Fantastic! Early Lead Holds Up, as Bullets Top Scientific American

Shaking off the disappointment of their three-game losing streak, the DC Bullets started a new winning streak Thursday evening, making it two in a row as they bested Scientific American 11-5 on North Meadow #2. Jumping out to an 8-0 lead after three innings, the Bullets survived a late rally to close out the victory. Of the thirteen Bullet players, seven different batters drove in at least one run, and seven different batters scored at least one.

After retiring SciAm in the first, the Bullets grabbed a quick lead with Vince Letterio - who rotated among all four outfield spots during the game - yanking a groundball down the third base line. A misplay in the corner enabled Vince to leg out a leadoff triple, and Mike Lorah followed by hitting a ball in nearly the exact same spot for an RBI double. After Andrew Arnold flew out to left, Kevin Schwoer drove Mike home with a base hit to center. Nel Yomtov and Sal Cipriano flew out, but the Bullet defense and pitcher Pat Brossoh - undefeated as a starter in 2012 - shut down the opposition in the second to maintain the two-run edge.

After Christine Napolitano lined out to start the bottom of the second, Pat, Laura Demoreuille and Neil Hiremath singled in sequence to add a run. Allison Dugas-Behan's fielder's choice and Dan Bertoldi's groundout ended the frame.

With the defense continuing to hold down Scientific American's hitters - the third through fifth also passed without SciAm scoring, in part due to Andrew's ridiculous range in left field and CNap and Laura sticking SciAm's lefty leadoff hitter with a hitless afternoon - the Bullets finally broke the game open in the third.

After Danielle Yannetta's pop up, Vince singled and sprinted around to third on Mike's base hit. Andrew's fielder's choice scored Vince, and Kevin singled. Back-to-back doubles by Nel and Sal plated three more runs. CNap and Pat closed out the five run outburst with successive singles to drive Sal home.

In the fourth, Neil's lead off single was wasted, but DC added two runs in the fifth when Mike and Andrew picked up one-out singles, moved into scoring position on Kevin's chopper to the mound, and scored on Nel's line drive to centerfield.

Top six, Scientific American finally broke through with a three-run rally. Pat doubled with one out in the bottom half, moved up on a ground out, and then scored when Neil outran a routine groundball to shortstop. After SciAm went scoreless in the seventh, both teams agreed to an extra inning - thirteen minutes still remained on the permit; see what happens when both teams are on time and we forego batting practice!

The Bullets went quickly, with only Danielle reaching on an infield single, and Scientific American added two more runs in the top of the eighth to wrap up the game.

With the win, the Bullets climb to 9-4 (2-2 NYMSL). Tomorrow morning, North Meadow #7, 11am, Wall St. Journal hosts the Bullets in a big New York Media Softball League showdown. It's ON!

Bullet Box:
OF Vince Letterio - 2-4, 2 R, triple
3B Mike Lorah - 3-4, 2 R, RBI, double
LF/1B/SS Andrew Arnold - 1-3, 3 R, RBI
RCF Kevin Schwoer - 2-3, R, RBI
SS/LF Nel Yomtov - 2-3, R, 3 RBI, double
DH Sal Cipriano - 1-3, R, 2 RBI, double
2B Christine Napolitano - 1-3
P Pat Brosseau - 3-3, 2 R, RBI, double
1B Laura Demoreuille - 1-3
LCF Neil Hiremath - 3-3, 2 RBI
C Allison Dugas-Behan - 0-3
RF Dan Bertoldi - 0-3
C Danielle Yannetta - 1-3

Additional note: The 7:00 permit holders, the Wild Things, wound up short players, so Mike and Nel stayed on to play a second game. The Wild Things were absolutely shelled, 19 (I think, but it was hard to keep track) to 2. However, Mike and Nel represented the Bullets well, driving in both Wild Thing runs - Mike's fifth-inning RBI triple, followed immediately by Nel's run-scoring double, salvaged some pride in not being shut out, and Mike provided his steady third base defense to the cause (Nel, roaming the outfield, didn't see quite as much action, but also acquitted himself well).