The ATC Spiders have climbed their record to 6-11 leading into their Sunday DH vs. Winking Lizard (7-7) and Steve's Sports (8-6). ATC has just 4 remaining games before the playoffs begin. Here is a look back at the seasons highlights thus far.

The team struggled at the beginning of the season, both on the field and getting players to show up, starting 0-4 including two forfeits. The team now being led solely by Matt Trotto won the next two games by shutting out The Cleveland Chiefs 10-0 led by newly acquired Dan Harrington.

Jared Lease then did something never before accomplished by any Spider pitcher. Facing the Ohio Cardinals (7-10), Lease tossed a no hitter allowing just 1 baserunner (walk). This was Lease's first win of the season.

ATC then lost several games in a row, some closer than others. The defense being the Achilles heel. After falling to 2-11, an all-time low never experienced the team got back on track. John Bakalar made his 1st appearance of the season and earned a win 4-3 over the Chiefs and Alex Botsch earned his 1st save. Jared Lease then fired another beauty, shutting out C-Town (5-16) by a score of 1-0, giving Lease his 2nd win on the year. Then last evening the team shocked CMBC (12-7) by a score of 4-2. All 4 runs came in the top of the 7th to give Dan Harrington (2-1) his 2nd win of the year and Tim LaBar threw a scoreless 7th for the save.

In the opening round of the playoffs, The Beavers (3-23) played with nothing to lose and upset ATC (12-14) by a score of 5-2. The Beavers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st on an RBI single. The Beavers added 2 more runs in the 4th on a 2 run single. ATC cut it to 3-1 when Jim Conway hit a SAC Fly with no one out and that was all ATC could come up with. In the 6th, The Beavers broke the game open with 2 run single with 2 outs to go up 5-1. In the bottom half of the inning, Greg Bennett hit a 2 out RBI 2B to make it 5-2. ATC then went 1-2-3 in the 7th to end a frustrating season. Mike Allen was the hard luck losing pitcher, gave the team a strong effort despite having to battle a tight strike zone all night. Matt Trotto led the team at the plate, reaching base all three times and scoring 2 runs. The story of the game, and really the year was the inability to get the timely hit needed, as 8 runners were stranded (5 in scoring position) vs. The Beavers.

The final day of the regular season was meaningful to one team, meaningless to the other. Regardless, CMBC (19-6) threw one of their top pitchers vs ATC (12-13) and it looked to be in doubt early as CMBC jumped out to a 3-0 lead after 2 innings. ATC's stagnant offense was held down for the 1st 4 innings, managing just 4 hits and striking out 5 times. Starter Rob Pecl really settled down and battled through 5 innings, keeping ATC in the game by allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and pitching around 6 walks. In the 5th CMBC brought in a lefthanded sidewinder to close out the last 3 innings. ATC took advantage of his wildness, as they scored 2 runs on 3 HBP's and 2 BB's to cut it to 3-2. Jared Lease was brought in to keep the game close after Pecl walked the lead off man to start the 6th, and did so working out of the jam. In the top of the 7th with runners on 1st and 3rd, Matt Trotto hit an RBI groundout to tie it 3-3. Trotto then stole 2nd, and Taylor Kraus doubled him in with 2 out to take the lead. Lease closed it out with a 1-2-3 7th to pick up his 5th win. He also led the team at the plate going 1-1 with a BB and HBP. Trotto and Kraus each had 2 RBI's.

With C-Town (12-13) falling to Bedford (16-9) 9-2 last nite, ATC clinches 4th place and will play The Beavers on Tuesday, 8:00 @ Gordon #3. ATC previously beat The Beavers 5-2 this past Sunday.

ATC (11-13) came up short in a tight one with The Bedford Bearcats (15-9), losing 2-0. Bedford proved to be two timely hit better than ATC, as they had their chances by stranding 7 runners on the night. Starter Alex Botsch gave the team 3 2/3 solid innings but ran into trouble in the 4th, when Bedford scored on an RBI single and double. Jared Lease came in with the bases loaded and 2 out and shut Bedford down the rest of the way, allowing just a single in the 7th as the only baserunner. In the bottom of the 4th ATC loaded the bases with no one out, but were unable to plate any runs after a strike out and grounding into a double play. That would be the last threat put up, as Bedford's starter threw a perfect 5th, 6th and 7th. This marks the 5th time this year ATC's bats have been shutout.

The loss gives ATC just their 2nd losing regular season in 10 years. With C-Town Woodies (12-12) beating The Ohio Cardinals (5-18) 6-4 last night, ATC will need some help in order to clinch 4th to set up a 1st round matchup with #7 The Beavers on Tuesday. ATC must beat CMBC (19-5) and C-Town must lose Thursday, otherwise finishes in 5th and will play #6 Brooklyn Hurricanes Wednesday.

If not for 2 forfeits, ATC has gotten hot at the right time winning 6 of the last 7 games they have played with a 5-2 win over a scrappy Beavers team. The team jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning by RBI singles by Matt Trotto and Tim LaBar. John Bakalar made his first start in nearly 4 weeks after injuring his arm and threw 3 scoreless while scattering 2 hits and racking up 6 K's to earn his 3rd win. Mike Allen added an RBI single in the 3rd, and Jim Conway knocked in a run in the 3rd to take a 4-0 lead. In the 6th LaBar knocked in his 2nd RBI. In the bottom half of the inning, The Beavers scored 2 to cut it to 5-2. LaBar was brought in for the 7th and picked up his 3rd save on the year, to complete his big day (2-3, 2 RBI, SB). Allen threw well in relief, throwing 3 innings allowing 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 4. The win improves ATC to 4th place at 11-12 with 2 games remaining and looking to hold onto their current position and meet the Beavers again in the 1st round of the playoffs next week.

Alex Botsch (1-0, 0.00) makes his second start for ATC vs The Bedford Bearcats (14-9).

After being forced to forfeit holding a 1-0 lead vs. Steve's Sports (14-5) due to ATC (10-12) not having a catcher's mask, ATC bounced back in a big way vs. rival C-Town Woodies (10-12) with a 9-1 thumping. Led by a balanced offense, that worked walks and some timely hits led to season high 9 runs. Jared Lease continues his dominant year on the mound, by going the distance allowing just 1 unearned run while scattering 5 hits and adding 7 K's. Lease also added a 2 run 2B to help his cause. Troy Matthews led the team with 2 hits and Matt Trotto led the team with 2 RBI's.

ATC is forced to forfeit Saturday's game vs The Cleveland Blackwolves, and will be back in action Sunday vs. The Beavers @ Gordon Park 2:00PM.

The last time ATC (9-10) squared off with the 7th place Ohio Cardinals (5-15) they were able to pull off a dramtic win, in part to no offense. Last nite ATC came out swinging, getting 9 hits from a balanced lineup and working 8 walks. ATC then had a team high 5 stolen bases to lead them to a 6-4 win. Starter Rob Pecl was asked to eat some innings for a tired staff, and did just that throwing 4 1/3 quality innings, allowing 4 runs to pick up his 1st win. ATC worked the Cardinals starter for 2 runs in the despite not getting a hit. They then tacked on runs in the 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th. The bullpen held up as Jared Lease and Tim LaBar combined for 2 2/3 scoreless with a hit, walk and 7 K's, with LaBar picking up his 2nd save. Troy Matthews led the team with 2 hits and Mike Allen scored 2 runs and had 2 SB's.

ATC will get some much needed rest, and pick up on Tuesday 7:30 @ Brookside vs. 2nd place Steve's Sports (12-5).

After losing so many close games because lack of offense and great pitching, ATC (7-10) wound up on the flip side for a change, beating CMBC (15-4) 2-1 last night. Alex Botsch was the story of the game, tossing 5 strong innings allowing just 1 unearned run, while scattering 4 walks and 4 hits to earn his 1st win in his first start for ATC since last year. ATC struck for its only offensive support in the bottom of the 3rd, when Rob Pecl hit a 2-run single to LF. The 2 RBI give him a team leading 10. Botsch pitched in and out of a few jams, but CMBC scored their only run on a double steal in the 5th that ATC botched. he then got himself out of a bases loaded jam. ATC squandered a few chances to get some insurance, but it never came back to haunt them, as it has in games past. Jared Lease threw 2 perfect innings in relief, to record the save. Although the team only managed 5 hits, Tim LaBar broke out of his slump and collected 2 hits.

Next game is Thursday, July 1 7:30 @ Brookside vs The Ohio Cardinals (5-13). Rob Pecl will make his 1st start of the season for ATC.

Playing an unusual night time doubleheader, ATC (7-9) snapped its 6 game losing streak, beating the Chiefs (2-14) twice.

In Game 1, The Chiefs jumped out to a 3-0 lead off starter Justin Shullick. The offense left 7 players on through the 1st 3 innings alone but were able to come back, led by RBI's from Troy Matthews and Rob Pecl. With the game tied 3-3 in the top of the 6th, Mike Allen knocked in Taylor Kraus to take the lead. Shullick settled down and pitched a great game, going into he 7th but turning to Tim LaBar to record the save. Labar walked his first hitter to put runners on 1st and 2nd 1 out , but K'd the next two batters. Shullick scattered just 5 hits over 6 1/3, allowing 3 runs, 3 BB's and 4 K's. Allen and Ricky Hiles each had 3 hits, as the team pounded out 11.

Game 2, turned into a duel of pitchers. Jared Lease was his usual dominant self, but the offense was unable to support him in the early go. ATC appeared to pick up where left off, when took 1-0 lead in the 2nd when Rob Pecl scored on an RBI single by Greg Bennett. The Chiefs scrapped for runs in the 4th and 6th to take a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 6th. ATC then rallied with 2 outs and a runners on when 4 straight walks and a 2-run single by Taylor Kraus cracked the game open to 5-2. Lease then allowed a hit and a walk in the 7th with 1 out but was able to close it out for his 3rd win and 2nd complete game on the year. The team managed just 3 hits but the win was keyed by 10 walks. Bennett and Kraus each had 2 RBI's to lead the team.

For the second time this season ATC (5-9)was forced to play with 8 players, and was shutout by The Bedford Bearcats (10-6) by a score of 10-0. In the 1st inning ATC put men on 2nd and 3rd but having to take an out in the 9th spot, strategically could not get the runs in. Mike Allen held down The Bearcats for the first two innings, but they struck for 2 runs with 2 outs in the 3rd when a routine flyball was hit to right, but a short handed OF could not make the play. In the 4th a costly error allowed 4 unearned runs to score. Bedford scored 3 more in the 5th to make it 9-0. In the top of the 6th, ATC rallied with the bases loaded and 1 out but grounded into a double play. Bedford then ended the game with a base hit in the 6th. The next game is a nite time doubleheader starting at 6:15 for the first game at Talty. Justin Shullick (1-1, 1.45) will make his 3rd start for ATC in game one. Second game is 8:15 start time and the starter is TBA.

With a chance to knock off 1st place Steve's Sports (9-2) being 6 outs away, ATC (5-8) let them slip away with a 4-3 win. The loss is ATC's 5th in a row, longest in the teams 10 year history. ATC jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of 1st off a double steal by Mike Allen and Zack Schreiber, then an RBI single by Rob Pecl with 2 outs. ATC then made it 3-0 in the 3rd when Matt Trotto knocked in Allen. Starter Jared Lease pitched outstanding through 4 innings. In the 5th Steve's strung together a couple hits and then an error allowed them to cut the lead to 3-2. In the 5th ATC had 2nd and 3rd no one out but two baserunning blunders got Steve's out of the inning without any damage. Steve's then scored 2 more in the 6th to take the lead. In the bottom of the 7th, ATC was able to get a 1 out walk and advance to 2nd on a passed ball, but the last two batters struck out to strand the tying run. Lease deserved better than what he got, as he turned in another solid outing. Allen was solid out of the pen throwing 1.2 scoreless. Mike Allen (0-2, 1.71) takes the hill looking to end the skid.

OF Matt Trotto and 1B Greg Bennett have been named ATC 2 All-Star representatives. The game is Friday, July 9th 7:00 at Brookside Park.

ATC (5-7) dropped its 4th in a row to rival C-Town Woodies (6-6) 4-0 last night at Gordon Park. The offense got going in the early go having 7 runners on in the first 4 innings but were unable to get the big hit to drive anyone in. Meanwhile, C-Town manufactured runs off infield hits, bunts, steals, errors and then getting the big hit when needed. They did the most damage off starter John Bakalar with 2 outs, scoring 3 of their 4 runs that way. C-Town's starter after the 4th allowed just 1 baserunner and struck out 6 with just 1 walk. Matt Trotto single in the 1st inning extended his hit streak to 5 games, as he continues to lead the offense with a .448 AVG. The loss drops ATC into 5th place in The National League, behind Steve's Sports (8-2), CMBC (8-3), Bedford Bearcats (6-6) and C-Town (6-6).

Thursday ATC takes on 1st place Steve's Sports 7:30 @ Gordon Park. Jared Lease (2-1, 2.33) makes his 4th start.

The Lake Erie Buckeyes (8-2) shutout shorthanded ATC (5-6) team, 10-0 Sunday morning. ATC started the game with 8 players and were forced to take 3 outs at the bottom of the order despite having a roster of 17. ATC managed to have runners on 1st and 2nd in the top of the 1st but were unable to come away with anything. Justin Shullick got into a jam but worked out of it in the 1st and ATC seemed poised to make it a game, but never did. The Buckeyes got 6 runs in the 2nd on 3 errors in the infield and that was all they needed. The offense continues to struggle as a number of runners were left on base. Matt Trotto led the team with 3 hits including a 3B and Zack Schrieber reached base all 3 times on a walk. The loss is ATC's 3rd in a row, something not experienced since two years ago. ATC will battle Tuesday vs C-Town Woodies (5-5) 8:00 @ Gordon, with 3rd place on the line.

ATC (5-5) dropped its second game in a row to drop to .500, as they lost in an upset to a weaker Ohio Cardinals (3-6) team 2 to 1. Mike Allen pitched another gem but lack of offense drops him to 0-2 despite deserving of a better record. Allen scattered just 5 hits over 6 2/3. IN the 3rd ATC got its lone run on a 1st and 3rd steal than enable Eric Vajda to score. In the 5th The Cardinals tied it with a 2 out single that scored a runner from 2nd. In the 7th with two outs a single in the gap ended the game as The Cardinals picked up just their 3rd win of the year. The team collected just 5 hits, led by the continued hot bat of Greg Bennett (2-3, 2B) and Matt Trotto (1-3, 5th 2B of year).

ATC plays The Lake Erie Buckeyes (7-2) Sunday 11:00AM @ Brookside.

With a chance for an early lead in 2nd place on the line, ATC (5-4) came out flat and CMBC (7-2) took control early. Starter Jared Lease struggled in the early go, allowing an early run but setteled down with 2 outs and the bases loaded. A flyball was lofted and misccommunicated on and fell in for a hit allowing all 3 runs to score to make it 4-0. CMBC then tacked on 2 runs in the 2nd. For the next 4 innings Lease allowed no runs on just 1 hit. The offense did it not get going until late, as they were being no-hit until middle of the 4th. After that ATC had 7 runners combined LOB in the 5th, 6th and 7th and 10 total for the game. The loss drops them to 3rd but will still play CMBC twice. The offense was led by Taylor Kraus and Matt Trotto who each had 2 hits and BB each. Alex Botsch threw a scoreless inning with 2 K's in the 7th.

Next game is Thursday 8:00 @ Gordon #3 with Justin Shullick (1-0, 0.00) making his second start against The Ohio Cardinals (2-5).

Despite playing the worst team in the division, The Cleveland Chiefs (1-5), ATC (5-3) got a game out of it and it was a good one, luckily pulling it out for a 2-1 win. After having his worst start in years, John Bakalar followed it up with one his best performances going the distance scattering 3 hits, zero walks and 8 K's. In what turned into a pitchers duel, The Chiefs struck first after a pair of errors to start the 4th, The Chiefs lined a single scoring a run to make it 1-0. That turned out to be the only real threat up by the Chiefs. ATC got the run back when with 2 outs and runner on 3rd and errant throw pulled 1st basemen off bag allowed Matt Trotto to score. Fast forward to the 7th with the bases loaded 1 out, Eric "DJ EV" Vajda placed a perfect suicide squeeze scoring Ricky Hiles to make it 2-1. That would be the only run ATC was able to manage and The Chiefs were retired 1-2-3 in the 7th. Trotto led the team with 2 hits including a 2B and a run.

Next game is Sunday 2:00 vs The Cleveland Blackwolves (5-2) 2:00pm @ Gordon.

In an important division game, new addition Justin Shullick threw lights out to beat The Bedford Bearcats 3-1. Shullick allowed just 1 hit over 5 scoreless and the defense made several plays led by 2B Eric Vajda. ATC scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd with 2 outs when Mike Allen and Shullick each had RBI singles that scored Greg Bennett and Alex Botsch. Jared Lease was brought in to close it out and worked out of trouble only allowing a run but throwing 2 solid innings for the save. ATC got an insurance run on an RBI fielders choice by Allen scoring Vajda. The win improves team to 4-3 with a showdown with the last place Cleveland Chiefs (1-4) Thursday @ Gordon #3 8:00PM.

Winking Lizard (3-3) jumped out early against ATC (3-3) and survived a late comeback, beating them 7-5. Starter John Bakalar had his worst outing in years, getting pummeled in just 1.1 Innings allowing 7 runs, 5 in the 1st alone. A botched double play in the 2nd got Winking Lizard 2 more runs to jump out to a 7-1 lead. ATC was able to cut it to 7-4 in the 3rd when Matt Trotto was hit with the bases loaded and Greg Bennett delivered a 2-run single. Mike Nieberding held it down in relief throwing 4.2 scoreless with 3 K's and scattering 3 hits. ATC was held scoreless in the 4th, 5th and 6th despite leaving a total of 5 runners stranded. In the 7th Trotto hit an RBI 2B to cut it to down 2 but ATC couldn't scrap anymore. The team continues to swing the bats well, notching 11 hits and newcomer Justin Shullick had a nice debut going 1-3 with a BB and SB. Unfortunately, they got their worst starting pitching performance of the year and were just unable to come back. ATC plays The Bedford Bearcats Tuesday 8:00 @ Gordon Park with Mike Allen making his 2nd start.

ATC (3-2) beat rival C-Town Woodies (3-2) 8-2 last night to own the tiebreaker for 2nd place. C-Town jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st and ATC scored 2 in the 2nd and never looked back. 9 starters had a hit and the team pounded out a season high 15. Mike Allen had a big 2 run 2B, meanwhile Rob Pecl and Alex Botsch each had 2 RBI's. Jared Lease improved to 2-0 by throwing 6 strong innings, allowing 2 runs while scattering 7 hits with no walks. Tim LaBar threw a scoreless 7th and struck out 3. ATC now plays American League foe Winking Lizard (2-3) with John Bakalar (1-0, 2.33) making his 3rd start.

Last night at Talty Steve's Sprts edged ATC 3-2 with a walkoff win in the bottom of the 7th. ATC (2-2) has let Steve's Sports (3-0) slip away with several blown leads and close victories over the years and just add this to the list. Steve's jumped to a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning with a 2 out single scoring the runner from second base. They then tacked on a run in the 3rd with another 2 out base hit. In the top of the 4th ATC had its opportuntiy as they loaded the bases with 2 outs and last games hero, Greg Bennett delivered again, lining a 2-run single to right to tie it. Starter Mike Allen kept battling and settled in for the next 3 innings as the game turned into a great pitchers duel. ATC had opportunities in the 5th with runners 1st and 2nd and 1 out and led the 7th off with a leadoff walk but was caught trying to move on a pass ball. In the 7th Steve's hit a 2B with 1 out and then moved over to 3B on a wild pitch. The next batter lofted a fly ball to RF Jared Lease who made the play and made strong throw to force runner not to tag. The next batter lined a tough in the infield that scored the winning run. Allen pitched magnificent as is, especially after a year long layoff and deserved a better result. ATC battles division rival C-Town Woodies with Jared Lease taking the hill.

Always a sleepy team on Sunday mornings, ATC (2-1) found themselves down to The Old Brooklyn Hurricanes (1-2) late but rallied for a dramatic win in the 7th. The game was a pitchers duel all game, with The Hurricanes starter getting the best of them through 6 innings of play. They struck for the 1st run in the bottom of the 2nd when the hit a 2 out single up the middle. They followed it with another run in the 3rd on a single to left. ATC was able to cut it to 2-1 in the 3rd on an RBI by groundout by Jared Lease scoring Alex Botsch. That was the score until the bottom of the 7th, when ATC began mounting their comeback. With runners on 1st and 2nd with no one out Matt Trotto was hit on a 1-2 count to load the bases. John Bakalar then had an RBI to tie it. After a groundout to make it 2 down with bases loaded, Greg Bennett was the hero by walking in the winning run on a 3-2 count after fouling off several pitches to keep the at bat alive. Bakalar picks up his 1st win of the year, going the distance to earn it. ATC got some defensive help from OF's Mike Allen, Ryan Krivosh and Trotto. SS Ricky Hiles made several plays as well. Tuesday night ATC battles Steve's Sports (2-0) with 1st place on the line, with Mike Allen toeing the hill.

ATC (1-1) picked up their 1st win of the year behind a strong outing by Jared Lease who threw a complete game shutout vs. The Ohio Cardinals (1-1) 9-0. Lease scattered 6 hits while tallying 8 K's. In the 1st inning ATC jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Taylor Kraus doubled in troy Matthews and Rob Pecl. ATC never looked back as Lease cruised the entire way, having never had a runner reach 3rd. In their triumphant return Mike Allen reached base 3 times and Zack Schreiber went 1-1 with 2 BB's and 3 runs. Tim LaBar added 2 hits in his season debut. Next game is Sunday 11AM @ Brookside with John Bakalar (0-0, 2.80) taking the hill.

The beginning of the ATC franchises 10th season did not start as hoped. ATC (0-1) was unable to hold onto a 4-0 lead, as the Elyria Buffaloes (1-0) came away with a 5-4 win to open CABL season. In the 1st inning the bats got going as Rob Pecl hit a SAC Fly to score Jimmy Conway from 3rd to jump to a 1-0 lead. ATC was able to take on 1 more run in the 2nd and 2 more in the 4th with RBI's by John Bakalar, Eric Vajda and Jimmy Conway. Bakalar cruised through 3 innings but walks, errors, a blown call then some hits allowed Elyria to cut the deficit to 4-3 in the 4th. After the 4th ATC's bats were held down. In the top of the 6th Elyria knocked Bakalar out of the game with a leadof 2B. Newcomer Mike Nierbing was brought in and recorded a big strike out for the 1st out. A SB moved the runner to 3rd but ATC got a second out. The next batter was HBP, setting up 1st and 3rd with 2 outs. An errant ill advised pickoff throw to 1st allowed the tying run to score and move the runner from 1st to 2nd. The batter then blooped in what was eventually GW hit to make it 5-4. ATC then went 1-2-3 in the 7th. A disappointing way to start the year, but some bright spots as the hitters did well and despite 4 errors there was some good defense in infield by Matthews, Vajda and Ricky Hiles. Next game is Thursday 5/20 @ Gordon 7:30 vs Ohio Cardinals.