Hardballers Softball - Game 5 Summary

Game Summary

Game 5 features a match-up between two struggling teams, as the 1-3 HardBallers were matched-up against the 1-2 Big 10 South. Both teams have had a rough start to the season and were looking to capture their second win of the season. And what day better to accomplish that feat than on Mother’s Day.

The B10S club got off to the wrong foot before game time as their roster consisted of only 8 players by game time. The team was allowed to take the field, but the HardBallers would have to provide a “non-fielding” catcher at the plate. Basically, this meant that the catcher would not be responsible of catching any fouls balls or making any plays at the plate. Regardless, this meant that the B10S’s would be at a fielding disadvantages as the team would rely on only three outfielders to cover the large outfield of Connell #1.

Taking the mound for the HBs’ was Coach Corbett. A-WOL, the team’s normal starting pitcher, was taken out of the rotation after game 4 due to psychological trauma. According to sources close to the team, the pitcher was still shaken-up psychologically after getting hit with a line drive off the thigh in game 3. There was no word as to when A-WOL would return mound, other than “after he regains his nerve to pitch again.”

The B10S got to work early in the first, rallying for 8 runs off of 10 hits. The HBs’ defense was unable to record the sure outs and looked quite shaky in the early going. The infield unit struggled to field ground balls and a pop-fly. Ian ended the bleeding by catching an infield fly ball to end the inning.

Despite the shaky start, the HBs’ offense would respond with 4 runs of their own to make it an 8-4 ball game. John and Pierre both hit triples in the inning.

In the second, the B10S managed to scratched together 3 runs. The run production was capped by an ITP HR. The HBs would hammer out 5 runs over 6 hits in their half of the inning. Kenny capped the inning with a 2 RBI triple.

After two innings of play, the B10S had the upper hand with an 11-9 lead over the HardBallers. This lead was earned despite being short-handed with only 8 fielders. What should have been a game that strongly favored the HardBallers was panning out to be a close game.

But fortunes would change hands as the HBs’ defense finally found its groove. In the third inning, the B10S went down in order as the infield unit managed to foil any attempt to snag a ground ball past the infield. Nichole ended the inning with her first strikeout of the game. It was more of the same in the forth, which featured a nice grab by Ian of a chopper down the line for the 5-3 force out. Kenny would pitch-in with a diving grab at short for the 6-3 play to end the inning.

John, Pierre and Jonathan all had an ITP HR. (Wolan)

As for the HBs’ offense, it went into overdrive in third inning, netting a season high 10 runs. John, Pierre and Jonathan turned the inning into a homerun derby, as the three each hit an ITP HR. "I'm tired from all this running!", commented Jonathan, after rounding the bases for the second time in the inning. In all, the team sent 15 batters to the plate and batted around the batting order for the first time this season.

The B10S tried to change the rhythm of the game in the fourth by replacing their pitcher. However, the pitcher looked severely inexperienced. “His pitches are flat” commented A-WOL. “If he pitches like that, he is going to have a ball smacked back right at him.” After the HBs’ netted four runs in the inning, A-WOL’s prediction came true as Jonathan hit a rocket back at the pitcher. Fortunately, the pitcher was in position to make the catch.

With the B10S down by 12, they would need to score at least one run in the top of the fifth to avoid the mercy rule. However, the HBs would deny the B10S any attempt of a come-back thanks in part to John “The Human Vacuum” at short. John made two incredible plays on two hard-hit balls to rob the B10S on base hits.

Though the HardBallers’ defense got off to a shaky start, they found their rhythm and helped the team cruise to a 23-11 win, picking-up their second win of the season.

Highlights

ITP HR: John, Pierre and Jonathan.

Pierre: 4 for 4 (2-2B, 3B, HR) 5 RBIs and 3 runs scored.

Ian: 4 for 4 (3-2B, 3B) 4 RBIs and 4 runs scored.

Sara: 2 for 4 with an RBI and one run scored.

Lauren: 2 for 3 (SO) with one run scored.

Nicole: first pitching win of the season.

Web gem: Nice grab by Ian of a chopper down the line for the 5-3 force out. (4th)

Web gem: Kenny's diving grab at short for the 6-3 play to end the inning. (4th)

Web gem: John snags two hard-ball balls to short for 6-3 out. (5th)

Post-game reaction

For a change, A-WOL actually had something good to say about the umpire stating, “his strike-zone was accurate and his play calling was on the money. This made the game fun. What more is there to say?”

Ian, Jonathan and Pierre seemed to agree. “He called the game as if he gave a dam. The other guy seemed only interested in collecting his pay.”

Game Photos & Audio Clips | HBs' Player Stats from the Game | Scorebook | Corbett's Post Game Analysis

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