27 Feb 2010

Roster
Ones: Pitch Ziegler, Catch HiTea 1st Upton, 2nd Horfun, 3rd Rickey, SS DT, LF Rugburn, CF Dumi/H, RF HiTea/Dumi
Twos: Catch Geok, 1st Uboat, 2nd Ling, 3rd Indiana, SS Ripken, LF Shane, CF Bumblebee, RF Geok/JC

Box Score
Twos: 4 2 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
Ones: 0 0 0 6 0 0 3 2 1

Final Score
Ones 12 : Twos 11

Highlights
Top 4 - Chris-Upton 6-3 DP
Bot 4 - 3 back-to-back-to-back 2 RBI HRs, reminds me of the 'score from home' games we had to play not that long ago.
Bot 5 - Rugburn-Ripken-Uboat, 1-6-3 DP
Bot 7 - 2RBI HR between Bumblebee's legs
Top 8 - Ziegler unassisted DP at 1st
Bot 9 - Chris opposite field walkoff single to score Horfun from 1st

It looks like 2010 is starting out better than we've had in years. We're getting better than average numbers, with a high level of quality play and nice (albeit hot) weather and hard, even ground. Upton has definitely contributed to this with his strong recruiting. We will certainly be very sad to see him go when his term is up. Hopefully the guys he's managed to rope into our little weekend game will stay and play even when he's gone.

It was another week of strong comebacks and flashy glovework. Many a doubleplay was turned, including an unassisted DP from Ziegler. He caught an opposite field liner and pounced on 1st to get the leading runner out. It was a magnificent play, considering that the guy just recovered from knee surgery.

The Twos took an almost unassailable 10 run lead going into middle of the 4th, many a 'mercy' whisper was heard and we were even figuring out who to trade to make the teams even. Little did anyone expect the 3 HRs and 6 runs that were to follow. 6 batters came up and 6 batter scored from 3 2rbi HRs. It was almost like our 'score-from-home' games, not too long ago, were being put into practice.

With the lead whittled down. The Ones tightened up their defense and opened up their offense. An unheardof 0 runs were scored in the 5th, and it looked like the beginning of the end for the Twos when the Ones scored another 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th thanks to a rare E8 from Bumblebee. The One finally pulled even going into the top of the 9th, 11 runs apiece. Three innings of solid defense ensured that the Twos could not get back on board. Heading into the bottom of the 9th holding a tie score, Horfun led off to get on base. Chris then hit a perfectly placed opposite field single (kudos to H for that inspiration from previous week) that scored Horfun for the walkoff victory.

As it was still early (who'd have thought we could finish our first game by 5pm), we decided to go another 3 innings. That was a huge mistake as the sun had practically worn our energy levels to 0. We played on nonetheless, but decided to call it a game after 3 innings and a tied score.

Interestingly enough. Game 2 seemed to be a mirror of Game 1. The Twos took an early lead in the first 2 innings, finally leading 6-0 going into the bottom of the 9th. It was the Ones who came back from a 6 run deficit to tie the game before the end.

Is it wrong to pray for a little rain? Maybe on Thursday or Friday. Just a little mind you, not a lot. Just enough to moisten the ground, not enough to make it muddy.

For those interested, it seems that Febuary 2010 has been the driest month in 140 years.

Second Game
Ones 6 : Twos 6 - Tie 3 innings