Menlo Park Legends end season with playoff losses

The Menlo Park Legends successful 2012 summer baseball season came to a disappointing end with back-to-back losses in the Far West League Playoffs on Saturday, August 4.

In game one, Humbolt Crab starter Ken Swannack and three relievers held the Legends to three runs despite surrendering eight hits and six walks.  Jt Greenhood and Pierson Jeremiah each had two hits for the Legends.  Starter Alon Leichman three five strong innings but ran into trouble in the top of the sixth when the Crabs scored three runs to take the lead for good.  Ricky Guerrero finished the final three frames without allowing a run.  Tyger Pederson and Jeff Keller continued their amazing success, each stealing a base, but neither could cross the plate.

Immediately after game one with the Crabs, the Legends faced a rematch with the Neptune Beach Pearl.  The Legends had defeated the Pearl 5 to 3 on Friday in the opening game of the playoffs and the Pearl was ready for revenge.   The Legends usually potent offense couldn’t generate enough to overcome the Pearl in a 7 to 3 elimination loss.

Guerrero heroically took the ball as the starter for the Legends and completed four good innings, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks.  Corey Zirbes, Brad Banker and Ryan Reese would each allow a run over the final five innings.   Pierson Jeremiah stayed hot for the day with four of the Legends seven hits.  Joe Goldenberg added an rbi single to the attack but the Pearl seemed to have a defender exactly where each Legend ball was hit solidly.

Manager David Klein was extremely proud of his team’s effort.  Trailing going into the bottom of the ninth, the Legends got two runners on and Jeremiah was anxiously waiting for another at-bat as the tying run when the final out was recorded.  Grant Nelson did a fine job of nursing the Legends pitchers through the game with his leadership behind the plate.