JL Sluggers vs. ALPA Flyers

After a satisfying victory, the Sluggers let themselves relax a little too much at the start of the second game. Mystified by the "spinner" being pitched by ALPA, they swung at too many bad pitches and got in a hole early on in the game. Much like the first inning, the Sluggers failed to score first as ALPA took a 1-0 lead to begin the game. Unfortunately, after Law Dawg reached to lead things off for the Sluggers, the next six batters were retired in a row. Facing a 2-0 deficit, it appeared that the Sluggers just needed to get things in gear offensively. Yet, ALPA jumped out to a 6-0 lead after scoring four runs in the top of the third, putting the Sluggers in an even deeper hole. To lead off the bottom of the third inning, New Guy singled before being replaced by Downtown as a courtesy runner. After being moved around the basepath by Squirt, Downtown faced a situation where he was on third base and also the on-deck batter. Thankfully, Law Dawg singled in Downtown just in time for him to take his turn at bat, and in doing so, cut the the lead to 6-1. Downtown would get another workout in the fourth inning, as he replaced Wicked Hittah who had reached second base safely. Downtown scored on a close play at the plate as Greased Lightning knocked in the second run of the game for the Sluggers, and later scored himself, making it a 7-3 ballgame in favor of ALPA.

Despite a night that had been filled with spectacular defensive plays by the Sluggers, the fifth inning of game 2 was the nail in the coffin. ALPA managed to string together six more runs, increasing their lead to 13-3. The Sluggers didn't quit though, as Squirt, Law Dawg, and Downtown each scored again in the bottom of the inning, but the Sluggers still trailed 13-6. After a scoreless top of the sixth inning, the Sluggers came to bat one last time in the bottom of the sixth, adding another run, this time scored by Ringer. It was too little too late however, as ALPA's big fifth inning was too much to overcome in the late stages of game.

Not to be overlooked in the loss were some stellar defensive efforts from the Sluggers. On one play, Law Dawg charged a slow ground ball down the third base line, picked it up and made an off-balance throw to first base, beating the runner by half a step and drawing praise from Greased Lightning who thought he was watching his beloved A-Rod for a second, before realizing that the throw resulted in an out and didn't end up in the first row of the bleachers. Another fantastic play was made by Walk Me, as she pounced on a slow dribbler out in front of the plate and fired a strong throw to first base for the out. Walk Me also had some nice catches throughout the game with plays occurring at home plate, but none matched the smoothness of her fielding gem to first base. Also worth mentioning was the diving effort given by Downtown on a bloop single in which he almost caught the ball and nearly broke New Guy's ankles at the same time. New Guy also made some fine defensive plays at shortstop, a rarity for a left-hander, including snaring a line drive to end a bases loaded threat early in the game. At the plate, the most consistent hitter in the game was Plan B, who crushed one ball into the left-center gap and produced several other hard hit balls in the game.

Overall it was a tough loss for the Sluggers, but it was certainly made easier knowing that they had at least taken one game in the doubleheader. Next week, the Sluggers make their season finale against the IRI Mariners, and hope to end the season on a winning note. Next week also marks the return of the fabled hitting giant known as Fluffy to the squad. He will be returning after spending the last few weeks locked in a bunker, studying for the bar exam.

Pictured: Walk Me makes a great play to get the runner at first in what at first appeared to be an infield single.