Monkey Bats Quiet In Opening Game Loss

Team manages just 6 hits in 25-4 loss to Mud Hens.

By JMU, Staff Writer
October 14, 2008
Fullerton, CA. 

The Fullerton Monkeys did not appear ready to start the Fall, 2008 campaign on Tuesday evening.  Unfortunately for them, their opponents, the MudsHens were in mid-season form and handed a depleted Monkeys squad a sound five-inning thrashing.  The Monkeys, missing Justin Zuschlag, Jon Nasland, and Juan Rodriguez, could field just nine players and that would not get the job done against a veteran Med Hens squad.
“They showed why they were at the top of the league last season,” explained team manager John Upton.  “They were able to hit the balls into spots that we simply couldn’t cover again and again.  If we played in, they would hit over our heads, when we played back, they would dink ‘em in just over the infielders.  It was tough out there.”
Particularly tough for Upton, who had a lot of action in right field, including a line drive that struck him in the shin and caromed nearly 20 feet to his right.  “The Mud Hen batter hit a low line drive that I was pretty sure I could get,” explained Upton.  “Unfortunately, as it dipped down in front of the lights, I lost track of the flight of the ball.  Sure it hurt when it hit me, but I suppose I’m lucky it didn’t get me in certain other places.”
What little offense the Monkeys provided was highlighted by Chris Novak’s first inning, 2 run home run.  Beyond that, no Monkey got more than one hit and as a team, they managed just nine base runners in five innings.  “That is not going to get the job done,” groused Upton.  “If we continue to hit like that, we are in for a long season”.
Next game:  October 21, 2008.  Shaggers at Monkeys, 8:00 pm, Lemon Park.