Video games have been a part of baseball since 1961, when “BBC Vik: The Baseball Demonstrator” was released on a IBM 1620 mainframe. The game lasted around 9 minutes with each play simulation being printed, letting the player know who hit the ball, when a base was stolen, when a ball was caught, and so forth. Since that time, there have been nearly 250 video baseball games produced. My favorite growing up was Intellivision Baseball, which perhaps is not quite as exciting as the Roblox Laundry simulator, but way more entertaining than current baseball games such as the PS5 2023 MLB The Show Digital Deluxe Edition, which recently showed up on my credit card bill.
The Dons offense at times made hitting look as easy as it is in video games, scoring 4 runs on 9 hits and 5 walks despite losing David Gonzales and Ben Pecci, who got called up to the show (aka Varsity). Cole Gwaltney, Brady Wall, and Augie Martinez had 2 hits each. Isaac Copen and Trevor McCarthy also registered hits. Jake Colaco got his first at bat and hit of the season following a long injury rehab, throwing his arms in the air as he got to first base with his teammates cheering. Brady Quinn had a nice snag on a foul ball while in the batters box before he left the game with an injury. Gwaltney had a clutch 2 out, 2 RBI single in the bottom of the 2nd inning.
The Dons defense gave up 12 runs on 15 hits, 4 walks, and 5 errors. Without starting outfielders Gonzales and Pecci, Copen got the start at center field, Gwaltney shifted to left field, and Henry Garbo got the start in right field. In the infield, changes included McCarthy starting at 1st base and Wall starting at 2nd base. Colaco got the start on the mound. He went 4 2/3 innings giving up 10 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks.
Gwaltney went 1/3 inning giving up 1 run on 1 hit. Wall pitched the last 2 innings, giving up 1 run on 5 hits and 1 walk.
Ultimately, 2 big innings by the Ugly Eagles proved too much to overcome for the Dons. In the 2nd inning, after 1 run scored, errors by the Dons allowed another 4 runs to score. And then in the 5th inning, with 2 outs and bases loaded following yet another Dons error, the Ugly Eagles put the game out of reach when the cleanup hitter stepped up to the plate against the Dons reliever and hit a no doubt grand slam over the left field fence.
I wanted to give shout outs to Jon Bauer for doing the scoreboard and livestream with video game worthy color commentary, and Kim Wampler for being the team mom and learning how to run GameChanger today.
Get to know Coaches: Jim’s favorite color is orange and Dan’s is green.
Please come out to support the team as they play cross-town rival Campolindo at home on Tuesday, May 2nd @ 4pm
