MARYSVILLE — An eight-run first inning gave the Brew Crew of Marysville spring men’s league baseball an edge from which their opponents, Uncle Rico’s All Stars, couldn’t quite come back.

Both teams are battling their way toward the .500 mark this season, but thanks to a grand slam by Nick Gibbons, the Brew Crew took the win in the early game June 5 at the Marysville-Pilchuck softball fields.

Home runs scattered throughout the scorebook on both sides as the Crew went on to win 17-11 after five innings.

Playing the visitor, one of Uncle Rico’s All Stars started off the home run derby that ensued, clean-up batter Justin Birch starting off with a three-run homer. He would go on to kick off the fifth inning with a solo homer and ultimately end the inning with one as well, as the referee invoked a two-home run rule that resulted in outs for additional hits beyond the fences.

In the bottom of the first inning, Crew outfielder Loren Monson came up shortly after Gibbons cleared the bases to hit an inside-the-park home run of his own and leading off the second inning, shortstop Lance Otto homered.

While Uncle Rico’s trailed by as much as 13-5 after four innings, they rallied in the fifth inning, racing against the 70 minutes of regulation to get back into the ball game.

Following Birch’s home run, Josh Houston and Casey Anderson both doubled to set up a two-run double by pitcher Bryson Andrews. Jason Flores, John Peterson, Casey Andres and Jordan Houston all followed with consecutive hits, but the All-Stars got only three more runs in before their third out, trailing 13-11 going into the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Crew led off with five consecutive hits of their own, including a two-run single by Froy Robles, to cushion their lead for a sixth inning that never came.

City softball standings

(as of June 8, 2009)

Monday Men’s Recreational League

T1. AC3 7-5-0

T1. Deacons 2 7-5-0

T1. Turning Point World Outreach 7-5-0

4. Sweet & Sour Pork 6-6-0

5. La Hacienda 5-7-0

6. Mudd Dawgz 4-8-0

Wednesday Coed League

1. Olympia Pizza 9-1-0

2. Mike’s Machine 8-2-0

3. Slackers 3-7-0

4. Masco’s Hard Ballers 0-10-0

Friday Men’s Recreational League

1. Rampage 13-1-0

2. Longhorns 10-4-0

3. New Cal Dog Ballers 7-7-0

T4. Uncle Rico’s All Stars 4-10-0

T4. Chain Gang 4-10-0

T4. Brew Crew 4-10-0

Sunday Coed League

1. Homestreet Bank 12-0-0

2. AC3 Blue 13-1-0

3. Soldiers 6-5-1

4. Turning Point 6-6-0

5. The Underdogs 6-8-0

6. Global Disposal 5-7-0

7. Boeing Spackler’s 3-9-0

8. Angel of the Winds 2-9-1

9. BMPF 2-10-0