Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Some Consolation: Bullets Battle Past Newsweek/Daily Beast

Both the DC Bullets and Newsweek/Daily Beast dropped their first round games during the New York Media Softball League playoffs on Saturday. I like to think that with a better hop here or there, either team could easily have been in the championship game. The Bullets lost by a mere 13 runs, and NDB only a dozen.

So in the Loser's Game - sorry, the "consolation" game - both DC and NDB opted to have some fun. In the end, the Bullets held on for an 8-5 victory.

NDB struck quickly, scoring a run in the top of the first. Just one. Not ten. The Bullets responded. After Christine Napolitano fouled out, Pat Brosseau, John Choi and Mike Lorah singled in sequence to load the bases. Vince Letterio's fielder's choice erased John, but scored Pat to tie the game, and both Mike and Vince moved into scoring position on an errant throw. Joel Press capitalized, driving home both runs with an RBI single to left, giving DC an early lead which they'd hold onto.

Jerry Cerza and Larry Ganem singled with one away in the second, but both were left stranded. DC, however, added to their lead in the third: CNap singled, was forced at second on Pat's grounder. John doubled to score Pat, but had to hold at second on Mike's infield single. Both runners scored on Vince's triple to left field, and a fourth run scored on Joel's single.

After a scoreless fourth by both teams, NDB answered DC's four-run third with four runs of their own, making the game a two-run affair. DC came up empty in their half of the fifth, but held NDB scoreless in the sixth. Singles by Vince, Joel, a fielder's choice by Allison Dugas, and a base hit by Brian Cunningham added one more run to DC's tally. Larry Ganem held Newsweek/Daily Beast scoreless one more time in the seventh, and DC won the consolation game for the third straight year.

Defensive highlights included a John to Mike to Blake relay to cut down a run at the plate, a pair of backhand pick-ups by Brian at second base, and a nice running catch from Vince in left. Jay couldn't stay for this game, Laura left partway through, and Jerry departed with an injured thumb (hope you're feeling better!), but the remaining Bullets picked up the slack, stepped into unfamiliar positions and held their ground.

The Bullets finish 15-10 overall, including 6-4 NYMSL regular season and 1-1 NYMSL playoffs.
Oh, but wait, there's one more game to go! Yes, this Friday, DC Comics vs. Archie Comics. Rained out earlier this summer, we're gonna make this one up. Last chance for softball, so you all better be there.

Bullet Box:
RF Christine Napolitano - 2-3
RCF/1B Pat Brosseau - 1-3, 2 R
LCF John Choi - 3-3, R, RBI, double
SS/3B Mike Lorah - 2-3, 2 R
LF Vince Letterio - 2-3, R, 2 RBI, triple
3B/SS Joel Press - 3-3, R, RBI
C Allison Dugas - 0-3
2B/1B Brian Cunningham - 2-3, RBI
1B Jerry Cerza - 1-2
P Larry Ganem - 1-3
1B Laura Demoreuille - 0-1
C/2B Blake Kobashigawa - 0-3

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