(May 13th) -- CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ -- In a championship rematch between last year’s contenders, and possibly a preview of this year’s title games, the Pub 101 Young Bucs took on Bad Hombres in Cliffside Park. 

Game 1 started with a bang.  Bad Hombres broke out with 5 runs in the first, but Young Bucs answered right back with 6 in the bottom of the frame.  The Hombres weren't phased, however, tacking on 3 in the second and 1 in the third.  

Trailing 9 to 6, Young Bucs cut the lead to 2 runs in the bottom of the third.  After a defensive hold, they unleashed to the tune of 10 runs in the bottom of the fourth.  A 9-7 lead turned 17-9 deficit left Bad Hombres reeling but not out.  They would hold Young Bucs to just 1 more run through the final three innings to give themselves a chance.  Bad Hombres knocked in 3 in the fifth and 1 in the sixth to cut it to 18-13, but would only plate 1 more in the seventh.  Pub 101 Young Bucs were able to hold off Bad Hombres for the 18-14 victory. 

Pitcher Pat Clark and Jason Gareffa batted 1.000 in the game and each contributed a homerun.  HR's were also sent flying by Nick Robbins (2) and Mike Slade.  Robert Grippo led the way with 4 RBI’s on his 2 doubles.  The loss for Bad Hombres came despite the efforts of Danny and Diego Benitez, who both went 3 for 3 at the plate and had 2 homeruns apiece.

 Game 2 put the offensive juggernaut that is Pub 101 Young Bucs on full display.  The bats woke right back up and struck early and often.  Young Bucs smacked in 8 runs in the first and followed up with 3 in the second and 3 in the third.  Bad Hombres tried to withstand the siege and scored 1 in the first two innings before breaking out for 8 in the bottom of the third.  The Young Bucs were relentless, however, scoring 2, 3, 3, and 2 over the final 4 frames. 

To their credit, Bad Hombres certainly did not just roll over and quit though.  They chipped away with 1 in the fourth and 2 in the fifth, but, after an empty sixth, found themselves in a big hole in the bottom of the seventh down 24-12.  Bad Hombres would rally, but it wouldn’t be enough.  They knocked in 6 in the seventh and fell to Pub 101 Young Bucs by a score of 24-18. 

In completing the sweep, pitcher Pat Clark continued to put on the offensive clinic, finishing the game 5 for 5 and knocking in 2 more RBI’s.  Marc Pepin and Nick Robbins led the team with 5 RBI’s apiece, followed closely by Mike Slade with 4 RBI’s on his 2 homeruns.  Pepin and Jason Gareffa also enjoyed success with the long ball, each hitting a homerun.

There was certainly no shortage of runs on this day with these two slugging it out, but it was Pub 101 Young Bucs who came out on top with the sweep of defending champs Bad Hombres.  With the pair of wins, Young Bucs improved to 8-0 while Bad Hombres fell to 4-2.  Both, however, sit atop of their respective divisions.  If the two will meet again, it will have to be in the Diamond Cup at the end of the season.  Let’s hope for a round 3!