Hurtin' Units Charge: Kings Crowned No More!

Game # 9 - June 23, 2026

Hurtin' Units vs. The Diamond Kings

Hurtin' Units win 16-9

Team Record - 5-4-0

Coventry Park - Hey there, sports enthusiasts! Buckle up because it’s game time! The Hurtin' Units took on the Diamond Kings on a beautiful day, and let's just say it was a day to remember! Following a tough loss against the Dogcatchers, we stepped onto the field ready to prove that we’re not just another team; we’re a force of nature!

With the Kings sitting in fourth place and boasting a 5-3-0 record, we knew we were in for a thrilling challenge. Their lineup featured some serious talent, including Lukas Rusak, Cambo Clark, and Darren Ford. And with three former Hurtin' Units players making their mark on the Kings – Cam Clark, Russell Mabee, and Brad Moye – the stakes just got higher! But we were ready to show that the heart and passion of the Units could outshine any former player’s stats!

One of the most exciting aspects of this game was the weather. After enduring a rain-soaked showdown last week, we were blessed with a perfect sunny day, temperatures in the mid-20s, and an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm. There’s something about perfect weather that just amplifies our team spirit and energizes us to do our best!

As we took our positions on the diamond, we sent a loving shout-out to our missing players: Marco on his season-long break, John juggling work commitments, Andrew battling illness, and adventurous Dave D. exploring the great outdoors. To keep our momentum going, we brought on substitutes Simon Smith, who’s become a reliable ally, and Shama S. Their enthusiasm added to our already electric vibes! Our scorekeeper, Sandra D. (not the “Grease” star, but certainly a superstar in her own right), made sure every play was noted on the scoresheet, while our umpire kept the game flowing smoothly.

The game kicked off at 9:20 PM, full of energy and excitement. Right from the first inning, the game was tightly contested – both teams sent seven batters to the plate, and we finished the inning tied at 2 runs each. A shout-out to Lorne for leading off and putting the ball in play to the pitcher, followed by Corey, who launched an incredible in-the-park home run! Our momentum was building, and it felt like a confident Units squad was emerging on the field.

The second inning ended quickly for both teams, as the Kings went down with a swift three outs. We rallied back but were equally put down as the Kings’ defense rose to the challenge. Heading into the third inning, we kept our focus and showed our grit. We held the Kings to another trio of outs, thanks to our impressive defense, and then capitalized on our turn at bat. With Corey, Mike, and Peter bringing in key runs, we extended our lead to 5-2.

The action kicked off in the top of the fourth inning as Cam led off with a clean single, followed closely by Brad’s own single. Building on this momentum, the Kings managed to bring both players home with a combination of base hits and smart fielder's choices from the next four batters in line. Although the Kings found themselves down, they didn’t go down without a fight. The bottom half of the inning saw Simon, a substitute, get out initially, but Sharma soon ignited the rally with a solid single. With Lorne getting on base as well, the Units were once again poised to score. Corey, despite flying out, still contributed, allowing Mike C and Peter to come around and score thanks to key hits from Kevin and Franco.

As the game progressed into the fifth inning, the Hurtin' Units defense shone brilliantly. Despite the batting prowess of the Diamond Kings, the Units proved their mettle. Rick, a substitute for the Kings, started off with a double, but Darren and V could not capitalize on the momentum. Lucas then stepped up, absolutely crushing a ball down the left field line for a superb triple. Cam delivered a single, bringing Lucas home before he was caught at second base in a fielder's choice. In stark contrast, the Hurtin' Units’ bats exploded in the bottom of the fifth, with 9 batters stepping up to the plate and 7 crossing home plate—a testament to teamwork, as the only out came from Corey’s unfortunate fielder’s choice at second. The scoreboard after five innings read Units 16, Kings 6.

The Diamond Kings made a spirited attempt at a comeback in the top of the sixth inning, with Dave and Russ making their way home, but the Units' defense remained resolute in holding the Kings to just two runs. In the bottom of the sixth, the Units' bottom order came alive, with Keith smashing a double to right-center field and Jimmer and Simon both adding singles. Sadly for the Units, Sharma’s ill-timed ground ball resulted in an inning-ending double play, leaving fans anxious as the seventh inning approached.

In the top of the seventh, Lucas lit the spark by launching an in-the-park home run, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Followed closely by Cam's dependable single, the Kings aimed to turn the tide. However, after a series of outs, Dave’s fielder’s choice sealed the fate of the game, and as the dust settled, the scoreboard confirmed the final score: Hurtin' Units 16, Diamond Kings 9.

Notable performances shone throughout the match. Corey not only hammered an in-the-park homerun but also made crucial plays in the field. The fifth inning featured spectacular defensive efforts, with Simon, Franco, and Mike C all making extraordinary catches to thwart potential runs. Offensively, Mike C, Jimmer, Franco, and Peter achieved a remarkable feat of going 4 for 4, with Mike scoring an impressive four times.

The victory, filled with stunning highlights and memorable moments, underscores the tenacity of the Hurtin' Units as they look ahead to future challenges in the league. It's clear that this game will be a talking point for fans and players alike, embodying the spirit of competitive baseball.

The Hurtin' Units next game is June 30^th vs. The Gamblers.