The Pitchers eased into their 2011 season, splitting a doubleheader with Fontana's Bar -- winning Game 1 by an extra-inning score of 3-2, and suffering a loss in Game 2 by the same score.
An uncharacteristically strong EP defense and adjusting to a new ump's strike zone was the name of Game 1 for the Pitchers. A Damian-to-David strike mowed down a Fontana's runner in the third, and an inning-ending double play two innings later got the Pitchers out of a jam, with right fielder Alicia quickly getting a squib down the line back into second base, and relay man Felix making a perfect throw to David at the plate to mow down a runner attempting to score. David then didn't hesitate in whipping the ball down to Sam at third, where a tag was applied in time to Fontana's greedy hitter.
The Pitchers got on the board in the bottom of the first, thanks to a lead-off triple from Sam and an RBI single from Damian. Fontana's managed to scrape together an answering run of their own in the fourth, and the teams remained locked in a 1-1 tie going into the bottom of the 8th. Making his Empty Pitchers debut, Matt capped a 3-for-3 game with a lead-off double and was able to come home with the winning run when fleet-of-cleat Felix induced an errant throw to second on his game-winning single.
Alex B. came on in early relief in Game 2 and found himself smack dab in a pitcher's duel for the ages. After a pair of inherited runners scored, the Pitchers D held up, with rookies Mina and Alex recording key outs, John providing his usual steady hands at short and Damian diving face-first into the weeds for a heart-stopping catch, using the knee-high ground cover to the team's advantage.
Buddies Alex K. and Damian scored the game's only runs for the Pitchers, when the team was finally able to string together hits from Damian, John and a shot from Nicole that redeemed the ladies (at that point, a combined 0-17 on the day). Unfortunately, tough-luck hits dropped in in the bottom of the 7th and Fontana's recorded their first-ever win against the Pitchers, who were left to console themselves with suspect "buckets" of beer at Jeremy's. We'll have to wait until the playoffs to take our revenge.
Fashion Plate of the Game: Congratulations to Julie, whose green-white EP throwback paired with a khaki Miller Lite hat from her drinking collection caused an early-season sensation in the dugout.
Next Game: We take on newbie (I think) Team Kaitlin this Saturday, Sept. 17. Plan your Coleman Oval arrival for noontime.
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