We were the home team, so Dirty Sox went to bat first and got to work immediately, scoring 9(!) runs as we had one of our patented "bad innings". We finally put them down and concentrated on chipping away at their lead. Jimmy led us off with a double and Shannon followed with a double of his own to score Jimmy. Jeff B. singled, moving Shannon to third. Rob then singled, bringing in Shannon. Eric then singled, allowing Jeff B. to make it home. That was all the offense we were able to muster in the first, and we moved to the second inning with the score at 9-3.
We were able to stem the bleeding in the second, allowing only one Dirty Sock to pass home plate. We squeezed out a few more runs as Lisa opened with a single and was brought home on a triple by Jimmy. Shannon singled to score Jimmy and we ended the inning trailing 10-5.
Inning three saw the Sox score two more runs, as well as a great defensive play by Jimmy who, after backing up a throw to second, charged in and tagged out a runner who had rounded the bag just a bit too far. Rob started our offense up with a single and went to second courtesy of a single by Eric, but sadly that was all the offense we could manage. We now headed into the 4th with the gap a bit wider at 12-5.
Things got worse for us in this inning, as Dirty Sox once again found the holes in our defense, posting 6 more runs. Our hopes of gaining back some lost ground faded quickly, as we went three-up, three-down to end the inning. The score was now 18-5.
We held the Sox scoreless in the 5th and began to fire up the offense again. Bob led off with a triple and scored when Jimmy launched a rocket into the outfield for a home run. Shannon then doubled and made it to home plate on a single by Jeff. B. With a total of three runs scored, we went into the 6th inning with the score now at 18-8.
The defense had really begun to gel at this point and the Sox were put away quickly once again. Shannon displayed his agility (or sense of self-preservation) by spearing a line drive that looked like it should have left an exit wound. We managed to pick up a few more runs this inning. Lisa led us off with a single and moved to third on a double by Bob. Jimmy was up next and singled, bringing Lisa and Bob. Shannon singled, advancing Jimmy, who headed for home after a single by Jeff B. We now headed into the 7th and final inning in the hole 18-11.
The 7th was another fine defensive inning and the third straight in which not a single Sox run was allowed. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed any runs either and our first three batters were retired in order. The game wrapped up with the final score at 18-11.
Offensive honors for the game go to Jimmy and Shannon who went 4 for 4 (with Jimmy hitting for the cycle!!), Jeff B. and Rob who both went 3 for 4, and Lisa and Bob, who were 2 for 3. Kathy's pitching job was beyond reproach as she allowed only one walk (and only to the player with the smallest strike zone), while Lisa and Bob shared the catching duties. A special "thank you" to Melanie who made her debut as scorekeeper (and did a fine job!) and also to Mike who, while not able to play, stopped by to cheer us on in the early innings.
A small contingent (owing to Survivor and a Penguins game) headed for Palumbo's for pizza and beer where we were met by Jeff's significant other, Renee (or is it Michelle ;-) ) A great time as always.