Game 1 - 2007 Wiffleball World Series

With the winners of Game 1 going on to win the title in all three previous World Series, heading into the opener of the 2007 series the teams were well aware of the importance of an early series lead.

301's pitcher Joe Kotsovos opened the series with a single to left field. In his next at-bat, with two runners on, he drove in the first runs of the series with a three-run homerun that sailed over the bleachers in left field. In the bottom of the frame, the Tanks wasted no time grabbing their first lead of the series. Scott Williams picked up from where he left off in his incredible 2006 campaign, launching a grand slam beyond the scoreboard in center field.

In the next inning, Kotsovos' second homerun of the day, a solo shot to left, tied the game up at 4-4. After Kotsovos walked in his next at-bat, shortstop Jamison McAndie followed with a line-drive homerun to center field, giving the 301's the lead back at 6-4. In the bottom half of the second, the Tanks once again mounted a threat, putting two runners on with one out. Next, right fielder Eric Paslack grounded back to the pitcher, Kotsovos, who tried to tag out Josh Williams going to second base. Williams tried to evade the tag, taking a wide turn into the outfield. Kotsovos tagged Williams just before he reached second, then turned and fired to home to cross-out Kyle Stone, who was trying to score from second, for an inning-ending double play.

The 301's continued to put runs on the board in the third, as McAndie hit his second two-run homerun, extending the lead to 8-4. In addition to his homeruns, McAndie filled up the highlight reel all day with several outstanding plays on defense. The Tanks cut the deficit to three in the bottom of the third on Stone's solo shot to center field.

In the fourth, the teams traded zeros, sending the game to the final inning with the Tanks still within striking distance. The 301's, however, realized the importance of insurance runs when playing as the visiting team, adding five runs in their last at-bat. Right fielder Zach Miller layed down two bunts to reach base preceding Kotsovos homeruns. In the bottom of the fifth, the Tanks executed the same tactic, as Stone reached on a bunt. Josh Williams made things interesting late, pushing across four runs with two homers to cut the deficit to just four runs at 13-9. The Tanks hopes ended with a strikeout to Paslack, however, as the 301's captured Game 1.

BOX SCORE

Greek Village 301's