7 run second helps Pburg beat Bridgewater

Monday at the PAC was pretty weird. Not only did the Stateliners of Phillipsburg have a home game, the weather was beautiful as well. After Bridgewater jumped out early to a 1-0 lead, the Liner bats broke out in a big way in the bottom of the second. Dolla Bill started the inning off by getting mom'd and was followed by Machado hitting a single through the left side of the infield. Nice Guy Nick Helman would then lay down such a powerful sac bunt that it knocked the pitcher off his feet and suddenly Pburg had the bases loaded with nobody out. Big Mike would then come through with a 2 RBI single up the middle to put the Garnet and Gray up 2-1. After a Buffalo long fly down the left field line, the Invisible Farmer got mom'd to load the bases again, this time with one out. Stanskid would then hit a grounder that the first basemen tried to gun down the speedy Nice Guy at third but Nice Guy beat the throw and the bases were still loaded. Swaggy Staggy then hit a sharp ground ball to third that looked like might be an inning ending double play. However, the third basemen didn't make a throw, another run scored and Pburg was up 4-1. An El Morro single tacked on another run and the dangerous Big Boy Billy headed to the plate. Although few, if any expected it, everyone in attendance was about to see history unfold before their eyes. In one of the most remarkable feats in school history, Big Boy Billy Oertel got mom'd for the SECOND TIME IN THE SAME INNING! Mom Tandry's school record may not last the year. When Mom was reached after the game for his thoughts on possibly losing his record after just one season, he responded with an angry tone, "I don't want to talk about you punk." (Editor's note: Helman and Oertel each have 4 HBPs). Machado then strolled to the box and attempting to be like his hero Billy Billy, Webb also duplicated his first at bat of the inning with a sharp single through the left side and Pburg took a commanding 7-1 lead. The rest of the game would be on cruise control as Pburg would ride to an easy win, right? Of course not. Where would the fun be in that. Bridgewater busted out their whooping sticks in a big way with four straight hits and they were in business. The Panthers sent 10 batters to the plate and struck back with four runs on five hits and we had a ballgame on our hands. The Lamanator came in relief to get the final out and Pburg was clinging to a 7-5 lead. The game would settle down over the next two frames as the only run that would score would be when courtesy runner Go Home Rob would go home on a Stanskid fly ball to left. Bridgewater would get that run back on a double and a sac fly. The Liners would put the game away for good in the bottom of the sixth. Back to back singles by Stan S. Berry and 1-0 Our Hero brought the Landshark to the plate. After two miserable bunt attempts, the Landshark lined an RBI single to left to extend the lead to 3. Two quick outs left Nice Guy Nick Helman at the plate and he would stroke an 0-2 pitch into center for the second run of the inning. Salmon then continued his comeback trail as he had his second hit and 3rd RBI of the day on a single up the middle. The Lamanator would make quick work of the Panthers in the bottom of the 7th to complete his 4.1 innings of relief only allowing one hit en route to his second win of the year. A nice bounce back win for Pburg as the final was 11-6. The Liners are now 7-4 and have a Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex date with Sparta on Wednesday at the PAC.