On Tuesday, 8/16 TRx took on Reed in first round softball playoff action. This would be their first playoff game since the olden days of 2007, a time when Berardi had not yet disappeared off the face of the earth (smart money has him in jail), as TRx continues to seek that elusive first softball championship. What would be the payoff to this long playoff layoff?
The nervousness was palpable for Old Demps heading into the game. Moreso due to the plethora of players taking part in Target R's last regular season volleyball game than actually caring about the softball team. Said volleyball game unfortunately also prevented a pregame happy hour from occuring, to ease the nerves amongst the team. Luckily, Terry, KB, Aaron, GLG, Brian, Christin, and Gabriela all showed up with minutes to spare but barely any time to warm up, which almost came back to haunt them on a number of plays.
As the home team, TRx was in the field first. Terry was finally back, amid rumors that had been abroad (but not a broad, and certainly not like the little round headed buffoon Karl Pilkington aka An Idiot Abroad) learning of a new pitch added to his arsenal- the mysterious gyroball that Dice-K was supposed to have. Even Josh made his TRx return, as global warming has really dampened the demand for Ice Road Truckers these days. In what would be the start of a long day on defense, GLG bounced the first grounder to him to KB, who was unable to make the scoop. This proved costly, as the runner eventually came around to score, but TRx escaped the inning with only the one run of damage, as Bob made a solid play at second to get the third out.
On offense in the bottom of the first, TRx caught some two-out lightning, as GLG came through with a homerun to tie it up. KB and Terry then both followed with base hits. Knowing that Terry was behind him, and not wanting to be yelled at, KB even went first to third on Terry's hit (and did the same later in the game). Christin then followed it up with a solid line drive down the third base line enabling TRx to take a 3-1 lead which they would never relinquish.
The nervousness was palpable for Old Demps heading into the game. Moreso due to the plethora of players taking part in Target R's last regular season volleyball game than actually caring about the softball team. Said volleyball game unfortunately also prevented a pregame happy hour from occuring, to ease the nerves amongst the team. Luckily, Terry, KB, Aaron, GLG, Brian, Christin, and Gabriela all showed up with minutes to spare but barely any time to warm up, which almost came back to haunt them on a number of plays.
Reed entered the game with a 7-3-2 record, but posted a solid 5-1-2 record to close the season after their previous matchup with TRx- a 16-2 shellacking. Granted, three of those victories were by forfeit, but given their unsuccessful playoff history, TRx was not taking Reed lightly. Although the same can't be said for Reed, who showed up with only nine players, and only one female- the Reed pitcher. Obviously they don't subsribe the the Lil Wayne theory of co-ed softball- "don't like my women single, I like my chicks in twos." Given the automatic out that came with Reed only having one girl and only three outfielders, TRx liked their chances.
After monsoon-like conditions earlier in the week, a muddy field proved to make this game difficult, as the balls were slippery, the grass on the field (if it's there, play ball) was sopping, and their were puddles all over the place. In other words, it was like a wild night of passion at KB's place...  |
| Katrina, or the remnants of KB's wild night of passion? |
As the home team, TRx was in the field first. Terry was finally back, amid rumors that had been abroad (but not a broad, and certainly not like the little round headed buffoon Karl Pilkington aka An Idiot Abroad) learning of a new pitch added to his arsenal- the mysterious gyroball that Dice-K was supposed to have. Even Josh made his TRx return, as global warming has really dampened the demand for Ice Road Truckers these days. In what would be the start of a long day on defense, GLG bounced the first grounder to him to KB, who was unable to make the scoop. This proved costly, as the runner eventually came around to score, but TRx escaped the inning with only the one run of damage, as Bob made a solid play at second to get the third out.
On offense in the bottom of the first, TRx caught some two-out lightning, as GLG came through with a homerun to tie it up. KB and Terry then both followed with base hits. Knowing that Terry was behind him, and not wanting to be yelled at, KB even went first to third on Terry's hit (and did the same later in the game). Christin then followed it up with a solid line drive down the third base line enabling TRx to take a 3-1 lead which they would never relinquish.
Back in the field, the defensive shenanigans continued. Brian threw a bounce pass to KB at first to get one out, and see if there was any interest in resurrecting the TRx basketball team as well. GLG threw another throw wide on an attempted double play, in the process throwing out his arm. Josh and MC Gold just missed two diving catches in the outfield. Terry had two over-the-shoulder catches, nearly colliding with Bob on each of them. Yet the bend-don't-break defense was holding up, as TRx still led 3-2.
Finally, in the fifth inning the TRx bats came alive again, as nearly everyone reached base. Gabriela perfected her strategy of trying to hit it to the pitcher, figuring that the female pitcher would blow it (the throw, that is), which she promptly did. Christin picked up yet another RBI after KB went first to third on Terry's base hit for the second time in the game. TRx ended up putting up 8 more runs, taking a commanding 11-2 lead and nearly 10-running Reed.
With these insurance runs, TRx started to loosen up in the field. On the walk back out to the field for the top of the sixth, Christin fired the ball at KB's head as he mossied over to first, nearly decapitating him. Later, with runners on base there was a near play at the plate. However, despite Christin's pleas to throw the ball home, KB just ran the runner back to third. On the next play, with an automatic out coming up due to the one girl on Reed, mayhem ensued on the base paths, as even though Christin had the ball, the runner on third still tried to score. Luckily, it wasn't Blin (or Josh), as there was the potential for another trucking. But Christin smacked the tag on the guy while apologizing for doing it so hard for the third out. Upon seeing such a heads up play, KB ran to home and he and Christin embraced, burying the hatchet from her near assault on him earlier in the inning.
Finally, in the fifth inning the TRx bats came alive again, as nearly everyone reached base. Gabriela perfected her strategy of trying to hit it to the pitcher, figuring that the female pitcher would blow it (the throw, that is), which she promptly did. Christin picked up yet another RBI after KB went first to third on Terry's base hit for the second time in the game. TRx ended up putting up 8 more runs, taking a commanding 11-2 lead and nearly 10-running Reed.
With these insurance runs, TRx started to loosen up in the field. On the walk back out to the field for the top of the sixth, Christin fired the ball at KB's head as he mossied over to first, nearly decapitating him. Later, with runners on base there was a near play at the plate. However, despite Christin's pleas to throw the ball home, KB just ran the runner back to third. On the next play, with an automatic out coming up due to the one girl on Reed, mayhem ensued on the base paths, as even though Christin had the ball, the runner on third still tried to score. Luckily, it wasn't Blin (or Josh), as there was the potential for another trucking. But Christin smacked the tag on the guy while apologizing for doing it so hard for the third out. Upon seeing such a heads up play, KB ran to home and he and Christin embraced, burying the hatchet from her near assault on him earlier in the inning.
In the final inning, Reed managed to get a few runs in, threatening an amazing comeback. The key play was a pop up to the right side of the field. Given that it was more than five feet away, KB refused to move for it, Terry and Bob both feared another near collision, and GLG didn't move as he cried about his arm, as the ball landed in the infield.
Luckily, TRx escaped with a 11-6 victory, as the playoff curse was over! However, the celebration was muted, as no one agreed to go to happy hour after the game, all already looking ahead. TRx's next playoff game is Tuesday (8/22) against their archrival Kellogg, as Krysta will once again try to Shiv her former teammates in the back, with the winner advancing to the championship. Will the 6:30 start time lead to half the team showing up drunk, and will this actually help them? Let's hope so...
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