The bench celebrates the score as Nicole returns to the dugout.  (Wolan)

After a rough outing in game one of their doubleheader, the HardBallers are looking to regroup and split the series in game 2. However, they will have their hands full as they go up against the defending 2006 League Champions, “Uno Dos Adios.”

The HardBallers’ offense got to work early in the first, as John and Austin lead off the inning with back to back hits. They would eventually score to put the HBs up two zip.

The bottom half of the first drew a scary moment. While chasing after a deep fly ball into left field, Pierre collided with the foul pole. The collision knocked him to the ground as the pole sputtered out rain water. Pierre was ok and play resumed shortly afterwards. After one, “Uno Dos Audios” was up 3-2.

The HB offense went down silently in order in the second and would remain silent until the fourth. Here, Adam hit a two out RBI triple to batter-in Nicole. And that would be the extent of the HB offense.

As for the HB defense, they managed to limit “Uno Dos Adios”’s run production to 3 or fewer runs through 5 innings of play. In the sixth, however, “Uno Dos Adios” put the game away belting two homeruns and scoring 5 runs until the game was called due to the “mercy rule” as the HardBallers fell 19-3

Despite the rough start to the season, Coach Corbett was optimistic with what she saw. “I do see great potential in our offense,” said Coach Corbett at a post-game press conference. “We have the power; we just need to straighten [things] out.” As for defense, “after our first couple of innings the defense really started to come together and make good plays.”

Andy Wolan is a reporter and photographer for BWCS. This story was not subject to the approval of the league or its clubs.