Catching up – Scranton Trip, Steelhawks, Casting Call & Ironpigs

Whew! What a weekend so far. Lots to cover tonight so I’m going to start in the beginning…

Friday night we made our annual trip to Moosic, PA to see the Ironpigs take on the SWB Yankees. It was supposed to rain hard and rain all night.. guess what? It didn’t. After an hours delay the game got started and it sprinkled on us occasionally but nothing to be bothered by. We got there to see smiling faces and friendly folks who genuinely were happy to see us there. About 25 in our group and we had to be the loudest cheering fans in the park. They have opened up the right field pavilion to the general fan base and with food specials and $1 drafts everyone seemed to gravitate there. Three of our Noise Nation members were selected to participate in on field events and all had a great time. The game started out well for the Ironpigs. Brian Bocock homered to get the Pigs up early and they quickly ran up a 4-0 lead until the 7th inning when they gave up a long triple that cleared the bases giving Scranton a 5 run inning and the lead. Coming into the 9th Tagg Bozied double and Erik Kratz sent a long ball into the rocks over right field that put the Pigs back in the lead. Michael Schwimer pitched a great 8th and 9th inning and took home the win. I can’t say enough how great the fans and staff at PNC Field are. We joked and smiled and even met a group visiting from Sweden! We even had offers to join the SWB Yankees booster club who regularly helps out the staff at Yankee home games. We have not yet declined, but I think it would be too long of a commute for each game.. (I’m kidding.. I’m kidding)

So from the Scranton trip we moved on to the LV Steelhawks game tonight! They faced the Fairbanks Grizzlies. Yes, the Fairbanks from Alaska. Last week the Grizzlies took down our neighbors the Reading Express and things were not looking good early for our 2 win Steelhawks. That changed just before halftime when the Hawks scored two quick touchdowns for a 21-28 halftime deficit. The momentum quickly shifted towards the Steelhawks and the defense held the Grizzlies scoreless in the second half when, after the Hawks went up 31-28, the Grizzlies started a last ditch drive to the end zone culminating in a pass to the end zone with 8 seconds left. From my viewpoint I didn’t see the play but I did see the Steelhawk with the ball tearing back across the field to score a pick 6 interception touchdown as time expired! Stabler arena was on its feet and going crazy! Big win for our beloved Steelhawks and well deserved. With 2 home overtime losses this season the team made sure us fans weren’t let down. One home game left and that is next saturday night! Make sure to come out and check out this rising team.

While at the Steelhawks game, we met up with our new friends from Dan Bell casting out of Los Angeles. Kirk, Nick and Nadine came out to find dedicated Phillies and Eagles fans for their upcoming documentary. Hoping we get selected as it includes some good seats to an upcoming Phillies game!

Tonight’s post would not be complete without the tremendous performance of the Ironpigs of late. While I was not in attendance (Game #5 I missed in 4 seasons) the Pigs gave former Ironpig Rodrigo Lopez his first loss of the season as the streaking Pigs (not Jason Grilli running in the outfield without clothes) pushed their lead in the International League North division to 4 games. Tomorrow’s game is a 1:35 start.

Need something to do before the game? The Steelhawks Dance Team Precious Metals will be holding a charity carwash to benefit the Race for Adam cause. In fact, Adam himself was in attendance at tonight’s Steelhawks game and made a great catch of an errant ball thrown into the stands! The beautiful and talented dancers will be washing cars for a donation at Applebees on Cedar Crest Blvd (At Crest Plaza right off of Rt 22) from 12:00pm to 4:00pm tomorrow. Get a clean car and help a good cause on the way to tomorrow’s Pigs game!

Adding some photos from this weeked for your enjoyment..

Joey goes down hard in the sumo suit! (Heather Mastropieri)

We provided hours of entertainment for the bullpen in Scranton (Heather Mastropieri)

Cool aspect of the Triple that cleared the bases. (Cheryl Pursell)

Nadine, Nick & Kirk are looking for Phillies & Eagles fans!