In what was surely the hottest game day we've ever faced (temperatures at midday topping 100 degrees!), ten intrepid players made the long walk last Thursday to the HO4 field to tackle NVA Nads (we're still not sure what that means!). For those of you who couldn't be with us, here's how it went.

We were the visiting team, so we got to bat first. Jimmy got us started with a double and Rob singled to bring him in to score. Kathy singled, then Jay smacked a home run to clear the bases. Zarah and Jeff both singled, then Lisa singled, with Zarah being forced out at third. Eric singled to score Jeff and after one more single from Bob, the inning was over. We had assumed an early lead at 5-0. The Nads couldn't muster any offense in the first and so we took the lead into the second inning.

A single by Jay was our only hit in the second inning. On defense, we gave up two runs and now led by three at 5-2.

Lisa, Eric, and Liz all reached first safely in the third inning, but a couple of force outs killed our offense quickly. Some lucky shots from the Nads garnered them three runs and the score was now tied.

Jimmy had another lead-off double in the top of the fourth and scored on a long triple from Rob. Jay singled to get Rob in, and then singles followed from Zarah, Jeff (with Jay being forced out at third), and Lisa. Unfortunately we had to settle for two runs, as we then ended the inning with the bags loaded. The defense hung tight once again and allowed no runs. We headed to the fifth leading 7-5.

We went three-up, three-down in the top of the fifth and things only got worse from there as we had one of our patented "bad innings". NVA Nads found all the chinks in our armor and put 6 runs on the board. At the end of five, they had stolen the lead and we were down 11-7.

A double by Rob and singles by Jay and Zarah got us one more run in the 6th. Our opponents picked up two more for themselves and were now ahead 13-8.

We were all hoping for a rally in the top of the seventh, but a lone triple by Eric was all we could manage and we left him stranded. The final score was the NVA Nads 13, Final Insult 8.

I'm not sure whether it was overconfidence or the heat that did us in. Maybe it was both. At any rate, it was still a fun game against a pleasant bunch of folks. Kathy did a great job on the mound with Bob handling the catching duties. Offensive honors go to Jay (4-4), Rob, Zarah, Lisa, and Eric (3-4). Special thanks to Melanie for keeping score and to everyone that came out for this scorcher when it would have been just as easy to stay home in the air-conditioning. After some unwinding around the cooler, we headed for Palumbo's for some pizza, beer, and cold air. A great time as always.

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