The Orbitz improved to 5-5 on the season after their first sweep of the year vs the Mammoths, winning 11-1 and 7-0.

Andy Smith pitched game 1, throwing a complete game scattering 4 hits to pick up his first victory of the season.  Early on Smith had some nice defensive plays behind him as the O's turned 3 double plays in the first 3 innings.  The rest of the game only saw the Mammoths put 2 more runners base as Smith was able to shut the door.

Offensively the O's got started early putting a 4 spot in the first including an rbi double by John Whittenhall, single by Jim Wolbers and two rbi single by Andy Smith.  The Orbitz kept it going in the 2nd with a one out single by Dennis Martin, after stealing 2nd and a passed ball moving him to 3rd, Tim Dykes drove him home with a sacrifice fly to left.  2 more runs scored in the 3rd on singles by Wolbers and Brian McCormick, in addition to a couple walks in the inning making the score 6-1.  In the 5th the Orbitz put the game away as the Mammoths walked the bases loaded, then walked in a run.  Heath Bishop then came up to hit a bases clearing double to end the game after 5 innings due to the 10 run rule.

Game 2 started started off slow offensively for both teams as the only run in the first 4 innings.  Bill Arthurs picked up his victory of the season, throwing a complete game 2 hit shutout, striking out 6 hitters.  The O's started the scoring in the first with a single by Dennis Martin, and then a 2 out rbi single by Michael Palascak.  In the 5th McCormick got the inning started with a 1 out double, followed by a single by Arthurs to put runners at 1st and 3rd.  After a stolen base by Arthurs, Martin delivered a line drive single to center to knock in 2. 3 more runs scored in the 6th mostly due to some defensive miscues as the Orbitz took advantage of 3 errors.  The lone hit of the inning was an rbi double by Jim Wolbers.  The lead was extended to 7-0 in the 7th inning after leadoff double by Bishop, who later came around to score on a fielder's choice.

Up next, the O's take on the Irish, 10 am at Shooter's Field, Oak Forest, IL.

The Orbitz split their latest double header...this time vs. the defending Maple Champion Diamondbacks, dropping game one 6-5, and winning the nightcap, 3-2.

Game 1 saw the O's fall behind in early spotting the Dbacks 4 unearned runs in the top of the first inning.  The lead was cut to 3 on an rbi double by Heath Bishop in the bottom of the first, but the Diamondbacks added on w/ 2 more runs in the 4th inning.  The Orbitz climbed back into the game though, scoring 2 runs in the bottom half of the 4th led by an rbi single by Michael Palascak (2-3 on the day).  The O's cut the lead to 6-5 in the 5th with an rbi single by Dennis Martin (2-2, hbp) and a sacrifice fly by Bishop, but the bats were silenced the last 2 innings and the Orbitz dropped game 1. 

In game 2, the Orbitz sent former Diamondback Todd Zasadil to the bump.  After a few bush league comments by his former teammates, Zasadil pitched a gem throwing a complete game, striking out 8, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits.  The game was an old fashioned pitchers duel as each team went scoreless the first 3 innings.  The O's got the scoring started in the top of the 4th with consecutive 1 out singles by John Ernser and Michael Palascak.  After a ground out that moved both runners up a base, Tim Dykes launched a perfectly placed ball that dropped between the centerfielder, shortstop and second baseman to drive in 2 runs.  The Diamondbacks answered with 2 runs of their own to tie it in the bottom half of the same inning.  They may have run themselves out of the inning getting a runner thrown out at the plate after a runner was picked off of first base (shortly after he announced to the entire infield that he was going).  Both teams went down with out scoring in the 5th and 6th innings, and the Orbitz had the first 2 batter's retired in the 7th before Brian McCormick reached on an error.  The next two batters Billy Arthurs and Dennis Martin were plunked on consecutive pitches to load the bases.  Heath Bishop then came up and fouled off a few 2 strike pitches before drawing a walk to drive in the go-ahead run.  Zasadil retired the Diamondbacks in the bottom half of the inning to seal the victory.

Up next the Orbitz will take on the Mammoths, 10 am Pleasantdale Park, Burr Ridge, IL.

The Orbitz dropped both ends of a double header to the now 8-0 Legends with scores of 10-0 and 10-3.  The two bright spots for the O's were John Whittenhall who went 3-6 with a double and Victor Reyes who went 2-3 on day.  The Orbitz look to regroup over the holiday weekend and gear up for their next game on May 31st, 10 am at Pleasantdale Park vs. the Diamondbacks.

Standings are updated.

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The Orbitz split the first double header of the year with the Indians dropping game 1, 3-0, but came back to win the nightcap via the slaughter rule 14-3.

In game one, the O's sent Andy Smith to the bump to make his team debut, going the distance, while striking out 6, and pitched out of bases loaded jams a few times limiting the Indians to 3 earned runs.  On the offensive side of things, the Orbitz were overmatched by Indians pitcher Mike Eifel who struck out 11 in 5 innings of work.  The O's threatened in the 7th loading the bases with 1 out, but were unable to push across any runs.

Game two was a completely different story as the Orbitz pounded out 13 hits, including 5 doubles, enroute to picking up their first victory of the season.  Brian McCormick started and looked strong all day, striking out 6, allowing 3 earned runs.  He received some nice defensive plays behind him including a groundball in the 4th inning that was ticketed for centerfield but was snagged by Eric Lewitke, did a full 360 and threw a bullet to get the runner at first. 

After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, the Orbitz scored their first run of the game after Matt Dillard drew a 2 out walk, stole second and scored on a line-drive single to left center by Jim Wolbers.  A four spot went up in the 3rd inning after a walk to Heath Bishop, a double by Eric Lewitke, rbi single by Andy Smith, 2 rbi triple by Mike Palascak, and an rbi single up the middle by McCormick.  In 4th inning Heath Bishop added a 2 rbi double to extend the lead to 7-2.  After going down quietly in the 5th, the O's put the game away scoring 7 runs in the 6th, highlighted by a 2rbi single by Smith, a double by Palascak, and 2 rbi doubles by McCormick and Dennis Martin. 

Up next the Orbitz will match up vs. the Pirates who are 0-4 on the season at Homewood Flossmoor High School.  Game time is 10 am on Sunday.

Sunday's Opening Day games vs. the Indians has changed location and time.  The first pitch of the season is 1pm at Chicago Ridge.  Please check the fields tab for directions. 

The O's are also pleased to welcome five new additions to the 2009 team: #6 Matt Dillard, #9 Michael Palascak, #13 Victor Reyes, #3 Andy Smith and #18 James Wolbers.