We were the visiting team and got to bat first. We noticed right away that the cloud cover was blocking the usually blinding sun glare that distracts our batters (and it definitely showed in the offense for both teams!). Rob was our lead-off batter, who reached first safely with a single to right. Pete came up next and doubled to bring in the aging, but still speedy, "Gazelle". Tony dropped a double in the gap to score Pete and came 'round to score on a third double by Jimmy. Marc singled to score Jimmy before we wrapped things up. Not to be outdone, the Wizards picked up 4 runs as well, and we were tied at 4-4.
Bob was our first base runner in the second with a double and he reached home on a single from Pete. Pete moved on to third when Tony singled and then they both crossed the plate on a home run from Jimmy. Once again, the Wizards kept up the pace - scoring 4 runs in their turn at bat. After 2, we were still tied, 8-8.
Our third inning saw only one run come in, when Dan singled and was moved around on base hits from Liz and Bob. Unfortunately, our opponents saw a chance to snatch the lead away and they took it, posting two runs. They now led 10-9.
Pete led of our fourth inning offense with a single. Jimmy doubled and now we had runners on second and third. John A. singled to score them both and then he himself was brought in on Caroline, Dan, and Kathy. So we picked up three runs and the Wizards only two when they came up in the bottom of the the inning. That should have tied the score at 12-all. However, due to recently discovered accounting error (is our scorekeeper moonlighting from Worldcom???), our cumulative score was reported at 11. So as far as we all knew, we were trailing by 1 at 11-12. That will be the basis for the rest of the write-up. Criminal proceedings are now underway...
Bob hit a single to start off the fifth. Then the trouble started. Rob hit a double and Bob, pretending he was still fit, decided to try for home. He was out by a mile. Or was he? It seems the pitcher ran forward to cover the plate rather than let the female catcher make the play. When the pitcher made the tag, our team strongly urged that the hot-dog rule be applied. After some "enthusiastic discussion", the other team agreed. Rob got to move up to third on the play and then scored on a single by Pete. The Wizards, looking for revenge, started to pound our defense and rallied for 6 more runs. Things were looking dicey as we were now behind 13-18 with only two more innings to go.
Dan got on with a single in the top of the sixth, and went to second on a ground ball by Kathy. Singles by Liz and Bob brought him in. Rob doubled, scoring those two. Our defense hung tough, blanking the Wizards and we now trailed 16-18 heading into the final inning.
Tony hit a long triple and scored easily on a follow-up triple from Jimmy. John singled to bring Jimmy in and multiple singles from Marc, Caroline, and Dan scored John. That made the score 19-18 in our favor and put all the pressure on our defense. And they did not disappoint! A great play on the pitcher's mound by Kathy and a couple of fly balls to Pete in center field clinched the deal. Final score - 19-18!
This was a hard-fought and, as John A. called it, "acromonious" game and it sure did feel good to win. John and Kathy took turns on the mound with Bob and Caroline putting in time behind the plate. Offensive honors go to: Dan (5-5), Pete, Jimmy, (4-5), and Bob (4-4). Thanks to Melanie for keeping score and to John D. for cheering us on.
After the game, the team gathered around the cooler to relive the highlights and relax. A small group headed to Palumbo's for pizza and air-conditioning. A great time as always.