JL Sluggers vs. IRI Mariners

With Game 1 in the books, the Sluggers turned the page to the final chapter in their inaugural season. By this time the sun was setting and gnats swarmed 'round the sweaty bodies of the Sluggers players. It was anything but glamorous, yet the Sluggers knew that they could not be distracted in their quest for a .500 record and the third place division finish.

Trotting out the same lineup as Game 1, the Sluggers once again got out to a fast start. After Law Dawg was called out on a controversial (blown) call at first base, Wicked Hittah, Plan B, and Fluffy all reached base safely and scored to get the game started. More stellar defense in the bottom half of the inning, left the Mariners scoreless once again, giving the Sluggers a 3-0 lead after one inning.

The second inning was more of the same as Law Dawg, Wicked Hittah, and Fluffy added three more runs to put the Sluggers up 6-0. Law Dawg would score once more in the top of the third inning, before finally surrendering a run to the Mariners in the bottom of the third. After three it was 7-1 in favor of the Sluggers.

There was a momentary delay in the top of the fourth inning as Fluffy reached base, but the on-deck batter was nowhere to be found. It turns out the missing player was Walk Me, who was discovered seconds later, attached to her cell phone in the dugout. Despite ending her phone call abruptly to take her turn at bat, Walk Me proved that she is definitely capable of multitasking (as if we didn't know that already) as she casually stepped up to the plate and recorded another hit. Fluffy, Walk Me, and New Guy would all come around to score in the inning, making it 10-1 Sluggers.

The Sluggers would add seven more runs before the game was called due to time restrictions, including two runs scored by Law Dawg, his third and fourth of the game, and runs scored by Wicked Hittah, Plan B, Fluffy, Walk Me, and New Guy. The final score: Sluggers 17 - Mariners 2.

Some memorable plays occurred in the second game as well. After shifting Fluffy to left field for a pull hitter, the IRI player hit the ball to deep center where Fluffy was forced to run a good 25 yards to track the ball down, which he eventually did, albeit gasping for air afterward. New Guy and G-Man combined on some nice infield plays, as did Wicked Hittah and Plan B. Stellar on defense as always, Law Dawg snared multiple line drives with his catlike reflexes, triggering a chorus of oohs and aahs from the fans in attendance. Law Dawg and Fluffy were the players of the night as each scored a total of seven runs between the two games. Both players will certainly be hot commodities on the free agent market this winter.

The victory moved the Sluggers to 9-9 on the season, which is quite the feat considering that their firm is only a small fraction of the size of most in their division.

On behalf of the Sluggers, I want to thank Jackson Lewis, Greased Lightning, and Walk Me, for helping fund, support and start up the softball team. I would like to thank those who participated, making the JL Sluggers a reality, especially Walk Me and Squirt, the only players to participate in every single game even through injuries. I would also like to thank all of the fans who attended games and supported us through reading the blog. It has been a fun ride, and we hope to do it again next year!

Go Sluggers!
-Coach

Pictured: (Top Left) New Guy rips a line drive into centerfield. (Right) The Sluggers newest fans, Pam Mak and her husband Marc, pose for a picture from the Sluggers dugout. (Bottom Left) G-Man connects on one of his six hits on the night.