Softball+06-23-2013

=Chalices Burn Bright, Defeat HUMC, 10-2=

The Flaming Chalices earned their first win of the year, in convincing fashion, overpowering Hillsborough United Methodist by a score of 10-2. All of our scoring occurred in 2 innings, when we reached the maximum 5 runs in each. In fact, all 12 of our hits came in those same 2 innings. As a result, we finished the game with 12 hits and 10 runs, and no runners left on base. Exceptional scoring efficiency.

We started off the game with 3 straight hits from OF Nick Bailey, SS Sara McCaw and OF Matt Nelson. A fielder's choice ground out by 3B Pete Siragusa was followed by 4 more singles, from Mark Bruhn, 2B Julie Tucker, 1B Jim Morris and OF Mark Smith. The final hit from Mark drove in Julie from 2nd base for our 5th and final run. Our bats were quiet for next 2 innings until the 4th, when Nils Brubaker and P Jeff Nelson led off with singles. Nils went 1st to 3rd on Jeff's hit to left field, and Jeff took 2nd on the throw to 3rd. Nick grounded a ball to the 3rd baseman, who for some reason threw to 2nd base, although there was no play there. The throw went into the outfield, allowing both Nils and Jeff to score, while Nick reached 2nd base. Sara followed with a line drive to left that was dropped by the left fielder. Nick scored on the play and Sara took 2nd. Matt followed with single to left that scored Sara. Five batters so far, and 4 runs, with no outs. Pete singled up the middle, pushing Matt to 2nd, still with no outs. The next 2 batters popped up and grounded into a fielder's choice, so we still had runners at 1st and 2nd, but now 2 outs. Jim Morris delivered a clutch line drive double down the left field line that finally drove in Pete for our 5th and final run of the frame.

For the game, Matt and Jim led the team with 2 hits each. Nick, Sara, Pete each scored 2 runs, and 4 other players scored runs, as well, to reach our total of 10 runs. Our RBI leader was Julie, with 2, while 6 other players had 1 RBI. Good things happen when a lot of players contribute to the offense: each hit builds upon the previous one, and you can score lots of runs without hitting any long balls.

Meanwhile, HUMC had a few big hitters, but most of their lineup appeared less formidable. We were fortunate not to get damaged by their better hitters, as our defense did a good job on all the routine plays, and they didn't hit any long balls against us. Matt made a particularly good catch of line drive headed into the left-center gap. Otherwise, they hit more routine popups, fly balls and ground balls. Many of the Hillsborough hitters could not get the ball past the pitcher: Jeff threw out 5 batters from the pitcher position, and Mark Bruhn threw out 4 more batters in just 2 innings as relief pitcher. Those 9 plays represented all of our infield assists, except for one by Sara McCaw. Besides Matt's catch in the outfield, we caught 2 other fly balls. No balls were hit past us in the outfield. Good job containing the HUMC offense.

The game ended after 6 innings because of the 90 minute rule. We had a great turnout: 16 players, including 2 brand new members of the Flaming Chalices: Caroline Sherman and her daughter Margot. Welcome to the team, Caroline and Margot!