9-News: 36.046 – Nine to Host Hawks

[RonCo]

If there is such a thing as a must-win series in June, this coming three-game set would have to fit the bill. The Yellow Springs Nine will host the Omaha Hawks this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Omaha leads the division by seven and a half games.

“The math is pretty easy,” said Lucas McNeill, the team’s star first baseman. “We know what we need to do.”

Math or not, what the team will need to do is corral what is arguably the best offense in the league, an offense led by third baseman Emilo Morales and his 26 homers, and by second baseman James Monger, who is proving that last year’s numbers were no fluke. Yes, the Hawks play in a tinderbox of a ballpark, but the runs being scored by this offense is intimidating. Unless something happens to juggle the cards, the Hawks are start Poto Tornatore (5-1), Edris Mtume (7-4), and Adam Barnard (6-4), all right handed pitchers. They feature Jose Canales, perhaps the premier closer in the game.

Bottom line, as described by faux-podcaster Melissa Lester, Omaha is a juggernaut that’s just getting better as time goes. 15-11 in April, 18-10 in May, 16-4 so far in June.

The Nine are likely to counter with Hiroyasu Osaragi, Crash LaLoosh, and Dogface Chavez, though some conversation appears to be happening about the idea of giving Tim Oliver a spot-start. Other roster juggling is apparently being discussed regarding both shortstop Miguel Padilla and pitcher Tully Crow. Padilla is due to come off the DL soon, and Crow has been solid in the early days of his rehab assignment, making some insiders push to call him up.

“Well play with who we got,” said manager Bret Richards. “That’s all we can do.”