Hardballers Softball - Game 8 Summary (Page 2)

Continuing Action

The fifth inning was a defensive show as the HBs went down in order while the BDs only managed to scrap-together a run, making the score 21-11. Since the HBs were behind just shy of the “mercy rule” limit of 12 runs, the game proceeded in the sixth.

A-WOL kicked the sixth inning off by stretching a line-drive single into left field for a double. Nicole followed with a line-drive shoot to second, but was robbed of a base-hit as the second basewomen made an excellent catch. Austin followed with a pop-up near third. It would appear that the inning would end uneventful until Pierre, Ian, Kenny and Adam all followed suit with line-drive base hits to net three runs in the inning before Jonathan flied to center field for the final out.

In the bottom half of the sixth, A-WOL took the mound in place of Corbett. A-WOL started the inning solid, demanding respect from line-up by tossing solid strikes. The first two batters were retired quickly, first grounding out and then lining-out to short. The next batter hit a blooper behind first, but Austin was unable to make the behind-the-head grab for the out.

The very next batter hit a bullet into center field and threatened to net an ITP HR. However, the HB defense had other plans. As the runner tried to score on the play, Jason, Ken, and Austin combined for a relay to home and managed to tag the runner out at the plate. This was the delight of A-WOL, who gave out a burst of cheers. “After listening to the other team celebrate every little play, it was great to finally out do them and give them a taste of their own medicine.” This play also marked the first time this season in which the team was able to get a runner out at home using the relay.

The Ultimate Comeback Rally

With the score 22-14, the HardBallers would need at least 8 runs to keep the game going. What the team needed was a rally, and what better spark to fire-up a rally and perhaps an upset than the great play to end the previous inning?

At first, it did not appear as if the HBs would get anything going, as both Jamie and Jason lead the inning with two quick out.

Ian gives a thumb's up as he and his entourage return to the dugout. (Wolan)

But fortunes would exchange hands as Lindsey managed to net an infield hit as the first baseman was unable to make the play. A-WOL followed suit with a line-drive base hit into left over the short-stop’s head. Nicole would follow with a bloop hit in the shallow right field behind second base. The BDs were unable to make the play and three fielders collided on the play, scoring Lindsey from second. None of the fielders were injured on the play.

Austin followed suit with a line-drive hit to bat-in A-WOL, and Pierre would follow with a hit to load the bases. With the bases juiced, Ian would follow by hitting an ITP-HR Grand Slam to clear the bases.

And just like that, the HardBallers had cut into the BDs lead to two. The BDs were clearly getting worried as a possible upset was in the making. It only got worse as Kenny followed with a double, netting him the cycle in the process. But the rally would end abruptly as Adam lined-out to the pitcher for the final out.

So despite an extremely shaky start and despite having to deal with the rowdy antics of their opponent, the HBs managed to hold their composure and fell a hair short of pulling the ultimate comeback rally, falling 20-22.

Post-Game Reaction

It would appear that the game had taken its toll on one player. After the game, Lindsey refused to participate in the post-game hand shake citing the BDs behavior as the cause. “I’m not shaking their hands. Definitely not after what they said or how they’ve been behaving.”

Undoubtedly, this game was the most rowdy game this sports writer has covered since a game covered in 2004. Expectedly, there was much chatter about this game in the club-house after the game. Descriptions of the Balls Deep behavior ranged from a “circus” to “jackasses”.

It was later mentioned that according to league rules, if a team is caught drinking during a game, the team could face repercussions ranging from a forfeit to expulsion from the league. When asked, the team did not seem interested in exercising either option, saying as Corbett put it “[a win] should be earned.”

“Whether they were sober or not… they beat us” commented Jason. “Yeah they were rude and obnoxious but in the end we came up short.”

“I could care less about the drinking, it was really the comments that bothered me” commented Jonathan. “Just for the simple fact that this is a co-ed league and while the ladies on their team may not mind the jokes they make, you have to be considerate of the other team also. They just need to be more careful with the stuff that they are saying. You should be able to come and play without worrying about feeling uncomfortable because of someone's rude jokes.”

In the end, the team seemed to agree that despite the poor behavior of their opponents, the HBs response through-out the game was classy and appropriate. In addition, it seemed unfortunate for the BDs to behave the way they do because they are a good team… just not as good as the HBs! And that the best thing the team could do after this game was to simply “get-em next time”.

“I’ve played games like this in the past” said A-WOL. “You can respond in two ways: either behave like them or let your bat and glove do the talking. I for one chose the later and used their bickering as a motivator to do the I could both at the plate and on the field.

“ I feel I accomplished this objective with some good at bats and a few good catches and plays in the outfield that limited batters to base hits… except for the fact that I overdid it on the throws to the cut-off man that ended going to the pitcher or catcher. Opps!”

Highlights

Kenny: 5 for 5 (1B, 2B, 2-3B, HR) with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored. He also hit the cycle; first for the HBs' this season.

Ian: 4 for 5 (3B, HR) with a gland slam, 6 RBIs and 4 runs scored.

Adam: 4 for 5 (2B, 3B) with with 3 RBIs and 1 run scored.

Webgem: 6-3 double play involving Kenny and Austin in the first.

Webgem: Jason, Kenny, Austin rely to get the runner out at home plate.

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.