So how many team news can we write about this rookie that emerged out of nowhere. I could probably write another one highlighting the fact that for the second consecutive month he was named the top rookie in the Frick League. He did so after hitting another 8 homeruns in May while driving in 26 RBI and posting a .888 OPS for the month. He leads the team in nearly every offensive category, including his .343 average, 19 homeruns, and 49 RBI. But no, this team news about Alvin Conley is about a moment that topped our list for Kate's Kookies Moment of the Sim.
After a solid start to the "Heartland" portion of the schedule, Portland had fallen on hard times against the other FL division. The Lumberjacks squeaked out a win in the finale against Nashville and in repeat fashion found themselves losing the first 3 of a series to Omaha as a follow-up. Portland had lost 2 of the first 3 contests by 8 runs apiece and the team was hoping to save some face in the finale with a win.
Things looked good early for the visiting good guys as Portland scored a pair in the top of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. Daniel Frampton, the second batter of the game, deposited a homerun that barely left the part to direct right field and things were underway quickly.
Steffan Gimsing kept Omaha off the board until the 6th inning when Reggie Vargas hit a solo shot to cut the lead in half. The score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the 9th when Mons Raider turned it over to 40 year old closer Renato Lacerda. Yes, Lacerda may be 4th all-time in saves in BBA history, but he's not in his prime anymore. Lacerda never had much of a chance for a save. The second pitch he threw in the inning found its way out of the park, another homerun hit by Reggie Vargas and just like that the score was knotted at 2-2. Lacerda wiggled his way out of a two-out single to end the 9th and send the game to extra innings.
Portland went down without a wimper in the top of the 10th and Lacerda did what he couldn't do in the 9th and retired Omaha in order in the 10th. Oddly enough all 3 outs came via the strikeout. In the 11th, Daniel Frampton scratched out a one-out single and suddenly Portland was in business. When Frampton stole second base, Omaha made a questionable call. With the count 1-1 on Edward Roundfield and with 1st base open, Omaha elected to walk Roundfield intentionally to face, yep you guessed it, ALVIN CONLEY.
"I've made some boneheaded moves" commented Mons Raider, Portland manager after the game, "but to walk Edward to get to our hottest and best hitter in that situation doesn't make a lot of sense to me."
The decision to put two on for Conley sets up our Kate's Kookies Moment of the Sim
After a pair of balls and a pair of strikes to work the count to 2-2, Conley saw a pitch to his liking and hit a line drive that registered 108.8mph off the bat into left centerfield. The ball didn't stop until hit hit the wall. Conley raced into second with a stand up double and Frampton scored easily from 2nd. Roundfield did have to hold up at third and was left stranded after a Flores pop out to 1B.
Lacerda allowed a leadoff single and was pulled for Luis Equivel. Equivel retired two straight before surrending a single of his own. With 2 on and 2 outs (just like Portland had in the top half of the inning), Equivel got Will Bennet to ground out weakly to 1B to end the game and secure the lone victory in the series versus Omaha. All thanks to a rookie that has emerged out of nowhere.
