Our team played a well balanced game. Both defense and offense were clicking. The game was a see-saw affair that saw us jump out to the early lead only to see it eaten away. In the middle innings we each would score in the back and forth effort. By the bottom of the sixth we were they were ahead. Our bats put us over the top in the seventh at which point we were required to hold them to two runs. A scary assignment as they normally would score two runs in an inning. But a beautiful stab of a liner by Nancy at second base for the first out and then the throw to first in the attempt to catch the runner off was nearly all that was required. In that play the sliding runner collided with Mark. Legs were engangled. Mark yelled "ouch"...the other player hurt his ankle and ended up going to the emergency care. Hannah, who drove their injured player to the hospital, reports that his ankle was indeed broken! Mark got the better end of the deal! The next batter hit to Mark who played it to second to get the lead runner...only to find out that it not only represented the second out...but the third and game winning out as well...the next batter was the "phantom female out" required by the C-league rules. Their lack of women in the batting order bit them big time. On that rather un-dramatic note the game was over!

The game saw some great play. Again Justine was having none of that playing at the cones stuff...she clobbered another one clean over their heads just as in last week's game. We witnessed some of Rich's best running...speed not seen in several years. Once again Jon smacked the ball pretty hard a couple times. Chris' defense sparkled. Nancy making that great stab...and hitting hard. Hannah banged it out of the infield. Mark hit twice to the edge of the field. Jose was strong at shortstop. Ashley...is there anything she can't do? Hits, runs, and is first string third baseman. Gerardo his usual strong hitting and fielding. Russ, pitched and doubled...he can even run with all that leg-iron on. Katie playing like a champion, not always making base, but advancing runners and getting RBIs. Phil, still quiet, but hitting and fielding...did anyone notice the cricket style barehanded catch off the one-bouncer in center field? And Bill also making his quiet contribution. What about Sam? He hits...he runs...he catches. And not once was he seen flailing on the ground or throwing to the wrong teammate!

All in all a satisfying game. As this season winds down we will have to play even harder since we no longer have Melissa, and Ashley and Justine are only with us one and two weeks respectively.