After an upsetting end to Brews on 1st’s last season, a couple things became apparent; drastic improvements had come from 2021 to 2022 and it was still known that they weren’t quite true contenders yet. With this knowledge, Brews on 1st management went into the off season with one goal: Win a championship in 2023.

In the midst of losing two players, Adrian and Marcus, Brews on 1st mission to make the jump from a winning team to contender status came with difficulty. Beginning with the first free agent target (Blake Wolfe) slipping through their grasp and signing with Started on Third. After shaking off the loss, Brews on 1st turned their heads towards two all around Utility men to bolster their core.

The first Free Agent to sign was a veteran softballer from Traverse City, Gabe Callery (G Duggs). G Duggs had played in a few of his own campaigns and was ready to join a new team with championship aspirations. To round out the roster, management brought in another young utility player, Chuck Dejardin (Chuck). Another lefty addition to the lineup to make righty pitchers life hell.

After a week one postponement for the team, Brews on 1st entered week two 0-0 and looking to start hot. In front of a sell out crowd, game one was against The Moose, a new team from last year. With energy and excitement high from being back on the diamond, the boys raked from the first pitch. Beginning with a five run first inning and an eight run explosion in the second capped off by a Marcus Cook (Chach) HR and a Jacob Leclaire (Louie V) moonshot to take a 13-2 lead.

James Tucker (Tucksauce) looked comfortable on the mound and dealt six strong innings only allowing 11 runs. Tucksauce’s pitching outing paired with Chuck and Phil Conrad’s (P) 9 combined RBI’s helped Brews on 1st cruise to a 21-11 victory in game 1 on the season.

In between games, the fellas snacked on some orange slices provided by their great fans!

Game two found Brews on 1st facing off against rival Started on Third (previously The Good Guys). Started on Third was swinging a hot bat out of the gate and jumped out to a commanding lead with an eight run second inning burst. 

Brews on 1st continued to hang around within striking distance thanks to HR’s from G Duggs and Brian Oldani (FloSho). However, the bats cooled off and ultimately the guys couldn’t crawl back from their initial deficit. Eventually falling 15-12. 

Although Brews on 1st wanted to start 2-0, a dominant win and gritty second game left them in a good spot for the rest of the season. There was a lot of pop in the bats and the defense showed trends in the right direction. As the bats continue to get hotter with the weather, expect a run mid season from Brews on 1st to start drawing attention to their championship endeavors. 

NEXT GAME: 

5/4 – Canton Softball Center. 6:20, 7:30 and 8:45.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

Louie V – 6/7, 1 HR, 3 3B, 4 RBI, 4 R

P – 4/7, 1 3B, 5 RBI

Alex Mauri (Safari) – 6/7, 5 RBI

Chuck – 3/4, 2 BB, 2 2B, 5 RBI

Sean Clark – (Injury) Got to test out our new strikeout punishment