2007 County Champions!!!

2008 Whitfield County Early Bird Champions

Remember to bring your camera to each game to take action photos

Forward these pics. to cubspics@westsidecubs.net

2008 Game Schedule Now Available

Cubs Batting Leaders:Logan Hilton .532, Jackson Bell .500, Drew Guffey .486, TRey Hasty .412

Cubs Pitching Leaders: Logan Hilton 34 Innings -71 K's, Jackson Bell -29 innings 44 K's, Drew Guffey 21 Innings -37 K's,

Cubs Vs. Pleasant Grove Mudcats

Cubs 8 - Mudcats 2

Our second regular season game of the year, against Pleasant Grove, was "all" Cubs. While we may not have looked as good at the plate as we did in our first game, it is very difficult to hit the ball when you see very few strikes. Many of our players did not have the patience to wait on hittable pitches and were swinging at pitches out of the strike zone. It is very difficult to get base hits on pitches out of the strike zone. However, our Cubbies had only 4 strike-outs, despite seeing very few hittable pitches, so we are beginning to make contact. If we can make contact on bad pitches, we should begin to see fewer two-strike, strikeouts since we are beginning to "protect the plate" on pitches that are close to the strike zone. Also, I don't think we had any player that took a called third strike for a strike out. This, in itself, is a dramatic improvement. This tells the coaches that our Cubbies may be listening even though it seems we get a blank stare back from them when we "lecture".

Drew Guffey started the game as pitcher, and picked up his first win of the season. Drew gave up only one run in three innings of work. The Mudcats first batter grounded to Jackson Bell at second base, who did an excellent job of charging the ball, fielding the ball with two hands, and making a good throw to first to beat a speedy runner by an eyelash. This was a textbook example of how a Cubs infielder should field every ground ball. It he had not performed the play as the coaches have been teaching, the runner would have been safe. This was especially important since the next batter reached on a base hit to right field. This would have put runners at first and third and could have changed the whole outcome of the game. Drew then walked the third batter before striking out the #4 batter, and walking the #5 batter. With the bases now loaded, Drew reached back and struck out the #6 batter to end the inning. The success of the entire inning can be attributed to the play made by Jackson on the grounder by the lead-off batter.

Blake Ownbey led off our Cubs base runners with a walk, and then stole second on a straight steal (no passed ball). Blake advanced to third on a passed ball and then scored on a ground out by Henson Gibbs. Henson picked up his first Cubs RBI simply by "putting the ball in play".

Blake Ownbey Scored the lone Cubs run in the first inning.

Cubs 1 Mudcats 0

In the Mudcats second inning, Drew began to settle down and find the strike zone with more consistency. After walking the first batter and allowing the runner to steal second base, Clay Phillips threw a bullet-strike to Henson Gibbs at third base, who made a spectacular tag on a steal attempt. After watching Clay make this throw, the Mudcats coaches were far more cautious in base stealing attempts. Drew then struck out the next two batters to end the inning with no Mudcats on base.

Cubs 1 Mudcats 0

In the Cubs second inning, the Cubs began to get on track at the plate. Drew led off the inning with a base hit to center field and then stole second base. Jackson followed with his first of two hits and got his first RBI of the season to score Drew. Jackson later scored by stealing home. Jackson's base hit was followed by walks by Paxton Bennett, Chip Brown, and Trey Hasty. Logan Hilton singled to right field, and then Blake Ownbey stepped up to the plate to clear the bases with a home run to left field. There was nothing "cheap" about this home run. The ball was hit into the gap and did not involve a fielding error. Blake is not exactly our fastest runner, so the ball really had to be tagged for Blake to round the bases. Blake's home run was his first of the year. Batting in the #2 spot is one is one of the most difficult spots to earn RBI's.

Drew Guffey, Jackson Bell, Paxton Bennett, Chip Brown, and Logan Hilton each scored in the inning. Statistically Blake's run was the 6th run of the inning. While we count this run in Cubs stats, this run is not counted in the official box score, because of the 5-run rule. It is counted as a home run in both Cubs and County stats.

Cubs 6 Mudcats 0

In the Mudcats 3rd inning, Drew struck out the first batter of the inning, and then allowed a double to left field to the second batter of the inning. This batter eventually scored on a ground out. The third batter grounded to Blake Ownbey at shortstop. Blake made a sensational play in charging the ball, fielding the ball with two hands, and coming up throwing to first base for the second out of the inning. It was a very smooth, effortless play that looked like a play that you would see major league shortstops make. Very similar to Jackson's play at 2nd base in the first inning, the play changed the complexion of the inning. The next batter was hit by a pitch, before Drew retired the last batter of the inning on a strike out.

Cubs 6 Mudcats 1

In the Cubs 3rd inning, the only Cubs hit was a hard hit, line drive single to left field by Henson Gibbs. Henson has found his hitting stroke. Henson was erased by a fielders choice play by the next batter. A caught stealing and a ground out ended the Cubs 3rd with no runs scored.

Cubs 6 Mudcats 1

Henson came in to pitch in the Mudcats 4th inning. This was his first appearance of the regular season. After walking the first batter, Henson began to settle down and find the strike zone. The second batter grounded out to Jackson at second base and the first batter (walk) scored on the fielders choice. Henson struck out the third batter, walked the 4th batter, and struck out the last batter of the inning to shut the Mudcats down. Henson did not allow a base hit in the game.

Cubs 6 Mudcats 2

With the Cubs lead now cut to only 4 runs, a five inning regulation game, and plenty of time left on the clock, the Cubs needed two runs to put the game out of reach (6 runs) in the 4th inning. Jackson Bell came through in the clutch, and singled. Jackson was followed by Paxton Bennett, who tripled driving in Jackson. Paxton now represented the winning run (statistically). After fighting back from an 0-2 count Dakota Ware walked. Paxton Bennett scored the final run by stealing home to end the game.

While the Cubs might not have looked "impressive" to onlookers, they made huge strides in putting into action some of the things we have been teaching during Spring training. This was evident both at the plate and in fielding. As long as our Cubbies continue to improve each game and use the skills we teach we are pleased with the result - win or lose. Most of all, they are slowly beginning to come together as a team and have fun.

Cubs Batting

Blake Ownbey 1 for 1 with 1 RBI - Home run, 3 RBI’s 2 runs scored

Jackson Bell 2 for 2

Logan Hilton 1 for3

Henson Gibbs 1 for 2

Drew Guffey 1 for 2

Paxton Bennett 1 for 1 with a triple

Cubs Pitching

Drew Guffey Winning Pitcher

6 K's

2 hits

5 Walks