We were the home team and took the field first. The Cheers batters wasted no time in establishing a lead, picking up 4 runs in the first before we could retire the side. Pete got on for us with a single and came home on a double from Rich. We left Rich hanging and moved into the second, trailing 4-1.
Cheers picked up three more runs in the top of the second, and it was looking like we were going to experience a repeat of our last matchup. John D. started us off with a double and was able to score on a double from John A. However, after two pop-ups, we were looking at a runner on second with two outs. Then a little bit of magic happened. Dan singled to get John A. home, then Liz and Bob singled to load the bases. Jimmy was up next, and he blasted a bases-clearing grand slam. Unwilling to stop there, Pete and Rob singled. Rich then launched a deep one to the outfield for our second home run of the inning. When the dust had cleared, we had taken the lead by three at 10-7!
We gave up one more run to our opponents in the third, but gained it right back on a double from John A. (2 in a row!) and an RBI single by Kathy. Dan singled as well, but we weren't able to get him in before we were put down. We went back out into the field holding on to our 3-run lead at 11-8.
The Cheers bats got a little hot again in the top half of the fourth inning, as they brought three runs in to tie the score. Unwilling to give up the lead, we battled back. Jimmy doubled and came in on a single by Pete. Rob singled, bumping Pete to second base. Rich then doubled to score Rob and Pete. Zarah ripped an RBI single to bring in Rich before they were able to call a halt to our rally. Having gained four runs, we found ourselves back out in front at 15-11.
The fifth inning came and went quickly as we kept the Cheers gang from scoring and were retired in order in our half.
Inning six saw Cheers attempt a comeback and get two more runs, but we quickly showed them what was the "Norm". Dan led us off with a walk, but was forced out at second on a ground ball from Liz (who reached first safely). Bob singled to give us runners on first and second. Jimmy was up next, and he hit a long single that scored Liz, while Bob held up at second base. A well-hit triple from Pete earned him two RBIs, as Bob and Jimmy came in to score. Rich singled to drive in Pete, and then a single from Zarah brought Rich in. At the end of six, we had pretty much put the game out of reach at 20-13.
Cheers, presumably thoroughly demoralized by now, went down easy in the seventh with no runners crossing the plate. Not needing our "last licks", we let loose with some cheers of our own, as we'd beaten the first-place team by a satisfying margin of 7. Final score - 20-13.
This was definitely one of our best games in recent memory. Kathy and John A. did an outstanding job on the mound, with the catching duties (for both teams!) shared by Caroline, Jimmy, Rich, and Bob. Offensive honors go to: Rich and Jimmy (4-4), Pete (3-4), John A, Liz, and Bob (2-3) and Dan (2-2 and a walk). There were also some fine defensive plays that looked like they belonged in the "A" league. I won't mention any specific ones for fear of leaving someone out, but y'all know who you are. Great job! And, as usual, thanks to Melanie for some fine scorekeeping.
After the game, the team gathered 'round the cooler to celebrate our exciting win. A group of 5 Insult'ers headed over to Palumbo's for pizza. A great time as always!