The Sea Dogs were the visiting team and got to bat first, getting in one run. Jimmy led off for us with a solo home run. Tony and Rob both singled, and then Jay singled to bring in Tony. Rick hit a single to center to get Rob home before some force outs ended our run. After the first inning, we led 3-1.

Both teams took it easy in the second, with no runs scored. Still 3-1.

The Dogs collared another run in the third, while the infamous sun glare of HO3 took it's toll on our batters and allowed the opposing pitcher to record two strike-outs and end the inning unscathed. We were now up by only one run, 3-2.

We haven't had a "bad inning" in a while, but we sure made up for lost time in the fourth. The Sea Dogs really came unleashed, as eight of them went for a walk to home plate, putting them way past us on the scoreboard. To make matters worse, we were still in a batting slump and weren't able to make any kind of a comeback. At the end of four, we had fallen behind 10-3.

Our defense settled down in the top of the fifth and we were able to hold Spirent scoreless. John W. was our first base runner of the inning with a single, and then Jimmy blasted another home run for two RBIs. Tony got a base hit that ended up as a triple after an error, and then Rob brought him in with a single to right. We were starting to come back a bit. Having picked up three runs, we were now down 10-6.

The Sea Dogs weren't just going to roll over and play dead, however, as they fetched two more runs in the top of the stickth (I mean...sixth). Unfortunately, we were retired in order, leaving us heading into the final inning trailing 12-6.

The good news in the seventh was that we did not allow any more runs to score against us. The bad news is that another home run by Jimmy (his third!) and singles by Rob and Jay only netted us two more runs. The final score was 12-8 in favor of the Sea Dogs.

A number of things worked against us in this game. We had the oppressive heat, blinding sun, numerous people with injuries requiring running assistance, one bad inning defensively and four innings out of seven where we scored no runs. Given all that, I think we played a heck of a game and I look forward to taking on the Sea Dogs next year. Their bark is definitely worse than their bite!

Pitching duties were undertaken by John A. and Caroline, with John W. manning the plate. Offensive honors for the game go to Rob and Jay (4-4), Jimmy (3-4), Rick (3-3), John A. and John W. (2-3). And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the terrific catch by Liz in short field. If only I had that on tape!! Thanks to our fans - Melanie, John D., Jason, and Jennifer for braving the temperatures to support the team. On behalf of the team, all our best to Jimmy and Zarah, who will next be seen as husband and wife. Congratulations!

After the game a small group of us headed for Palumbo's for some pizza, soda, and cooler temperatures. A great time as always.