When Collective Soul sang in their stirring wuss-pop anthem “Run,”
I’ve got a long
way to run
I’ve got a long way to run
I’ve got a long way to run
I’ve got a long way to run
I’ve got a long way to run
I’ve got a long way to run
I’ve got a long way to run
I’ve got a long way to run
(Repeat x1200)
it’s more than evident they had the CVBL playoffs firmly in mind. The league’s postseason is not so much a war of attrition as it is a series of guerilla skirmishes against complacency. The Tupper Lake Timberjaxx’ tastes must tend more toward grunge metal and acid jazz, because last weekend they provided a free-of-charge, lunch-included clinic in what happens to those who fail to bear the concept in mind. Loreman’s was an afterthought. Strike that, Loreman’s wasn’t even a thought at all; when this reporter heard they’d advanced to the CVBL semifinals, he found himself struggling against a natural disconnect that had formed in his brain between the concepts of Loreman’s and winning. But win they did, in a 5-4 squeaker tantamount to Buster Douglas coming back from 3-0 down to defeat Georgetown in the medal round of the 1980 Olympic hockey tournament.
And so Sunday found the ‘Hens at South Acres field, playing a franchise whose all-time wins total could be tied by any team on any given weekend. And as one might expect, there the dream began to die. The Mudhens’ offense exploded to the tune of five roundtrip airfares, and Gus Terry’s right arm ensured the Fighting Embroiderers won’t be expecting anything approaching a five-run output for a good long while. Even Dan Hoffman joined in the fun, legging out the single greatest triple he’s ever seen. In short, the Mudhens rolled in a laugher, setting the stage for a potential sweep next weekend in Saranac.
Do not, however, count your Mudhens before they’ve hatched. Loreman’s has proven they can stay in any given game. Two in a row? Probably not, but hey, if you come you might get to see a doubleheader, anyway. In any case, looking ahead in a completely non-jinxing fashion, the stage appears to be set for a foray to the plastered pastures of Lyon Mountain two weeks from now. So start cruising eBay for flack jackets, because we’ve still got a long way to run. A long way to run. A long way to run.
PLAYOFF ROUNDUP!
Will return next column. I have a headache. Here’s a picture of Patrick Bennett in a Mudhens cap to hold the ladies over.
