Hot Corners: Beginning of a Dynasty

by PRAKNASTY

After being unceremoniously fired from the Blowfish for reasons out of his control, Buck Wing was approached by the commissioner of the league to lead a new expansion team as it's manager. Making his choice, Buck must now take a team full of old and new players to the Promised Land and keep them from killing one another. Can he do it? Tune in to find out! #TheNastyOne

22. What Does this Team Want to Do?

AN: FINALLY THE NASTY ONE HAS COME BACK TO FANFICTION!

Welcome back everybody to the next chapter of the Hot Corners Dynasty here on the site as we begin Year 4 with today's chapter. For this season we're breaking it down into halves as it really was a tale of two seasons in a sense for those who watched it happen with me on Twitch and YouTube. Let's get ready to jump into the action and see if the team will start strong or meander their way through the first half of the year! Let's go!

Chapter 22: What Does this Team Want to Do?

== Game 1 vs. Herbisaurs ==

The new season was getting underway today as the team looked to put the disastrous year three behind them. Coming off toting the worst record in the league last season, the team went out in free agency and signed some new blood to strengthen the team's lineup while also attempting to assist and ailing pitching staff. The team brought in multiple rookies:

1B/DH Khalil Rogers, 3B Vanessa Copeland, SP Rent Hatter, RP Niko Plough, UTIL Tyree Freeman, SS/3B Dawson Longstroke, and SP Hassan Hester

The team also doubled down with some veterans in SS Snag Roper from the rival Wild Pigs, and backup 1B Queen Laffeyette who would start day 1 at 1B due to Rogers' poor fielding ability. It was time to find out if these moves would pan out, or was it more wasteful spending then productive spending.

Frazier Jr. got the ball again for Opening Day as he was going into his second consecutive year as the ace for the team as he faced off with Herbisaurs' ace, Rhiannon Cannon.

== Bottom of the 1st ==

It was a slow start for both offenses against the aces, but Copeland recorded his first career hit with a single into left field with two outs in the inning. The team failed to get another hit as she was stranded at first base.

== Bottom of the3rd ==

With two outs in the inning, Copeland was on second after reaching base on a fielder's choice and her fellow rookie Rogers was up to bat. Rogers slapped a hard single into left as Copeland hustled around third to score the first run of the game for either squad. It was Rogers' first career hit and RBI as he also advanced Roper, who reached via a four pitch BB, to second base. The next batter was C Apollo Oliver, and the third year player singled to center which scored Roper to make it a 2 – 0 lead.

== Top of the 6th ==

The score held until the sixth as coming into the inning Frazier Jr. had only given up three hits on the evening. That changed quickly as the first batter was C Fiona Clark. The nine hitter worked the count to 2 – 1 before going with a low and away slider from Frazier as she deposited it in the right field seats for her first HR of the season. This cut the lead in half as the Herbisaurs now trailed 2 – 1, but they failed to score again as Frazier rebounded to get out of the inning without any further trouble.

== Bottom of the 8th ==

The game moved quickly to the bottom of the eighth as both clubs were having terrible luck trying to score. With one down in the inning, Rogers stepped to the plate against Cannon and fell behind quickly 0 – 2 in the count. The next pitch was supposed to be in the dirt, but the curveball hung in the middle of the plate as Rogers' eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

THWACK!

Everyone turned to watch the ball fly out to the right field seats as Rogers generated a lot of power with his hips and launched that ball. It was his first career homer as the Hot Corners moved in front 3 – 1. The team waited for Khalil to reenter the dugout and put his helmet on the rack before mobbing him in celebration of his instant impact to the lineup. This forced the Herbisaurs coach to take Cannon out of the game as reliever Adan Jock entered to shut down the inning before it got out of hand.

== Top of the 9th ==

The tiring Frazier convinced Buck to let him try and go for the complete game, but he surrendered an infield single off of the diving Laffeyette's glove for the leadoff batter CF Maximus Tran, and a 2B to the RF corner off the bat of RF Herra O'Wuggliems. This forced Buck to go to the bullpen for righty Troy Harrison to try and get out of the difficult situation. He gave up a 5 – 3 fielder's choice to Manly which allowed Tran to score, and then a 1B to DH Julien Magana which tied the game up at three. But he rebounded and retired the next two batters to end the inning, but he'd blown the save as we headed to extras when the Hot Corners failed to score in the bottom half of the inning.

== Top of the 10th ==

LF Cason Odom, a pinch hitter inserted in the 8th for Yoink Sax, led off the inning with a single to center, but he came up lame as he rounded the bag. It was discovered upon the trainer's investigation that he'd pulled his left hamstring and he'd have to leave the game. This brought in 2B/SS Turbo Miles to pinch run, and he quickly showed why he was named Turbo as he stole second base. This allowed C Nate Hanky, who pinch hit in the 8th inning as well, hit a broken bat single to left which advanced Miles to third base. 3B Henry Hampster then singled to right field to score the run as Harrison blew the lead.

Kyson Manning came in to relieve Harrison and did a tightrope walk out of danger by retiring the next three batters with no issues. The team however had lost all of its momentum as they failed to rally in the bottom half allowing the Herbisaurs to sneak away with an extra innings victory.

WP: Jock (1 – 0) LP: Harrison (0 – 1) POTG: Rogers (3 – 5, HR, 2 RBI, R)

Following the game, backup C Arsenio McDowell underwent a surgical procedure on his throwing arm, but he had six days to heal up before his next start so it was no issue. (+6 ARM) Rookie Rent Hatter got some personal grooming done before her first start in game number two as she felt more composed knowing she was looking good now. (+1 FLD, -4 VEL, +8 JNK, +Composed trait)

== Game 2 vs. Moonstars ==

The following day, the team took on a conference rival in the Moonstars and their rejuvenated offense. It would be tough going for rookie Rent Hatter coming into her debut going up against their high octane offense, while the Hot Corners' lineup had a tough customer in lefty Slip Sauder. Sauder was one of the more dominant number two starters in the league, even though the team beat him in their one matchup back in season one.

== Top of the 1st ==

Veteran SS Chimo Gaspar, a free agent signing from the Wideloads, got the scoring started early with a no out double to the right center gap as he made it a 1 – 0 lead. Hatter retired the next batter, but 3B Archibald Knox smacked a single back up the middle to score another run to make it a 2 – 0 lead.

== Top of the 2nd ==

After nearly batting around in the first inning, the Moonstars offense looked to keep their hot hitting going against the struggling Hatter. Gaspar was up for his second at bat with two down in the inning as he went after the first pitch down and away from him. He must've been sitting on it, as he demolished that ball over the right center fence for his first homer of the season making it a 3 – 0 game.

== Bottom of the 3rd ==

The struggling lineup tried to answer back as Roper singled to center with two outs and scored a runner to make it a 3 – 1 game.

== Top of the 4th ==

Gaspar would not be stopped today as the shortstop went yard again in his third at-bat. He crushed a high and away changeup to right field and scored another two runs as they extended their lead to 5 – 1.

== Top of the 5th ==

With two outs in the inning, CF Windy Wheels singled back up the middle to score another run and made it a 6 – 1 game. This ended Hatter's day as Buck went to the rookie southpaw Niko Plough out of the bullpen, he ended the inning strong by striking out the next batter.

== Top of the 6th ==

The strong outing didn't last long though, as 2B Andre Candela went deep off of Plough with one out. He crushed a fastball that sat in the middle of the plate over the left center fence as it gave the Moonstars an 8 – 2 lead.

== Bottom of the 6th ==

James grounded into a fielder's choice to score a run with no outs in the inning, before Laffeyette came up and doubled two batters later. The two out extra base hit to the left field corner scored another two runs as it was now an 8 – 4 game.

== Top of the 7th ==

Plough got two outs into the next inning, but had to be lifted with runners on the corners as Manning entered the game. He retired the next batter with no issues as he kept it a four run game.

== Bottom of the 7th ==

The team kept clawing back in as McClure smacked an 0 – 1 slider over the left field fence for his first homerun of the season as the lead was down to just three. (8 – 5)

== Top of the 8th ==

Despite their best efforts, the Moonstars offense finally overwhelmed the bullpen as the wheels came off the bus. All told, seven runs came into score as Manning was ejected for beaning RF Lacky Luster in the head after surrendering six runs and recording only one out. DaBaziz came in and got through the inning but surrendered the other two runs.

== Bottom of the 8th ==

The team had a little bit of fight left as Laffeyette grounded into a bases loaded double play to score a run, and RF Arms Yu singled to center to score another and made it a 15 – 7 game.

== Top of the 9th ==

The onslaught didn't end there as the Moonstars made the most of their last three outs. They forced another five runs off of DaBaziz, before Buck brought in SP/RP Carlito Carr for an emergency relief appearance. The Moonstars got another run off of Carr's pitching, but he did eventually silence their bats though the game ended in a football score of 21 – 7.

WP: Sauder (1 – 0) LP: Hatter (0 – 1) POTG: Gaspar (5 – 7, 2 HR, 2B, 5 RBI, 4 R)

Following the game, Buck made a move to bring in a rested bullpen arm to help strengthen them as the struggling DaBaziz was cut for the veteran reliever 31 year old Binky Stevens formally of the Crocodons.

== Game 3 Moose ==

Rookie Hassan Hester was moved up in the rotation to start game three to try and give Carr some extra rest after being used at the end of the Moonstars game. He would be squaring off against the fourth pitcher in the Moose's rotation, second year lefty Flax Church. The only lineup change was bring in McDowell to give Oliver some rest after his two starts to open the season behind the plate.

== Top of the 1st ==

The team got started early this game as they looked to bounce back following the blowout loss, as Yu came up with the bases loaded and two outs. He ended up smacking a single to left as two runs came around to score and gave the Hot Corners a 2 – 0 lead.

== Bottom of the 2nd ==

Hester was off to a strong start as he'd retired the first three batters with ease, but 2B Tyree Gangnam gave the rookie a rude welcome in the second as he smashed a down and in 0 – 1 changeup over the right field fence for his first homer of the season. The bomb made it a 2 – 1 game, but Hester regained his composure and got through the rest of the inning with no issues.

== Top of the 5th ==

Church gives up a leadoff single which was his tenth combined hit and walk of the game given up, this forced a bullpen move as righty Rallie Overro (0.00 ERA, 1.80 WHIP) formerly of the Grapplers, came in to relieve him. He got two outs with ease, but Big Country roped a doubled into the left center gap as the runner came around to score from first and made it a 3 – 1 game.

== Bottom of the 5th ==

Hester had been cruising along with ease after the homer as he looked like he'd go deep into the game today. Rookie LF Ed Kennedy was leading off and smoked the first pitch back at Hester as he failed to get out of the way.

THUD!

The ball smacked off the right side of his ribcage as he hopped around the mound in pain. Kennedy's speed allowed him to get to first with ease for an infield single. Buck and the trainer came out to evaluate Hester, but he convinced them to leave him in as the bullpen only had one rested reliever and he was willing to keep going despite the bruise that was already forming.

The next batter was retired, but then DH Heronimus Jackson roped a single up the middle off of McClure's diving glove that allowed Kennedy to score from second and made it a 3 – 2 game. Hester retired the next two batters as he walked off into the dugout a little gingerly.

== Bottom of the 6th ==

Hester showed a huge amount of guts by coming out for the sixth as he'd bandaged his ribs during the last half inning. He was pitching a little awkwardly, but he managed to retire the first two batters with relative ease. This ended with Kennedy as the rookie victimized him again by crushing a low and in slider into the left field seats for his first career homerun. This tied the game up at 3 all, but Hester retired the next batter to end his day as the discomfort became too much to bare.

== Bottom of the 7th ==

Binky Stevens made his season debut in relief of Hester and set the Moose's lineup down with ease in the seventh inning.

== Top of the 8th ==

The tiring Overro retired the leadoff hitter, but then surrendered three straight hits as the Moose's manager went to the bullpen and brought in SP/RP Felix Farmhand (7.36 ERA, 1.64 WHIP). His first task was to retire the rookie Copeland, but the third baseman would have none of it as she drove a single into the left center gap which scored two runs and made it a 5 – 3 lead. Farmhand would bounce back to retire the next two batters as they looked to rally in their last two at-bats.

This wouldn't come to fruition as Stevens retired the next six batters to shut them down and lock down the Hot Corners first victory of the season.

WP: Stevens (1 – 0) LP: Overro (0 – 1) POTG: Kennedy (3 – 4, HR, RBI, 2R)

== Game 4 Wild Pigs ==

Carlito Carr (0 – 0, 13.50 ERA, 6.00 WHIP) wasn't at one hundred percent, but he was ready for his start against Hannah Hogswind who beat the Hot Corners at the end of year three to secure the Wild Pigs a spot in the playoffs. Batch Wilson would get the start in right field for the slumping Yu as he tried to get out of his own head.

== Top of the 3rd ==

Both pitchers were on cruise control to start the game, but the Hot Corners drew first blood off of Hogswind. Roper came in clutch with a two out single as he scored Laffeyette who singled earlier in the inning to make it a 1 – 0 game.

== Bottom of the 3rd ==

2B Monica Vang answered back for the Wild Pigs as she grounded into a 4 – 6 fielder's choice with the bases loaded to score that run back. Then RF Oakley Stiffs hit a sacrifice fly to center field which scored another runner and gave the Wild Pigs a 2 – 1 lead.

== Top of the 5th ==

Two innings later, McClure knocked Hogswind out of the game when he lined a ball back off of her pitching shoulder with one out for an infield single. This brought in free agent acquisition lefty Bale Bozzer (2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP), who proceeded to get a double play to end the inning in retaliation.

== Top of the 6th ==

Bozzer remained in the game in the sixth as his specialist trait was activated against the rookie Copeland. Copeland paid it no mind, as she crushed a low 0 – 1 changeup over the right field wall for his first career homer to lead off the inning and made it a tie game at two. The team mobbed her in the dugout as they looked to give Carr the lead. Unfortunately they failed and were held scoreless after that in this inning.

== Bottom of the 6th ==

The absolutely gassed Carr was replaced by Manning (37.80 ERA, 3.60 WHIP) at the start of the next inning as he was guaranteed a no decision after Copeland's blast tied the game last inning. Manning pitched a clean inning as the game remained tied.

== Top of the 7th ==

Bozzer remained in the game to retire the left handed hitter Laffeyette, but was relieved by righty Kendra Kerr (2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) afterwards. Kerr managed to keep them scoreless.

== Bottom of the 8th ==

Manning got through the seventh easily enough, but started to tire in the eighth. He ended up loaded the bases on three hits but did record an out. Buck made the move to go with the rookie southpaw Plough (9.00 ERA, 2.50 WHIP) over the more experienced Harrison. He proceeded to get a strikeout and a flyout to left field to escape the jam as we headed to the ninth.

== Bottom of the 9th ==

Former Hot Corner SS Eduardo Electro was a perfect 2 – 2 on the day with a walk and kept it going with a leadoff single into left center field. He then stole second base to put himself in scoring position with no outs. The next batter was retired on a weak grounder to third, but Electro was able to reach third without issue. Veteran CF Jackie Slam then grounded to second as Electro raced for the plate. The throw from McClure was just late as Electro slid in safely under the tag to score the winning run as the Wild Pigs walked it off with a 3 – 2 victory.

WP: Kerr LP: Plough (0 – 1) POTG: Copeland (3 – 4, HR, 2B, RBI, R)

Following the game, Manning underwent some personal grooming as he felt more confident in his looks. (+1 FLD, -4 VEL, +8 JNK)

== Game 5 Wild Pigs ==

It was time to begin the second quarter of the season as the team remained at Founder's Field to complete their weekend series against the Wild Pigs. Connor Frazier Jr. (0 – 0, 3.38 ERA, 1.00) drew Wild Pigs' ace Myles Shavewell (0 – 0, 3.00 ERA, 0.88 WHIP) in the matchup as the team looked to avenge their pitcher's duel loss yesterday. Yu reentered the lineup in RF, while Wilson slid over to LF to give the slumping Big Country a day off. Oliver also reentered the lineup at C to rest the hitless McDowell.

== Top of the 1st ==

The Hot Corners got started with a bang as with two outs, Roper reached base via a four pitch walk, and then Copeland walked up to the plate. She got behind 0 – 1 in the count, but Shavewell hung a curveball and Copeland jumped all over it.

THWACK!

The ball carries over the shallow right center field wall for her second homer of the season as the team moved out to a 2 – 0 lead early. Oliver walked up next and got the count to 1 – 1 before Shavewell hung another curveball in the middle of the zone.

THWACK!

Oliver drove it the opposite way over the same shallow fence in right center as the back to back homers made it a 3 – 0 game early.

== Bottom of the 1st ==

The Wild Pigs answered back during their first at-bats, as Stiffs came through with a two out RBI single to right field to cut the lead down. (3 – 1 Hot Corners lead)

== Bottom of the 2nd ==

The next inning, 3B Kitty Kauffman was up and got a 1 – 2 up and away slider that she unloaded on. The ball carried over the right center wall as her two run homer tied the game up at three as Frazier was having trouble getting through the innings.

== Top of the 3rd ==

Rookie Khalil Rogers led off the inning with a single into left field off Shavewell. He then used his speed to steal second base ahead of Blings' throw from the plate. This gave Roper the opportunity to hit with a runner in scoring position, and the former Wild Pigs' member wasted little time in coming through. He doubled into the left center gap as Rogers came in to score easily to give the Hot Corners a narrow 4 – 3 lead.

== Bottom of the 3rd ==

This is where the wheels fell off the bus for Frazier as he finally ran out of time to escape the big inning. He got the first two out, but DH Randy Mann came up and doubled to the left center gap as two runs came into score. Electro was up next and the shortstop also doubled to left center as Mann came into score making it a 6 – 4 game. Rookie RF Luke Lopside was getting his first start of the season and he collected his first career hit with another double to the left center gap. His extra base hit scored Electro making it a 7 – 4 game. Kauffman then singled to right center as Lopside came in to score and made it an 8 – 4 game. Slam came up next and singled as well, but the inning ended as Vang grounded out to second base.

== Top of the 4th ==

Something unexpected happened in the fourth. The last original Hot Corner member, CF Geronimo James was up leading off the inning. He did something he's never done before as a member of the team.

THWACK!

He hit a homerun! It was the first one he's hit in almost three and a half seasons on the Hot Corners as he unceremoniously deposited another hanging Shavewell curveball over the shallow right center fence. The homer cut the lead down to 8 – 5, but the next three batters went quietly.

== Bottom of the 4th ==

Frazier retired the first batter he faced, but Stiffs jumped on a forkball out over the plate and sent it sailing over the shallow right center fence as the homerun derby continued. It was his first homer of the season as the lead grew to 9 – 5. This would spell the end of Frazier's day as Harrison came in to relieve him (0 – 1, 9.00 ERA, 4.00 WHIP) and retired the next two batters.

== Top of the 5th ==

Shavewell looked to get himself through the fifth as he was hoping to qualify for the win despite his poor outing. He managed to retire McClure on a lineout to third, but then ran into trouble. Rogers singled to the right center gap, and Roper doubled to center over Slam's head to put two runners in scoring position with only one out.

The Wild Pigs' manager had seen enough and made a move to the bullpen as lefty Alana Lantana (10.13 ERA, 1.13 WHIP) relieved him. She was matched up against the left-handed hitting Copeland who'd homered once already. The count was evened up at 1 – 1 when Lantana delivered a cutter to the inside third of the plate. It was in the middle of the zone and Copeland got her hips rotating early as she swung.

THWACK!

The ball went soaring down the right field line and stayed fair inside the foul line as it landed in the empty corner out there. It was her second homer of the game, and her third of the young season as she circled the bases cutting it down to a one run game at 9 – 8. Oliver came up next and singled to keep the inning going, but the next two batters flew out to Slam to end the inning.

== Top of the 6th ==

After a clean inning by Harrison, the bats came back up smelling blood in the water against Lantana. Laffeyette grounded out softly to Vang at second for the first out, but Yu and McClure both singled to center to put two runners on with one down. This brought up Rogers who continued his hot hitting on the day when he got a 1 – 1 fastball up in the middle of the zone.

THWACK!

Rogers sent that one over the deeper left center fence for his second homer of the season as he had her fastball timed perfectly. The three run homer allowed the Hot Corners to recapture the lead at 11 – 9. Lantana bounced back to retire the next two batters though, as she hoped her offense could rally for her.

== Bottom of the 6th ==

In order to come back, the Wild Pigs offense would have to get past Harrison as he once again started the inning by retiring the leadoff batter. Wagnerd was the next batter and the first baseman took a 1 – 1 low and away fastball and cracked it back up the middle.

SMACK!

Unfortunately for Harrison that smacked him right in the jaw as he was launched backwards off the mound and landed in a heap there. Roper came in and picked the ball up, but held on to it as Wagnerd reached first easily. Buck came out and saw that Harrison was out cold and also had a bruise already forming on his jaw. He had Tim and the trainer carry him off the field as an MRI was hurriedly being scheduled at the local hospital.

Buck went to the bullpen and brought in Binky Stevens (1 – 0, 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP) to relieve Harrison following the injury. Stevens took as many pitches as he felt necessary to be warm as he then got to face Stiffs.

CRACK!

He probably should've taken another warm-up toss as Stiffs cranked the first pitch low and away fastball over the right field fence for his second homer of the game and season. The game was now all tied up at 11. Stevens managed to get the next two batters out though as the game headed into the 7th.

== Top of the 7th ==

Lantana retired the first two batters of the inning, but then gave up a double into the left center gap off of Wilson's bat to put a runner in scoring position. This ended her day as the righty Kendra Kerr (1 – 0, 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP) entered the game and retired the next batter to end the threat.

== Bottom of the 7th ==

Wagnerd came up with two down in the inning as he hit a hard grounder up the middle that bounced off of Stevens' glove into no man's land behind the mound. Roper charged it and barehanded a throw to first, but it was too late and a runner scored to make it a 12 – 11 game.

== Top of the 8th ==

Kerr retired the first two batters of the inning, but ran into trouble as McClure single to left field to extend the inning which brought Roper to the plate. The veteran took revenge against his old team as he roped a double that bounced around in the right field corner. McClure was off to the races and scored all the way from first to tie the game up as it was all even once again.

== Bottom of the 9th ==

The game was still tied as Stevens retired the first two batters of the inning, but then gave up a double into the left center gap off of Slam's bat to put the winning run in scoring position. Rookie Niko Plough (0 – 1, 9.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP) was summoned to try and get out of the jam. He managed to get Vang to flyout to right center as he forced the game to go to extras.

== Top of the 10th ==

Kerr retired the first two batters, but was then relieved by the left handed specialist Bale Bozzer (0 – 0, 2.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP) as he faced off against the lefty batting Rogers. Rogers continued his hot game by singling to center. Roper came up next and hit a hard liner that smacked Bozzer right in the forehead as it ricocheted back towards home. Blings reacted quickly and barehanded the ball to first to retire the slow footed Roper to end the inning. Bozzer had to be carted off the field though as the last out came at the cost of his body.

== Bottom of the 10th ==

His teammates rallied for him as Mann homered with two outs in the inning to walk it off and give the Wild Pigs a 14 – 12 victory in ten innings.

WP: Bozzer (1 – 0) LP: Plough (0 – 2) POTG: Copeland (2 – 4, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R)

Following the game, Laffeyette loaded herself up with energy drinks to help her be more attentive and focused on the field. (+8 CON, +4 FLD) Harrison's MRI came back negative for any severe damage, though he would be unable to play for a few games until he cleared concussion protocol. He did however start studying up on umpire tendencies and personalities to figure the best course of action to get more borderline strike calls in his favor. (+4 ACC)

== Game 6 vs. Freebooters ==

The team looked to rebound in the next game against the Freebooters who were also struggling along this season. The rookie Rent Hatter (0 – 1, 11.57 ERA, 2.79 WHIP) got a tough matchup in the Freebooters former ace Winnie Noelle (1 – 0, 1.29 ERA, 1.14 WHIP). Wilson got moved to the DH role to replace the struggling Laffeyette in the lineup. This moved Rogers to play 1B and Big Country reentered the lineup in LF.

== Top of the 1st ==

Hatter looked to have a quick first inning as she retired the first two batters with ease, but then left a fastball right down the middle to the uncharacteristically hot hitting 2B Landon Fare.

CRACK!

That ball was out of the park in a hurry as it sailed over the right center wall for Fare's third homer of the season giving the Freebooters a 1 – 0 lead. The next batter DH Gunns Jackman rocked a ball back off Hatter's chest for an infield single as the trainer hurriedly came out to check on her as she sat dazed on the mound. She passed the concussion testing, and Buck had no choice but to leave her in given the tired state of the bullpen. She managed to retire the next batter with ease.

== Top of the 2nd ==

Hatter retired the first batter to face her in the inning, but up came C Kenna Quorn who smashed a fastball over the right field fence for her first homer of the season. It was definitely unexpected, but the Freebooters were glad for it as they now led 2 – 0.

== Top of the 3rd ==

Hatter once again retired the leadoff hitter, but Jackman victimized her again by crushing a ball over the left center fence for his first homer of the season. The Freebooters extended their lead to 3 – 0 as they looked to run all over the Hot Corners.

== Bottom of the 3rd ==

Big Country led off the inning for the Hot Corners looking to get a rally started against the so far cruising Noelle. He succeeded in getting on with a strong double into the right center gap. James then came up and delivered a single to right field that allowed Big Country to score easily from second and make it a 3 – 1 game. Yu then grounded out to Fare for the first out as James advanced to second. Roper then doubled to right center as James came in to score easily from second to make it a 3 – 2 game. The next two batters were retired by fly ball outs as Noelle escaped the inning with the lead.

== Bottom of the 4th ==

Hatter got through a scoreless inning for the first time in the fourth as the team looked to make more progress off of Noelle. Rogers led off the inning with a single up the middle. The next batter was retired, but Rogers stole second base to put himself in scoring position for Wilson. Batch came through was a single up the middle as Rogers raced home to tie the game up at 3 all.

== Bottom of the 5th ==

Hatter fought through another scoreless inning, as the Hot Corners looked to grab their first lead of the day. With one out, Roper came up with the bases loaded and got a 0 – 2 fastball in the middle of the plate.

THWACK!

He unloaded on it and crushed that ball over the left field wall for his first homer of the season as he gave the Hot Corners a 4 – 3 lead.

== Top of the 6th ==

Hatter retired the first two batters as she looked to achieve a quality start, but she surrendered a homer to the rookie RF Amara Colbert. The blast was her second of the season as it was deposited in the left center field seats of the first deck as she tied the game back up at 4. SS Norton Pickle then doubled to the left field corner to keep the inning going as the Freebooters manager sent 3B Badhop Brown to pinch hit for Quorn. Brown knocked a single back up the middle as Pickle raced home to give the Freebooters the lead again at 5 – 4.

1B Sturdy Woodman roped a double to left center field to keep the inning going and put two runners in scoring position. Buck had seen enough and removed the struggling and hurt Hatter for Manning (15.75 ERA, 2.75 WHIP) who managed to induce a groundout to end the inning before the lead got even wider.

== Top of the 7th ==

Manning faced Fare for the first time leading off the next inning, and Fare jumped all over Manning first pitch fastball. He turned on the up and inside pitch as it soared into the right field seats for Fare's second homer of the game and his fourth of the season so far. This extended the Freebooters lead as it was now a 6 – 4 game.

== Bottom of the 7th ==

Noelle was starting to tire in the seventh as she retired Big Country to start the inning. She then surrendered a single to left off of James' bat as her day was ended by the Freebooters manager. Lefty SP/RP Kent Ratherswell (6.75 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) came in to try and slam the door on the Hot Corners rally. He surrendered a five pitch walk to Yu, but did retire Roper for the second out. Copeland was the next batter up as she waited for a pitch to drive. She got one, as she drove a double into the right center gap as both James and Yu scored to make it a 6 – 6 game.

Oliver was the next batter, and the catcher delivered a bloop single that landed out of Fare's reach in right field. Copeland was running on the hit and slid in under Shipwright's tag to give the Hot Corners a 7 – 6 lead. This turn of events worried the Freebooters' manager enough as he went to right handed specialist Grace Loopinovich (8.44 ERA, 2.06 WHIP) to try and shut down the rally. Rogers was her first batter and the rookie came through with a hard shot into the right center gap. It bounced around out there as Oliver came into score from first, and Rogers slid into third with a triple as the lead grew to 8 – 6. Loopinovich then got McClure to ground out to Woodman unassisted to end the inning.

== Bottom of the 8th ==

Loopinovich surrendered a leadoff single to Wilson as the Freebooters manager had seen enough and brought in RP Calamansi Barron (1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP). Barron got the next batter to ground into a double play, but then gave up a single to Big Country. Roper then singled to center as Swiner advanced on a passed ball beforehand and scored from second to make it a 9 – 6 game.

This ended Barron's outing as CP Elrick Rippin, making his season debut as a former member of the Herbisaurs, came in to relieve her. Copeland hit a hard grounder up the third base line as Velez dove to cut it off, but the ball bounced off her glove into foul territory. This allowed Yu to score and made it a 10 – 6 game. Rippin then retired the next batter to finally end the inning.

== Top of the 9th ==

Manning started the inning by retiring the first batter, but the LF Stockton Brickhouse hit a liner back off of Manning's ribcage for an infield single. Despite having the wind knocked out of him, Manning showed true grit by forcing the next batter to ground into a game ending double play.

WP: Manning (1 – 0) LP: Ratherswell (0 – 1) POTG: Roper (3 – 5, HR 2B, 3 RBI, R)

== Game 7 vs. Freebooters ==

Rookie Hassan Hester (0 – 0, 4.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) came into his second start at only 80% healed from his ribs injury as he squared off against fellow rookie, southpaw Terry Villa (0 – 0, 2.08 ERA, 1.38 WHIP). The team looked to complete the weekend series sweep against the Freebooters as Laffeyette reentered the lineup at 1B which moved Rogers back to DH, and McDowell was back in the lineup at C to rest Oliver.

== Bottom of the 2nd ==

Both teams were scoreless in the first, but the Hot Corners broke through in the second. The first two batters were retired easily by Villa, but he then surrendered three straight two out singles to Yu, Laffeyette, and Big Country as Yu scored to make it a 1 – 0 lead.

== Bottom of the 3rd ==

The Hot Corners added onto their lead in the next inning as Rogers hit a sacrifice fly to center field as Copeland walked in to score from third to make it a 2 – 0 lead.

== Top of the 6th ==

Hester had kept the Freebooters lineup scoreless through the first five innings, but gave that up in the sixth. Jackman came up with Shipwright on first after an infield single and two outs in the inning. He roped a double into the right center gap as Shipwright hustled all the way around from first to make it a 2 – 1game. Jackman would end up stranded at second base as Hester retired the next batter with no issues.

== Bottom of the 6th ==

Villa started to tire in the sixth inning as he managed to record the first two outs of the inning but surrendered three hits to load up the bases. The Freebooters manager went to the bullpen as righty specialist Grace Loopinovich (7.94 ERA, 2.29 WHIP) entered and retired the left handed hitting Big Country with a pop fly to shallow center.

== Bottom of the 8th ==

Loopinovich retired the first batter in the eighth, but then surrendered a single to center off of Rogers' bat. She then retired the next batter but was relieved by Calamansi Barron (4.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP). Barron gave up a two out single to Yu to extend the inning, but got Laffeyette to flyout to left in foul territory to keep it a one run game.

== Top of the 9th ==

Hester did his job through the first eight innings as Buck went to the bullpen and brought in Stevens (1 – 0, 2.84 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) to get the save. He ended up succeeding by throwing a scoreless ninth to lockdown his first save of the season and the second consecutive win for the Hot Corners.

WP: Hester (1 – 0) LP: Villa (0 – 1) SV: Stevens (1) POTG: Hester (W, 8.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 K)

Following the game, rookie SS/3B Dawson Longstroke got some work in the batting cages and in a simulated game to stay sharp having not played at all this season. The training resulted in him developing a knack for being able to hit right handed pitching better than most experienced batters. (+4 CON, + CON vs. RHP ability)

== Game 8 Sirloins ==

Looking to keep their winning ways going the Hot Corners turned to Carlito Carr (0 – 0, 4.76 ERA, 1.06 WHIP) as he squared off with the Sirloins fourth pitcher Slip Van'Derwink (1 – 0, 0.00 ERA, 0.29 WHIP). Oliver was inserted back into the lineup at C for the slumping McDowell (0 – 10 on the season hitting).

== Top of the 1st ==

The Hot Corners saw Van'Derwink's perfect ERA as a challenge to beat as they looked to score the first runs off him this season. They didn't have to wait long as leadoff hitter Snag Roper homered to right center field off a 1 – 1 up and in fastball for his second homer of the season. (1 – 0 Hot Corners lead)

Rogers then popped out to the rookie second baseman Trail Gruber, before Oliver singled into right field. Copeland then struck out late on an up and in fastball from Van'Derwink for out number two. McClure came through with a clutch two out single into left to extend the inning for Laffeyette. Queen came through big time with a double into the left center gap as both Oliver and McClure came around to score and make it a 3 – 0 Hot Corners lead. Big Country then popped out to C Terra Lionerre behind the plate in foul territory to end the inning.

== Top of the 4th ==

With two outs in the inning, the Hot Corners added on to their lead as Yu took a hanging curveball from Van'Derwink into the left field corner seats for his first homer of the season. The solo homer extended the Hot Corners lead to 4 – 0.

== Top of the 7th ==

James led off the inning with a single to center off of Van'Derwink which ended his day as the Sirloins manager went to the bullpen. Righty Carmelo Beck (1.13 ERA, 0.13 WHIP) enters and the second year reliever retired the next three batters to keep his team down by only four runs.

== Bottom of the 7th ==

Through the first six innings of the game, Carr was cruising along as he'd only given up three hits. He retired the first batter, but then gave up back to back homers as 3B Madoka Hayata and RF Damien Rush timed up his fastball. The solo homers were the first of the season for both batters as the lead shrunk to 4 – 2. This ended Carr's day as Buck brought in the rookie southpaw Niko Plough (0 – 2, 11.25 ERA, 2.00 WHIP) to get out of the jam. He succeeded in retiring the next two batters to get to the eighth.

== Top of the 9th ==

Both pitchers threw scoreless eighth innings as the game moved into the ninth still at 4 – 2. James led off the inning with a sharp lineout to 1B Kat Stanza. Roper then reached base on an error by Hayata as that ended Beck's day. Righty Miguel Duke (27.00 ERA, 4.29 WHIP) was brought in to get the team out of the inning. He immediately walked Rogers on four pitches to put two runners on for Oliver.

Apollo was gifted a 2 – 1 fastball down the middle of the strikezone as he swung with all of his might.

THWACK!

The ball went screaming over the left center fence into the Hot Corners bullpen where Frazier caught it with his hat as they celebrated the homer. It was Oliver's second of the season as he broke the game open to 7 – 2. Copeland then singled to center as the Sirloins manager had seen enough of Duke. Former Herbisaurs reliever Chuck Filthwick (7.36 ERA, 1.91WHIP) answered the call and immediately regretted it as McClure doubled to left center field which scored Copeland to make it 8 – 2. Filthwick then retired the next two batters to finally end the inning.

== Bottom of the 9th ==

Plough had been pitching well up to this point as he surrendered a leadoff homer to Hayata which was her second of the game and season. The solo homer over the center field wall made it an 8 – 3 game, but Plough rebounded to shut the Sirloins' lineup down and close out the game.

WP: Carr (1 – 0) LP: Van'Derwink (0 – 1) SV: Plough (1) POTG: Hayata (3 – 4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)

The team ended the first half with a 4 – 4 record good enough for third place in the division. They were still three games out of first as the Moose were red hot through the first half of the season. The team hadn't made any great strides in either direction as they were kind of treading water at the current moment. Could they make a move for the playoffs or will they fail?

AN: And that's a wrap on this chapter as the team slogs through the first half of the season with a 4 – 4 record after starting 1 – 4. The new players are contributing at a level better than expected sans Plough who had a bit of a bad luck streak. Can the team make a push in the second half to return to the playoffs or will they falter and miss out for the second consecutive year? Tune in next time to find out! See ya in the next chapter everyone!

PRAK (#TheNastyOne)