Fairbanks, AK – The Beer Brawl between Lavelle's Taphouse and the HooDoo Brewers entered chapter two on Wednesday, June 13^th, 2018 at West Valley Field.

Enveloped by the crisp air, covered by numerous clouds, and occasionally visited by the shy sun, RHP Will Alexander (L, 0-1) set the tone by pegging the first two batters, Steve Shaver and Dustin Avara.

Eventually, Alexander would go on to bean a total of five Brewers in under a three innings span and excite the Brew Crew to bark in disdain – of course, the assault was not intentional.

Quickly, the game looked too far out of range for the Tappers when the score reached 14-1 after four innings and Brewers starting RHP Nigel Morton (W, 1-0) was dealing. But keep this in mind, baseball is unpredictable.

Lavelle's Taphouse began to rally, drawing the score to 14-3 in the bottom of the 5^th. With two outs, runner on second, and Trey Stephens up to bat, Morton was looking to shut the door.

Swing and miss, strike three! However the pitch gets away from catcher Vernon Sommer, Stephens takes off for first. Sommer quickly recovers the ball then gets distracted by the runner on second taking off for third.

Amongst the confusion, the Stephens reaches first base without a throw and inning continues. That is when lefty George Griffen roped a double to right, scoring both runners, avoiding the 10-run mercy.

Despite the fight, the Tapper's uphill battle proved to be too steep of a climb. Right-handers Blake Stokley and Steve Shaver eventually lead the way to victory by holding down Lavelle's offense enough to secure a 14-8 victory.

WHY YOU HIT ME, BRO?

A total of 9 at-bats ended with someone getting plunked. Blake Stokely was nailed three times (and pegged two himself), Avara twice, Brock Jordan, Shaver, Telly Robideau, and Glen Gasaway each once.

NICE HITTING

HooDoo OF Chad Hooker goes 2-for-3 and should have had three hits if not for a great catch by Tappers OF Gasaway. Lavelle's Taphouse's first baseman Mike Cofey goes 1-for-2, that one hit being a three-run, bases-loaded single with an error on CF Shaver.

UP NEXT

Eielson Icemen (0-8) vs Fairbanks Pirates (5-3) - 7 PM Thursday, June 14, 2018 at West Valley Field

HooDoo Brewers (8-1) vs Lavelle's Taphouse (4-5) - 4 PM Sunday, June 17, 2018 at West Valley Field

Written by and photo credit: Mike Zuniga