After some discussion about just who was the home team, the coaches decided to flip a coin. We ended up representing "home" and taking the field first. One run was allowed before we got our turn at bat. Jimmy led off with a single. Rob, up next, singled as well and moved Jimmy over to third. John D. doubled, scoring Jimmy and Rob. Rich hit a single that got John to third and John W. singled, knocking in John D. Caroline singled to load the bases, but was forced out at second on a single by John A. that score Rich. Pete then singled for another RBI (John W.) Rick and Marc also managed to reach first safely, but our run producing was over for the inning, netting us a respectable 5 runs and putting us ahead of the Chicks by 4.

The Screaming Chicks picked up one more in their half of the second inning, while we went 0-3 at the plate. Our lead had shrunk to 5-2.

The third inning was a long one, as the Chicks came screaming back, snatching 4 runs away from us. A double by John D. and a single by Rich was the sum total of our offense in the bottom half of the inning, and we had fallen behind 6-5.

No runs were scored by the S.C.'s in the fourth, while we picked up on more on back-to-back singles by John A., Pete, and Rick. The score was now tied at 6 apiece.

The fifth inning saw two unanswered runs posted against us, and we fell behind 8-6.

The sixth inning was a quiet one for both sides and we were now facing the final inning still trailing by two at 8-6.

The Chicks got one more run in what looked to be their final at-bat, putting us into a three-run hole. We weren't willing to go down without a fight, though. John W. led the inning off with a single and went to second when the pitcher walked Caroline. Pete singled to bring John in and move Caroline up to second base. Rick ripped a triple to score Caroline and Pete and was poised to score when a double play brought a quick end to the inning. However, we had tied the score at 9! The coaches agreed to a one-inning sudden death and it was on to the eighth.

Things looked rocky again as the Screaming Chicks still had some life left. They picked up two runs which we needed to counter in order to at least end up in a tie. Bob singled and went to second when Jimmy singled. Rob punched a double to bring them both home and the score was tied! With two outs and a runner on second, Rich lined the ball up the middle of the infield for what looked to be a hit that would surely score Rob. But....Rob, good baserunner that he is, had taken off at the crack of the bat and the ball clipped his leg on the way to the outfield for the final out. The game ended in a tie, 11-11.

While this game didn't provide us with a decisive win, I suspect it will be one of the most fun contests we have this year. It's not often we face a team that appears to be so evenly matched with our own and being behind and coming back several times made the game very exciting. Offensive honors for the game go to Pete and Rick (3-3) and Rich and John W. (2-3).

Thanks to Jennifer for showing up, if a bit belatedly, to root for us, to Assistant Coach Jimmy Opitz for taking over the lineup chores, and to Melanie for some great scorekeeping. Also, a special thank you to Jimmy, Pete and John A. who worked very hard before the game (and the arrival of the beer!) to make the field playable.