The Wizards wasted no time in getting their offense started, picking up two runs in the top half of the first. Jimmy led off for us with a double. Rick moved him over to third with a single and he came into score on a single from Rich. Although Pete and John D. also reached first safely, a couple of force outs on the base paths kept us from adding to our run total. We trailed at the end of one with the score at 2-1.
Two more runs were rung up by the Wizards in the second while we sent only three batters to the plate before being retired. We were now behind 4-1.
Inning three was not much better as we gave up three more runs and only picked up one more for ourselves. That run was generated by a single from Zarah (who was moved to third on sacrifices by Dan and Liz). She came in to score on a single by Bob. Things were starting to look ugly as we fell further behind at 7-2.
The Wizards' offense kept revving in the top of the fourth as they continued to find the chinks in our defensive armor. They gained four more runs and then proceeded hold us scoreless, allowing only two singles (Rob and Rich). The score now stood at 11-2.
The fifth inning was somewhat unique in that we were able to prevent any Wizards from reaching home plate. However, we were unable to capitalize on their sudden lack of offense as our batters went down in order. No change in the score - still 11-2.
If it can be said that we usually have a "bad" inning, then the sixth was definitely it, as we gave up 6 more runs to our opponents. Marc punched a single through the infield as our lead-off baserunner in the bottom of the sixth, but was forced out at second while Zarah made it to first base. Dan, up next, singled to advance Zarah. Bob singled to score Zarah, but unfortunately that was all the charge we had in our battery. We headed back on to the field for the final inning trailing 17-3.
Our "never-say-die" defense held strong in the top of the seventh, keeping the Wizards from making things any worse. Rob was our first batter of the inning and he promptly singled. However, he was almost just as promptly forced out at second base with Rick replacing him at first. Rich singled to give us runners on first and second. Pete drilled a 2-RBI double to get them in, but we had no more rabbits in our hat at that point and we wound up the game with a 17-5 loss.
Losing aside, this was a fun game against a good team. We'll look forward to facing them again later in the season. After the game we huddled around the cooler for some fermented refreshment and then a small group of us wound our way to Palumbo's for pizza. A great time as always!