They came right out aggressively in the first, managing to bring one run home. When it was our turn only Sharon managed to hit safely and we found ourselves behind, but only by one.

This Translucents team was young, fast and determined. They took advantage of every opportunity and managed to scratch out another run in the second. For our side offensively, Louie opened his season with a single and Zarah followed with another, but that was it, and we still hadn't broken through, trailing by two now at 2 - 0.

The third inning was much of the same for both teams. This time they managed to find ways to bring two runs in and we couldn't buy a hit. So now we trailed by 4 at 4 - 0 but were still in the game and everyone on both sides knew it.

Things began to turn around in the fourth. We finally shut down their offense and, with that motivation, brought some free swinging bats to the plate. Bob O. started us off with a double. Jim followed with a double of his own to score his Dad. Sharon walked. Rob, Billy Masson and John A. hit back-to-back-to-back singles. When Zarah's second single scored Billy it was our fifth run of the inning to eliminate their advantage and give us a 1-run lead at 5 - 4.

They came roaring right back in the fifth, managing to get 2 more runs and the lead. We couldn't match their output and found ourselves trailing again, 6 - 5, with two innings to go.

In this fast-moving contest, everyone was acknowledging that both teams were playing great softball, and that the team that won this game was gonna have to do something in the last two innings to earn the victory. They didn't change their strategy at all in the sixth and, once again, managed to punch two runs across to increase their total to 8, despite an incredible catch by Kathy in short field to end their offense. We fought back offensively. Jim started it with a single, followed by a single from Sharon and a double from Rob to score Jim with a nice slide across the plate. Sharon and Rob got stranded, though, enabling us to gain only a single run. So we trailed by two, 8 - 6, going to the final inning.

The seventh was tension filled and exciting. Their offensive style got them another run (they scored in every inning except one) making our mountain 3 runs high. But we weren't about to quit now. Billy A. opened the inning for us with a long triple. Zarah sacrificed Billy home to cut the lead to two. Steve ripped a single and made it to third on a single by Kathy to put the tying runs on base. Everyone was up off the bench anticipating a fitting ending to this nail-biter. Unfortunately, the game ended in anticlimactic fashion as we stranded our two base runners to finish yet another game just short of victory.

This was a very exciting contest. Despite the month of inactivity, we played well on both offense and defense. They were young and fast; we were older, wiser and just as determined. It was a great game; we just didn't win.

Offensively, Sharon went 2 for 2 with a walk and Jim, Rob and Zarah went 2 for 3. Pitching honors go to John A. for another outstanding outing. The catching duties were handled by Bob F. with some relief from Bob O. And a special "Thank You" to Jo Larson for handling the scorekeeping duties.

Special thanks to our fans for this game. To Zoraida (a player with sideline duties in this game), Amanda and Brian Anderson, to Melanie, and to our old "Super Fan" Patsy Fagans. Oh, and to John Devaney, who managed to make it to the field in time to go for pizza.

After the game, most of the team hung around the cooler for a long time, catching up from the month's absence and reliving the game. Then a group of 10 players and fans headed to Palumbo's for some pizza and beer. A great time as always.

Now that we've gotten back to playing, it's time to begin our "Victory March" to the top of the standings!!