[stevem810]

I took over the reins for Traverse City in the first game of the 3 day weekend in part to face off against one of the K leaders from the first week, 31 year old Nick Cairns, winner of the opening game last Friday, and secondly to familiarize myself with more teams observing their play.

Nick walked one and whiffed eight last week in going 8 innings on 103 PC.
This week, Cairns demonstrated both his control and K capacity as he didn't walk anyone and fanned 7. He gave up just 2 runs.

Those 2 runs were enough for the Bears who received a stellar performance from their #1 guy, Jesus Cortez who flattened his W/L record to 1-1. 16 year old Jesus threw an even 100 pitches holding the White Pines to just a single run. He gave up 3 walks and whiffed the same number.

Second sacker Chris King, struggling mightily this young season hitting a scant .063, delivered a solo 5th inning home run that put the Bears in the lead for good.

The Traverse City bullpen might be a strength for the ball club. Josh Rogers worked a scoreless 8th inning fanning 2, and the hightly touted 21 year old closer from Livonia, MI. pitched the 9th earning his first save. Danny 'Beefsteak' Williams has yielded one hit in 1.2 IP.

So, the Bears are now 2-2, while the home team White Pines slip to 1-3.