Missing these vital cogs in the softball machine, TRx had to start the game with only three outfielders, and this led to problems early. After Bob made a solid acrobatic catch on a ball hit right to him in center, Old Demps just missed a catch in right that would have ended the inning. It appeared that he underestimated his own track star speed, as he slightly overran the ball. If only he had a cigarette in his mouth- it could have slowed him just enough to make the play. Yet TRx was able to limit the damage, as the Wild Felines could only manage two runs.
TRx answered back in the bottom of the first, as the sight of Aaron on the horizon eased everybody's nerves. Demps quickly redeemed himself with a base hit, and GLG followed up with a double. KB then did the noble thing, sacrificing himself for the good of the team, and TRx tied up the game on an RBI base hit by Terry.
The Undomesticated Gatitos got two more in the top of the second, as Josh paid homage to Berardi on a line drive to left that got under his glove. Unlike Berardi, Josh didn't just lay there afterwards, and instead quickly got the ball and fired it in to limit the damage. The defense solidified after that, allowing no more runs for the rest of the game, aided by the opposing team having the two most unathletic "athletic"-looking guys on their team in all of Horsham.
TRx tried to chip away for the rest of the game, with limited success. GLG, attempting to go for another "Oppo Boppo" instead hit a week pop-up to the right side between the pitcher and first baseman. The ump was so flabbergasted that he didn't even call an infield fly, and somehow GLG managed to advance the runners, although he was out at first. During pregame warmups Christin and Gabriela took batting practice, which paid dividends during the game, as both reached base. Josh just missed a home-run that was inches foul. Yet TRx could not get in another run until KB managed to reach on an error that allowed GLG to score and cut the lead to 4-3, although GLG's reaching third base was in question.
With Dempsey trying to both keep the book, and coach third, he yelled to Greg that he could slow down and not slide, despite the ball being already in the air towards third. Luckily, GLG made it, and even more luckily, TO then limped towards the field from the parking lot, to take over the book, so Dempsey could get back to only concentrating on one thing at a time (it's still unknown what that one thing is).
The defense came up big one more time in the sixth inning. Terry attempted the always dangerous intentional unintentional walk to one of their power hitters, yet this guy was having none of it, as he called a strike on himself instead of taking the walk. He ended up reaching anyway. The next batter hit a swirling pop up to Brian at third. With a heads-up move, Brian bobbled the ball at first to make it appear that he would drop it. This drew the runner off the bag at first, and Brian tried to fired in behind him. Unfortunately, the runner used his soccer skills to kick the ball away, prevent the double play and allowing him to reach second (with soccer skills like that the US Men's team could have used him in the Gold Cup final). The next batter got a single to put runners on the corners with one out. As TRx moved to double play depth (is there any other kind?), Terry induced the necessary ground ball. However, it was to the right of GLG, making a double play unlikely. Somehow, GLG fielded the ball while running towards third, managed to stop the momentum of his bulbous head, turn around, run (if you could call it that) all the way to second, and fire to first for an inning-ending double play as the crowd went wild.
TRx entered the bottom of the seventh still trailing 4-3. On the bench, Dempsey got to his knees (which somehow actually made him look taller) and began to pray, starting with the title of Uncle NayNay's book, "Dear God." At that very moment, actual deer appeared in right field. Despite being a supposed hunter, this was the closest Greg had ever gotten to a deer.
It was as if it was a sign... Aaron quickly got a hit to the right side, and aggressively took second. Josh, with heavy matters weighing on his mind, just missed a HR that could have ended the game. Old Demps, still giddy over the dear sighting then singled up the middle, putting runners on the corners. GLG tried for his first deer kill, attempting to go the other way once again, but the ball soared into the woods, and GLG still hasn't popped his dear-killing cherry. He took the opposite approach on his next swing, pulling the ball to left, and tying up the game. Sensing a special moment, KB took off his glasses as he approached the plate. The Feral Cats were all of the sudden transformed into Domesticated Pussies, and quickly changed strategy, bringing the first baseman in to catch, and opting not to go with the intentional walk to make it a force at home. KB then calmly singled through the left side and the game was won!
TRx had completed Double D's favorite saying, and took it in the bottom! And it was gooood... real good. So good that the celebration went on all night long. The celebrants ended up getting kicked out of multiple bars as their cheers of "We Take It In The Bottom" and "All Night Long" started to run together, much to the chagrin of the other patrons at each bar. However, they did manage to run up quite the bar tab...
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| So nice of TRx to pick up the tab... |
As the victory celebration went on into the next morning, a bit of sad news came reached the team, as Trucker Josh put in his two weeks notice. Apparently getting an All-Star berth has inspired him to see more of the world and leave behind the team that made him into who he is as a softball player, and quite frankly, as a man. Rumors about as to where he will be heading abound. Will he be returning to the Ice Road for the next season of Ice Road Truckers? Will he be trying to complete his dream of becoming a professional softball player? Will his band Oso be going on tour, as he drives the band with his classic party beats? Wherever it is, his teammates reacted like this guy to Ned's death on Game of Thrones upon hearing the news.
With the next game two weeks away (yet again), we may have seen the last of our star left fielder. However, Demps has a plan, though it will require him to be missing in action for the next game, as he is journeying to Ireland to kiss the Blarney Stone (while he is Blarney stoned) and make a wish that Josh continues to come to games. Knowing how well his plans usually turn out, things could get interesting...
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| Smooth Old Demps... |
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