 |
| Iain flashes the leather |
The final week of the Gotham City regular season brought us to Heckscher Field for a grueling 4-game double bill. Fortunately it was not too hot and a bit overcast in the city, so the heat was not really a factor. We were up against two good, playoff-contending outfits. After the usual delays, it was time to play ball.
 |
| Schlink Went Yard X 2 |
For Game 1 of the two-game set vs I'd Hit That, we were the away team and came to bat first. We scored 2 quick runs in the 1st, Wink and Jane each had RBI singles. But IHT would counter with 2 runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. We then put up 3 in the top of the 2nd. This time it was Margaret, Iain, and Dave with RBI singles. IHT scored one in the bottom of the 2nd, and now we were up 5-3 and took complete control of the game. Our defense was solid across the board, and IHT would only score one more run the whole game. Meanwhile, we poured it on with Dave going yard twice, both majestic 3-run bombs. The game ended on a razzle-dazzle 6-4-3 double play. Final Score: Hounds 12, I'd Hit That 4.
Game 2 was a much tighter affair. Cap saw no need to change the formula, and Margaret got the call again. With the long day ahead of us, it made the most sense to leave our efficient ace out there for the whole afternoon. She rewarded his faith in her by getting us out of innings having thrown 5 pitches or less. Our defense continued to put on a clinic as we frustrated the heck out of IHT's batters. Let's give them credit too though, for they pretty much shut down the potent Hounds offense as well. RBIs from Push, Wink, and Alex is all we would get as the game was tied 3-3 entering the top of the final inning. IHT mustered a threat that was quickly squelched by a 5-5-3 double play. We had the top of the order coming up in the bottom of the inning, and felt very good that this one wouldn't be going to extras. After a pop out, JT came up to bat and smoked a single to left. Another fly out made it two outs and JT still on 1st. Then IHT's pitcher made a very curious decision. With Iain on deck, he decided to issue an intentional walk to Dave. This is not a knock against the big fella at all, but why put the winning run in scoring position so that now a single can beat you? It didn't make a lot of sense. I guess they were too traumatized by the damage Dave had done in the 1st game. But let's give credit to Dave for recognizing the situation and checking his usual desire to go up there and hack. Sure enough, Iain then came up and stroked a single to right-center. The outfielder fielded the ball cleanly and came up throwing. JT's all-out hustle as he rounded 3rd base made what could have been a close play into a non-issue as he touched home plate way before the throw arrived. The dugout exploded in celebration. Final Score: Hounds 4, I'd Hit That 3.
 |
| No Fly Ball was safe from JT |
 |
| Jay B's bat was on fire |
Game 3 was actually the continuation of our interrupted game from last week against Thuggz & Juggz. We entered play down by two runs but with plenty of confidence that we could overcome the deficit. T & J was held scoreless by Margaret in the 1st, and we stormed ahead with 4 runs in the 1st– Cap, Iain, Dave, and Cindy with RBIs. We were now up by 2, but T & J grabbed the lead back with 3 runs in the 3rd, a clean home run doing the big damage. It was a hard fought encounter and as they did last week, things began to get testy. I feel bad for T & J's manager, because he is a decent guy, but he was having a hard time controlling some of his players' behavior as their unsportsmanlike tendencies began to rise to the surface. In the bottom of the 4th, we took the lead back on RBI's from Jay B. and C-Rod. Margaret was masterful and T & J would only score one more run against her. Let's give them credit for having some good hitters, even all of their females were making solid contact. But we continued to put on a defensive show, as we seemed to get more and more in the zone as the afternoon progressed. Meanwhile, we added 4 insurance runs on RBIs from Cap, Iain(2), and Jay B. Margaret closed them out with an easy top of the 6th. Final Score: Hounds 23, T & J 19.
 |
| Margaret was dominant |
Game 4 was the culmination of many different factors: Our desire to get off the field to get on with our day and avoid the showers that were now threatening the park, our annoyance with some of their players for displaying unsportsmanlike behavior at our females no less, and the complete meltdown of their starting pitcher. He issued us walk after walk to start the game, and we were more than happy to take them. Truthfully, we mostly scored on double walks, sac flies, and fielder's choice, although Jay B did get yet another 2-RBI hit. Margaret and our defense were dominant, and as cocky as it sounds, we were focused like a laser beam on two things: win by mercy rule and a shutout for Margaret. T & J changed their pitcher but by that time it was way past too late. Things got a little ugly and there was a lot of yapping on both sides, but fortunately the umpiring crew took control of the situation and warnings were issued. In the end we were able to achieve both of our goals and it felt so sinfully good. Final Score: Hounds 11, T & J 0 (mercy).
For the first time in Hounds history, we have finished the Gotham City regular season undefeated. That is quite an accomplishment when you consider that many of us were in and out all summer, and we had a different cast of characters out there every weekend. It just goes to show that we have tremendous depth on this team. We have to be one of the top one or two teams in the standings, but I am not sure if there will be a bye this season. It has been a season full of surprises so we should expect the unexpected. Updates as soon as they are available.
