The Hitmen opened their fourth season at home with Fat-Elvis Cup hopes. The
acquisition of Alex Rodriguez, the night before the season began, further
boosted the fans anticipation of something good happening in Hollywood.

Game 1 (April 1)----The season had to be postponed a day thanks to the
lovely southern California April showers. Nothing like opening the season
with a doubleheader.

Game 1 (April 2-1st of a twin bill) Millwod v Maddux. After Maddux set
down the Thespians in the first, the Hitmen bats waisted no time making an
impact. Higginson doubled home lead off hitter Roberto Alomar and John
Olerud made it 3-0 (after three batters) with a two run homer. The first
five Hitmen reached base as Luis Gonzalez doubled in Alex Rodrigues to make
it 4-0 in the first. Chico got two back in the third on a two-run homer by
Piazza and then tied it in the 6th, courtesy of a two-run scoring 3 base
error by Bobby Higginson. However, the Hitmen received a tie-breaking RBI
single from ARod and Higginson scored on an error to make it 6-4. John
Smoltz got the save by preserving the lead and allowing the Hiotmen to get
off to a 1-0 start.

CT 002 002 000-4-10-1
HH 400 000 20x-6-10-1

Chico:
Pitchers-Millwood 2.2; Villone 3.1; Boehringer (L) 2
Catchers- Piazza 9
Injuries-Millwood 1 game
Limits-Mackowiak 1 vs RH; Minor 1 vs RH; Garcia (I)

Hitmen:
Pitchers-Maddux (W) 7; Urbina 1; Smoltz (S) 1
Catchers-LaRue 9
Injuries-None
Limits-None
_________________________________________________

Game 2 (April 2-2nd of a twin bill) Byrd v Moss. In the nightcap, the
Hitmen once again drew first blood in the bottom of the first. With one
out, Olerud doubled home Higginson and a two out singled by ARod scored
Olerud making it 2-0. The Thespians came right back in the 2nd. With two
outs, Moss walked Todd WQalker and Orlando Cabrera to load the bases.
Pitcher Paul Byrd singled in Piazza and when Luis Gonzalez misplayed the
ball, Walker and Guillen circled the bases giving tyhe Thespians the lead
3-2. ARod put the Hitmen back on top wit a two-run homer in the 3rd and a
solo shot by Gonzalez made it 5-3. Each team added one more run and John
Smoltz struck out the side in the 9th to earn his second save of the day.

CT 030 000 100-4-7 -1
HH 202 010 10x-6-11-2

Chico:
Pitchers-Byrd (L) 7; Eischen 2
Catchers- Piazza 9
Injuries-None
Limits-None

Hitmen:
Pitchers-Moss (W) 6.1; Urbina 0.2; Timlin 1; Smoltz (S) 1
Catchers-Matheny 9
Injuries-None
Limits-None
______________________________________________________

Game 3 (April 3) Rupe v Hernandez. The Thespians looked to salvage a game
in the series finale and tallied in the first on a run scoring double by
Mike Piazza. However, as was the theme of the series, the Hitmen once again
pushed runs accross the plate in their first at bat. Higginson doubled in
Alomar, then back-to-back doubles by ARod and Gonzalez made it 3-1 Hitmen
after one inning. A Jason Giambi single made it 3-2, but two unearned runs
in the hitmen fifth extended their lead to 5-2. Higginson added three more
RBI's in the 7th and 8th (giving him 4 for the day) which offset home runs
by Giambi and Johnny Damon as the Hitmen swept the Thespians by a score of
9-5. The Hitmen head to Collin County to face the league's toughest
rotation, while the Thespians, who play 9 of their first 12 on the road,
travel to New Orleans. The schedule makers were not kind to the Thespians
right out of the gate.

CT 101 000 012-5-8-1
HH 300 020 22x-9-13-1

Chico:
Pitchers-Rupe (L) 6; Kim 1; Williamson 1
Catchers- Piazza 9
Injuries-Cabrera 2 days
Limits-None

Hitmen:
Pitchers-Hernandez (W) 7; Walker 1; Roa 1
Catchers-LaRue 9
Injuries-None
Limits-None