• "We even lose them in an exciting fashion", said Grasshopper co-coach Steve Rothman.

The Grasshoppers took the 8-7 loss to the Muckdogs in stride Saturday 4/29, as the recap of the game showed fundamentals coming into place.

Bradley Fischer started as pitcher for the Grasshoppers and pitched well. After allowing 4 runs in the first inning, he settled down and the Grasshoppers responded by tieing the game. Bradley finished the day with 9 strikeouts in 3 innings. This ties a league record. Matthew Rothman came in the 4th inning and provided another solid outing.

"We ran well, our hitters put the ball in play and we showed good defensive effort," said Steve."The Muckdogs were on their game, and when you make three inning ending defensive plays like their first baseman, Ryan Corchoran, it's that much more difficult to overcome a deficit. We know what we have to do and we will continue to build on our strengths."

The game ball was presented to Jake Gantman, the Grasshoppers highly rated catcher. Jake called a good game and handled the pitchers well.

The Grasshoppers have arranged practice sessions at 6 p.m. at Jackson Field on Fridays.

• Chris Puccio, in his first pitching start for the Grasshoppers, gave the team a solid 2+ inning gem today against the pesky Sand Gnats. Alex Gerome came in to relieve the exhausted Puccio and finished the 6 inning dual.

Co-coach Ken Gerome was pleased with his new found pitcher. "Chris gave us what we needed today and the team responded well by giving Chris some solid defense and runs. With Chris pitching like this, we can rest our other pitchers a bit more. As with most teams in this league, we do not exactly have a surplus of pitching"

When the coach was further pressed for game details, he said" I cannot say enough about our right centerfielder, Jason Barbagallo, and his do-or die catch. That one could have been a disaster if it got past him. Of course, there was catcher Jake Gantman's inning ending throw out of a baserunner at 2nd base, while attempting to steal. That was big because it stopped a potentially big inning. Also, we can't forget about Puccio's great plays at 1st base either."

The Grasshoppers have now improved their record to 2-1 and feel they are in a great position to break out at this time.

The game ball was presented to Chris Puccio for his solid pitching and great defensive play.