Patrick's Post Game Wrap - July 30th, 2008
Game Summary
Patrick’s Softball continued their highly successful post-season run
this Wednesday night when they avenged two earlier season losses to the BP
Cleveland team by eliminating them from the tournament in an 8-2
Patrick’s Victory. The win
placed Patrick’s at the top of their respective league, leaving only two
unbeaten teams left in the tournament, Patrick’s and Tader’s.
The game with Tader’s
was played immediately following the first game and also proved to be
competitive. Patrick’s
entered the seventh inning down by five runs and with two outs, proceeded
to load the bases. With Bill
Arthur representing the tying run on first, Rob “the Rocketman” Moline
delivered a sharp single that got past the outfielder, scoring three and
tying the game at thirteen. However,
in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and a runner on third,
Tader’s produced a hit that scored the winning run and handed
Patrick’s their first defeat of the tournament.
Rocketman once again rose
to the occasion this post season, delivering three hits and a walk on the
night and was observed bouncing around the field like a kid who just saw
his first Playboy centerfold. Rocket’s
ridiculously upbeat attitude and zest for life are a big reason why he has
consistently been featured in the PGW (although this issue was the first
time it was for entirely positive reasons).
In fact, as the team’s
play continues to peak it has become increasingly difficult to throw
anyone under the bus so this weak I thought I would just keep it all
positive and not criticize anyone’s play
. . . yeah
right.
Patrick’s defense
Wednesday night was stifling and as the opponents struggled to score runs,
they began to search for a weak point in the defense.
Noticing that a sharp single got past Tony Abrahamson in right-center
field, Tader’s decided to test him by hitting a line shot his way.
Not wanting to miss this one, Tony took a couple steps in to get a
better look and was able to get a clear view of the ball as it went
rifling over his head and to the fence.
Another instance where the opponents were able to identify a potential “weak spot” came when a ground ball was hit to first baseman Eric Madsen who fielded the ball and looked to flip it to pitcher Gary Schmiesing who was covering first. While Schmiesing did eventually make it there to cover first base (some time after the runner), it was clear that he would not be qualifying as an Olympic sprinter any time soon. Umpire Keith Hanson, who had been pulling out obscure rules all evening, would have called a “delay of game” penalty on Schmiesing had he been able to find it in the rule book. However, the opposition thought better of trying to exploit this when several of their base runners were startled to see catcher Chaun Cox pass them on the way to first base.
Injury Report
It has been a relatively injury free season considering the advanced age
and complete lack of conditioning and athleticism for some of us.
However, there are a few injuries to report for next week.
Tom Lippert – Questionable – Sprained Ankle
Ben Hawkins – Day-to-Day – Bronchitis
Key Stat
Patrick’s
has now failed to record a single extra base hit in four out of their last
five games.