We came to play...and we did. We came to win...and we did.

Today's game was by far the best defensive exhibition to date with awesome play by Matt in the outfield, outstanding play by Jose at shortstop, and creative play by Mark wherever he was. Matt was the unanimous choice for Turkey of The Week with his teammates for his multiple (was it 3?) diving catches in the outfield after long runs to get there. Just like out of a Major League Baseball game. Jose, who had arguably the best defensive game of the season outside Matt's play would have clearly been Turkey of the Week...had Matt not made is mark in the field. However, it was a little shaky for Matt in the early innings with a couple bobbles, including one that bounced off his outstretched glove and into his Adam's apple...ouch! For his part, Mark was enjoying his time playing against a team of many friends...even taunting one to go ahead and run for home. Just moments before the pitch several teammates heard Mark tell his friend Eric from the other team that he (Mark) was going to get the next ball hit and then run Eric down for a tag out. Dogoneit if a moment later Mark found himself in possession of the ball with Eric rounding third. Eric stopped his run to hold at third...only to be unwisely tempted to run home after Mark turned his back. Oh poor Eric...Mark was way to ready for it having purposely turned his back. In a flash the race was on...but not much of a race as Eric was caught flat footed and wondering why he rose to the bait. Easy out. To add insult to injury this occurred in the same inning that Matt made one of his fantastic plays in left field. Poor Bruisers didn't know what hit them.

The following is what Sam has to say about Turkey of the Week

"Upon further reflection and review of the scoresheets, I've decided that Matt and Jose both deserve full-fledged Turkey of the Week awards (i.e., not just co-Turkey awards, which would imply only a half share each). Matt's plays were spectacular. Jose's were multitudinous. In the five innings Jose played, he participated in 10 of our 15 outs; in the two innings when he was sitting out, the Bruisers scored 10 of their 13 runs. In this game, Jose was our rock, and Matt was our savior. These were the two most deserving Turkey of the Week performances of our whole season."

So for this week we will have dual Turkeys of the Week! Great job to both of them.

All the other Turkeys played great defense. For the most part and error free game with Meera not being distracted by a stumbling Sam to stop the grounder to her and make the easy play to first for the out. Jon was actively backing up every hit to the infield and making some saves as a result. Joe played solid in the outfield but ended up leaving early. Mike played catcher like a pro baller, running down the first base line to back up the throws made by the infield to the first baseman...see...catcher doesn't have to be a boring position! Rich and Bill played solid on the hot corner at third...some got by, but by and large they were way hot hits. Katie was back with the team playing better than solid in short field...making a valiant attempt on a fly ball perhaps encouraged by Matt's feats in the field behind her. Judy rotated into short field and pestered the opponents with her acerbic wit...giving Dave Scaff a hard time for being so choosy about his pitches and maybe even rattling him into easy throw-outs. Hannah and Nancy shared second and were both flawless, with Debbie making some difficult stops in picking the ball out from the sun as the throws came into her glove at first.

Gerardo was conspiciously absent...having chosen instead to attend a function wherein he was receiving a scholarship award for college. He will be graduating this year with an outstanding GPA (currently still classified).

To add further to this good feeling, Hannah has brought new blood to the team in the form of her summer intern. We were cheered on today by Ashley who joins us from the University of Michigan and who will be at JPL during the summer. She had just arrived last night and had not brought any equipment for today's game...but she will next week! Ashley has played softball before, but not recently. Well, do we care? No. All that matters is that she be able to have fun with us! Being a capable addition to the team is secondary. So, welcome Ashley!

Ten of us gathered at the Round Table Pizza and celebrated our victory...only the second this season. There were many stories retold of the glory that had just unfolded on the field of play. Pizza, soda, beer and bragging. Check out the pictures taken during the game. Mark, Sam, Mike, and Jack were the last out of the restaurant at evenings close.

Here's the line score for the game: