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DOBBS HAS BIG DAY FROM LEADOFF SPOT AT SoB
YOUNG MINERVA LF STEALS THE SHOW IN SIX-RUN WIN AT BEN FRANKLIN FIELD

PHILADELPHIA, PENN. (May 20, 1880) - Sons of Ben is hosting Minerva during Week Two of P.C.B.L. play, and even though Greenhorn of the Year Peter Stinson has yet to play due to injury S.o.B. is off to a 5-1 start. However, Minerva put another mark in their Loss column with an impressive display on Thursday afternoon:

Minerva won the game with an early barrage. They scored in T1 on a Sacrifice Fly and followed that up with a five-run rally in T2, during which the key hit was a two-run Triple by LF Edward Dobbs. That made it a 6-0 game after the opening pair of innings.

Sons of Ben whittled away at the Minerva lead over the next four innings, scoring once in B3 on a Single by 1B Bruce Nolan, twice in B5 on Singles from B.o.t.Y. Henry Yoder and C Floyd Dennis, and once more in T6 on Single by former N.B.B.O. All-Star Gus Carlson that made it a 6-4 game.

Minerva took their bats for the seventh inning and pushed their lead back up to five (9-4) with a three-run rally that was capped with a two-run Single by Dobbs. After a scoreless B7, Minerva then put a seal on the victory with another three-run rally in T8, this one powered by a Sacrifice Fly and a two-run Double from RF George Veach.

Minerva had five players finish with multiple Hits, but leadoff man Edward Dobbs was clearly Player of the Game:

• T1: Leadoff double to RF off C. Roberts (R)
• T2: 2-run Triple to RF off C. Roberts (R)
• T3: Single to LF off C. Roberts
• T5: Pop Fly Out to 3B (2 out)
• T7: 2-run Single past 2B off C. Roberts
• T8: Single to RF off M. Russell (SB, R)
• TOTAL: 5/6 (2B, 3B), 3 R, 4 RBI, SB, 8 TB – 85 GMSC

Dobbs is off to a great start in his first season as a member of the Minerva lineup, batting .450 (1.150) through eight games, with 14 Runs, 8 RBI, 5 Extra-Base Hits (2 2B, 3 3B), and 0.8 WAR.

Edward Dobbs is seen by the Philadelphia Writers Pool as someone with Batsman of the Year potential in the future. Having turned 23 in January, Dobbs has spent most of his 3+ years as a member of Minerva developing in the reserves, although he did get to start 23 games in 1878 due to injuries in the Outfield. He ended 1879 crowned as the #1 overall prospect in the league by the W.P., and he is currently graded 3.0/4.5 stars.

The result at Franklin Field left both Minerva and Sons of Ben with fine 5-2 records through seven games.