom half of the first when Brandon Goddard reached and came around to score on a wild pitch.  The only other Cobras tally came on Weins’ solo homer deep over the right field fence in the bottom of the fourth that cut the deficit to 4-2. 

The Prospects then pulled away for good by totaling five runs over the fifth and sixth innings.  Lincoln-Way recorded 12 putouts in the field and held the Lockport offense to only two hits.

At the plate, every Cobra made solid contact led by Weins, Jake Brasen, Jacob Kampf and Josh Bentley (1-for-2), who registered the only other Lockport hit.  In the field, Brasen logged five innings behind the plate and Alec Gadomski worked three solid innings on the mound. 

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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Big innings sink Cobras; Tornados roll!
April 5, 2010
LBB SportsNet wire reports

Lockport, IL –  Avoiding the “big one” – racing slang for a large wreck – is crucial strategy on the NASCAR circuit, but it’s equally applicable in travel baseball.  The visiting Plainfield Tornados scored ten runs over two frames and then coasted to a 12-5 victory over the 9U Cobras in their season opener Monday night at Dellwood Park.

Lockport had jumped out to a 3-2 lead after one inning.  C. J. Weins (3-for-3, 2 runs) delivered a hard RBI-double to score Brandon Goddard and Weins then scored moments later on a wild pitch.  Zach Czub’s bases-load walk gave the Cobras their one-run advantage which they held through the second thanks to a scoreless inning of work from Alec Gadomski.  The Cobra defense played flawlessly in the second frame with catcher Jake Brasen throwing out a base stealer while Luke Bentley (left) and Weins (center) made nice catches in the outfield.

The Tornados blew the game open in the third (6 runs) and fourth (4 runs) innings against Mitch Price and Josh Bentley respectively, however, both pitchers gutted out the frames despite the damage.  Finley Travis fired a magnificent 1-2-3 fifth inning followed by a scoreless sixth from Goddard, who faced only four batters himself.  Jacob Kampf did excellent work behind the plate and in the outfield, while Joey Utz was a game time scratch due to an undisclosed injury.

Big innings aside, the Cobras offense simply didn’t fire as they mustered only four hits on the night.  Weins (2 doubles) pounded the ball at every plate appearance, Brasen registered the only other hit and both Goddard and Travis made consistent contact throughout the game despite not recording a hit.

With the first game in the books against one of the area’s top teams, the Cobras (0-1) can now focus on improvement at the plate and in the field as the long season begins to unfold.  Things don’t get any easier with consecutive I-80 League games on tap this week when avoiding the “big one” will be even more crucial.

~ Cobra Sports Writer Rob Price

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