If you love watching architectural league softball with electric offense and spectacular defense then this was definitely not the game for you. After two blowout victories to start the season, HMA/RAMSA was once again locked in a pitching duel--only this time they weren't on the short end of the stick.FXFowle got on the board first in the top of the second inning as Mike Cosentino led off the inning with a double and came around to score on an opposite field single by pitcher Manny Morales for an early 1-0 lead. Equally potent with his arm, Manny also shut down the Orange Crush for the first 4-2/3 innings of no hit ball. After retiring the first two batters of the bottom of the 5th inning, Megan Fullagar hit a well-placed ball into the hole between 3rd and short for a (generous) base hit. Josh Barkan followed with a single to put runners on 1st and 2nd as DH Mike Periolat stepped up with the biggest at bat of the young season. Mike lined a double into the gap in left center to score two runs--the second of which by fleet-o-foot Josh Barkan who tripped halfway between 3rd and home and fell flat on his face. Were it not for the errant throw home, Josh probably was dead at home; but as it stands his aggressive base running gave HMA/RAMSA a lead they would never relinquish. (How we don’t have video of this moment is the biggest disappoint of the entire game. It would have been a classic blooper for generations.) HMA/RAMSA tacked on another run that inning with another opposite field single to right field by RF Cale Sadowski for a 3-1 lead.
After giving up a run in the second inning, pitcher David Solomon retired the next 11 batters and didn’t allow a base runner until the top of the sixth inning. FXFowle threatened in the 6th with a leadoff error, followed by a couple of singles in the inning, which brought 3B Nate Rupcich to the plate with the bases loaded. Nate smoked a line drive to a well-positioned Mike Ryan at shortstop for the last out of the inning to end the would-be rally
HMA/RAMSA added another insurance run in the bottom of the 6th inning thanks in part to terrific hustle by Pete Garofalo who went from 1st to 3rd on a groundball out to the shortstop. Replay footage shows that Pete may have been tagged out but since SLAM has yet to officially institute replay in 2009, the ruling on the field stood. Mike Ryan brought the runner home from 3rd with a single up the middle for a 4-1 heading to the 7th.
Things got very interesting in the last inning as FXFowle once again threatened with a leadoff single, followed by two miscommunications on routine infield bloops that led to a bases loaded jam. Manny Morales then singled to center to score 1 run, leaving the bases loaded with 1 out in a 4-2 game. With a little gas left in the ol' tank, Solomon struck out the next batter and got the final out of the game on a comeback ground ball to secure the 3rd victory of the season.
After scoring 38 runs in their first 2 games, HMA/RAMSA has now only scored 6 runs combined in their next two. One has to wonder where has the offense gone? Or have they just been up against great pitching? Either way, the bats must come alive if this team is to contend for the 2009 title.
GAME BALLS: Mike and Mike
- Mike Ryan—for his solid defense at SS filling in for injured Doug Houstoun (hopefully expected back for the next game on June 8th) and, for his big RBI in the 7th for an insurance run.
- Mike Periolat—clutch double in the 5th to drive home 2 runs.
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