Our defense was pretty tough in the first inning but they did score a run with a ball over the entire defense and some very fast feet. On offense, Jim led off the game for us and tried to send them a message but was tagged out at third trying to stretch a double into a triple. Rob tripled in his at-bat but we couldn't get any runs across and trailed by 1 after the opening inning.

We stayed strong defensively in the second keeping them away from any scoring opportunities. In the bottom of the inning Bob F. got us started with a single. Sammy followed with a very well placed ball for a triple to score Bob. Sharon scored Sammy with a single. Zarah singled. Melanie singled. Bob O. singled, and when it was over we had scored three to get the lead at 3 - 1.

They came right back in the third, finding seams in the defense and, with some good base-running, took back the lead with a 3-run total for the inning. Then it was our turn again. Rob led off the inning with a double but was tagged out on a play from John's bat. Then Bob F. launched a rocket over the outfield for an easy homer to get us the lead back. Sammy followed with a double but was left stranded. So, after 3 exciting innings, we clung to the thinnest of leads at 5 - 4.

There were no seams to find in our defense in the fourth as those HRWs went down quickly and we put the bats back in our hands. We showed that we could use the bats when Steve opened the inning with a single, followed by Zarah's second hit of the game. Mel got her second single, Bob O. changed places with Mel on a Fielder's Choice, and Jim went to the long ball with a round-tripper to pad our lead. But we weren't done yet. Kathy started us up again with a single, followed by a single by Rob. When Bob F. doubled we were scoring again. Sammy followed Bob with a skillfully placed ball through the outfield gap and, sensing a 4-bagger opportunity, galloped around the bases and headed for Home. An outstanding defensive play (throw, catch and tag) stole Sammy's homer but we had added 7 big runs to our lead which had now grown to 8 at 12 - 4.

The fifth was kind of quiet. They managed to score another run when they were up, and only Sharon could hit safely for our side. So we took a 7-run lead (12 - 5) to the final two innings.

We turned them away with little difficulty in the sixth. On offense, Melanie got her third consecutive single, Bob O. hit into his second consecutive Fielder's Choice (quite an accomplishment), and Jim hit his second consecutive home run with another long "rope" over the outfield. Rob followed with a single but that was all we got, and we went to the final inning with a 9-run lead at 14 - 5.

As if to say "We ain't done yet", they came to the 7th with bats they weren't swinging during the first 6 innings. Knowing they needed 9 to tie, they took lots of chances, played very aggressively, and were scoring often when Jim and Kathy ended their dream on an outstanding defense play that took HRWs by surprise and out of the game. The final score was 14 - 10 to lift our record to 3 - 2.

This was another exciting game (we've already had several now this season). The early lead changed hands 3 times before we captured it for good in the 3rd. A big offensive inning in the fourth kept everyone smiling and relaxed, and a good comeback attempt in the 7th kept a little tension in the game.

Offensively, Rob went 4 for 4, Bob F., Sammy and Melanie each went 3 for 3, and Jim went 3 for 4 with 2 homers. Pitching honors go to Bob F., with Bob O. handling the catching duties. And a special "Thanks" to Jo Larson for handling the scoring duties.

Unfortunately, there were several "Insult" injuries in this game. The worst of which was a pulled hamstring by Tony in the second that took him out of the game. Rob scraped up his knee and Zarah suffered from muscle cramps for most of the game. Most injuries can be prevented if we warm up properly (which I don't think we do).

Thanks to our fans for this game: Debbie and Paul Wilkowski, John Devaney and Insult'er MJ, both of whom showed up at the very end of the game.

After the game we watched Rob rake the field for a while, then made the long walk back to the cooler where we verbally replayed the game and had a few laughs. Then a good sized (10) contingent of players and fans headed to Palumbo's for some pizza and more beer. A great time as always.