Apollos in New Orleans 2004 4-0-1
Game 1
Apollos beat East Atlanta Expos 25-11 at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, things didn't start well for the Apollos allowing 5 runs in the top of the first. However in the bottom of the first the Apollos scored 12 runs and would eventually own a 25-8 lead. Clifton Siems had two doubles and a three run homer, Mike Wilson hit a grand slam, Andrew Dunn had three hits and every Apollo scored a run. See the page from the scorebook here. Sonny Terrazas had his worst ever pitching performance in this game, allowing 8 runs in 4 innings.
Game 2
Apollos beat New Orleans Sun Devils 21-9 at East St John High School. Sonny Terrazas had three hits including a homer. Alex Dutka, Mike Wilson and Mike Estrada scored three runs. Kevin Hall set an Apollos record with 5 walks in a game.
Game 3 See Scorecard kept by Tournament.
Apollos tied the Raiders 5-5 at University of New Orleans. With a birth clinched in the qualifying round, the Apollos saved their pitching for the next day. The Raiders had a 5-0 lead going into the top of the 9th. So with the equipment all but packed up the Apollos stormed back with a bases loaded triple by Andrew Dunn, a double by Clifton Siems, and tied to game with an infield hit by Mike Estrada. Alex Dutka was brought on to save the tie.
Pitching wise for the Apollos Andrew Dunn, Mike Estrada, Sonny Terrazas, Clifton Siems and Todd all threw one or two innings allowing minimal runs/hits. The field was beautiful and players had to be separated after the game.
Game 4 Semifinal
Apollos beat East Atlanta Expos 10-9 at East St. John High School. The was an unbelievable game. The Apollos took a 2-1 lead into the third inning but the Expos exploded scoring three runs including a homer off Mike Wilson, Wilson would make it into the sixth before leaving with one out and guys on second and third and the score 6-6. Jason Von Hafen entered and gave a three run homer to the Expos 105 pound left fielder.. This riled the Expos fans and would likely eliminate the Apollos. The Apollos entered their last at bat down 9-6. Chris Gieselman was retired. Andrew Dunn drew a full count walk. Mike Wilson singled. Clifton Siems walked. Leaving the bases loaded for Mike Estrada. Estrada took his usual large hack and popped up. For the 3rd time this season the game was left in Sonny Terrazas's hands and Sonny came through. He dinked a ball over the second basemans head scoring Wilson and Dunn and with Siems hustle he went the third on the attempted throw went into the dugout scoring the tying run. This left Terrazas at third with two out and Kevin Hall at the plate, he would dink another ball over the second basemans head that dropped for the win. The rally was complete Apollos advance to championship game. Atlanta really hit the ball well in key situations scoring all of their runs on doubles and home runs. The Apollos scored their runs with great bunts from Alex Dutka, sacrifice flys and great grit from their players.
Game 5 Championship
Apollos beat Houston Skysox 11-9 at
Seagennte Park Alario Center. Alex pitched 5 solid innings 0 runs. The Apollos gained a 6-0 lead and had solid control of the game going into the seventh inning. The Sky Sox exploded for 9 runs in the top of the seventh off of Alex Sonny Terrazas came in to finally stop the bleeding. The Apollos again found themselves down 9-6 but they had three innings to rally. Chris Gieselman reached base on a pass ball strikeout. Eric O'Valley was hit by a pitch, Andrew Dunn walked. This brought Babe Ruth to the plate in the form of Mike Wilson and for the third time of the afternoon he hit a ball of the top of the 400' center field fence emptying the bases and giving the Apollos a 10-9 lead. Aaron Fielding hustled in a run in the 8th to give the Apollos a 11-9 lead. The Skysox really hit some balls hard all afternoon. All three Apollo Outfielders make great plays and well as the Apollo infielders. Mike Wilson had 5 rbi's and scored three runs going 4-4 with 2 doubles and a homer. Andrew Dunn went 2-3 with three runs. Chris Gieselman and Noe each also scored two runs. In an interesting move the Skysox manager choose to intentional walk Andrew Dunn to setup a double play. However the one thing he forgot was Mike Wilson was hitting behind Andrew Dunn, this angered Wilson who hit the first pitch he saw off the Centerfield fence.
Throughout the Tournament all of the Apollos played better defense than their opponent with Alex Dutka, Mike Estrada, Rene Chapa, Noe, Kevin Hall and Clifton Siems anchoring the infield and Mike Wilson, Chris Gieselman, Sonny Terrazas in the outfield and Andrew Dunn and this was the reason the Apollos were able to outlast the other teams and win the tournament along with Mike Wilson's bat.
