HURTIN' UNITS vs. RUSTY REBELS
Game # 5- June 14, 2010
Hurtin' Units tie the Rusty Rebels
Team Record 3-1-1
Keogh Park- It had been overcast most of the day and at times looked like the sky might open up and give us a few showers, but by game time the clouds had given way to sun. The sun made the right fielders, first and second bases difficult to see the balls hit high into the sky.
We were home team again, every game this season... At game time we had 10 players, 2 players were missing, Nyzee was working another 16 hour shift and Al was AWOL.
There is something about playing a former team, it seems to bring back a flush of memories of seasons gone by. In 2007 Mike and I played with the Rusty Rebels. The Rebels team is Captained by Hugh Armstrong and Donny Booth. In 2007 the Rebels were a middle of the standings kinda of team, not great ( although some nights we looked quite good), but not a bottom of the barrell squad either. We had some decent players( Andy Gee, Glen Gray, Tony Mrasek, Jim Hunter), but just not enough to get into Sunday games in the playoffs...
I had the pleasure of being ribbed and picked on by Captain Hugh on a game by game basis. It was all lighthearted, tongue in cheek ribbing (which still goes on to this day) and for the most part it was all in jest, I have a good soul, so I think I can take it...On draft day 2007, Hugh asked me where I wanted to play, I replied by saying in the infield. I played third base the entire season, even when players were missing from second or first, I asked to change, but always found myself back at third. I spent the whole season having to listen to Hugh( he played shortstop) and anyone who knows Hugh knows what I'm talking about...Third was not the position I wanted, but I learned to like it... I've spent the last three years playing third base ( Rebels, Stiffs, Banshees), it's funny how things work out... I also blogged the entire season I played with the Rebels... There is a link on the Hurtin' Units website if you wish to check it out...
Okay, enough about my history with the Rebels, let's get to a brief summary of last night's game.We blew it! Okay, maybe we didn't blow it, but we were not as sharp defensively as in previous games or maybe the Rebels deserve some credit for a well played game.
The Rebels scored a single run in the top of the first inning, they were threatening more, but our defense was strong and stopped them at one. We were shut down in the bottom of the inning. The Rebels scored 3 more runs in the second and again shut us down... The Rebels scored another run in the third, but in the bottom of the third the Hurtin' Units bats came to life. The Units went on a run of consecutive hits and scored 6 runs before being stopped with the 7th run stranded on second. The Units lead 6-5 after 3 innings.
The Units finally stopped the Rebels offense (well at least for an inning) in the 4th and added another 4 runs in the bottom of the inning. Units lead 10-5.
Both teams scored a single run over the next 2 innings and going into the 7th (open inning) the Hurtin' Units held a comfortable 11-6 lead. In the top of the 7th inning the Rebels pounded out hit after hit and the runs started to come in fast and furious, by the time the Units had 3 outs the Rebels had scored 6 runs and taken a 12-11 lead...
This was the Units first blown save of the season, the first time when leading going into the 7th inning we lost the lead. There was a lot of tension in the bottom half of the 7th inning. We had just blown a 5 run lead and we were 3 outs away from losing the game. We managed to get the bases loaded, but with 2 out. Our next batter was Paul (cool as cucumber Pauly); Paul took the count to 3-2 and the final pitch was a.... ball. Red had walked in the tying run and the bases were still loaded, the Units now had a chance to win the game with another walk or a base hit. Donny Curran was the next batter, he took the first 3 pitches and had a 1-2 count, the next pitch Don swung, got under the ball and hit a lazy fly ball that was caught to end the game...
Postgame: There were smiles on most of the participants faces, it was a good comeback for the Rebels and a fortunate tie for the Hurtin' Units, all wrapped up in a drama packed 7th inning finish. A well earned point for both teams!
There were several highlights and mishaps worth mentioning. First, not related to last night's game, but certainly worthy of mention, I was checking the T.O.T. Website this morning and noticed that our teammate Tom Perry leads the top 25 batters with a 1.000 on base average, 10 for 10 and Mike Olliffe is also in the top 25 batters.
Back to game: I think we all had a good laugh when Robin ( I think it was Robin) hit a ball down to third base, where Rebels player Dave Polny was playing, Dave caught the ball and through it towards first base only to have the Rebels pitcher Eric Hipkin cut the ball off at the mount... Next...I really liked the double play turned by Robin and I. Next... Mark Doyle hit a towering shot off the left field fence over Jens' head, but Jens retrieved the ball quickly, got it back to the infield to hold Mark to only a double. Next... I made 2 nice snags at second base only to rush my throws to first, I need to slow down and set myself to make better throws, this is something I will work hard to improve as the season progresses...
Our next game is Wednesday June 16 at 8:15 at Keogh Park... UNITS UNSTEADY!!
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