It was a beautiful night on the Jefferson Monument Field last night as the Mighty Pandemics kept the egg in their record, moving to 6-0 and the only undefeated team in the league! USTR showed up with a mighty crew and gave the Pandemics a gallant fight. However, in the final inning the bats came alive lifting the Pandemics to a 7 point lead, the defense then stepped up and sealed the victory. Final score: Pandemics 18, USTR 11.
Following almost a month off, it was clear there was a little rust around the edges in the first few innings. However, the Pandemics were able to keep it close with some big home runs by Mark Phillippee and Drew Smith. On one of Mark’s home runs, he pulled a creative move to disguise his talent. On the first pitch he gave a swing that brought mockery from the Pandemics bench…it looked like he was attempting to hit the ball back to the pitcher, if even that far. Following this pathetic display of talent, the outfielders came in thinking he wouldn’t be able to clear the infield. On the next pitch, Philippe unloaded on the ball and drove it well over the left fielders head; he walked the bases for a home run. Drew Smith also impressed us with his fancy base running. On one of his homeruns, Drew got caught in a hotbox between 3rd base and home plate. As the catcher threw the ball back to the 3rd basewoman, she caught her checking out Drew’s bulging biceps and the ball sailed past her. Drew dove head first into 3rd, realized the ball had been overthrown, got up and ran in to complete his homer… The 3rd basewoman was disappointed to learn Drew has a girlfriend.
At their first Pandemic appearance, the Croshaw family showed up in strength including Andrew, Vanessa, Grant, Faith, Clark and Johnny. The kids helped keep the team moral high cheering us on from the sideline! On Andrew’s first at bat his kids were cheering him on like he was competing for the Olympic gold. Croshaw stepped up and cranked one about 3 feet in front of home plate. However, he took off running at lightning speed to arrive safely at first, his kids were as proud as could be! While Andrew provided a great spark to the Pandemics, he was overshadowed by the talent of his beloved wife Vanessa. Vanessa gets the defensive MVP as she ran down a handful of foul balls while playing catcher. She kept the defense going while the rust was coming off!
It was a great night for softball! Congratulations to the Pandemics on improving to 6-0! Teams are now gunning to get a shot at us, and we need to keep it going. We don’t have a game scheduled next week because of the holiday. However, I am going to try to arrange a pick up game for Tuesday night. If we can’t get one, it could be fun to go to the batting cages. I’ll keep y’all posted.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
HHS Pandemics vs. EPA Green Monsters
Pandemics-
Last night the Mighty Pandemics took to the recently mowed Haines Point field to square off against the “Green Monsters” of the EPA (I guess they changed their name). The Pandemics showed up in full force with 25 strong wearing the beautiful blue Pandemics jersey.
The bats ignited early giving the Pandemics a 4-0 lead after two innings. The Pandemics mighty defense kept the Monsters at a safe distance heading into the bottom of the 6th with the score at 9-3. After Angela Hope batted in a run, giving us a 10-3 lead, the Green Monsters came up for what should have been their final at bat. Andy Briggs, at pitcher, closed the Monsters down in what should have been the final inning by allowing only 2 runs, bringing the score to 10-5. However, the game wasn’t over. The Green Monsters persuaded the Pandemics to play an extra inning. This tactic almost worked, but in the end the Pandemics defense, led by left fielder Ben Sasse, closed down their last inning rally leaving the final score Pandemics 10, Green Monsters 8. It was a great game!
The big wet ball award goes to Patrick Jaxsens and Drew Smith who both cranked homeruns so far, they landed in the Potomac. Credit must be given to the brains of our team, Patrick Conway, who is our infamous white house fellow. On his first at bat, the opposing pitcher recognized Conway, and began bombarding him with comments like… “aren’t you too smart to play softball?” Conway in his gentle manner stepped up and confidently sacked a ball deep into the outfield. While approaching third base, Conway quickly calculated the time he had to reach 3rd base before the ball that had been thrown by the center fielder reached the 3rd baseman. Realizing from his calculation that he had no hope of being safe, Conway hit the turf to perform a move he had determined would be the only chance he had of not getting thrown out. As he slid into the bag, Conway’s shoe knocked the ball out of the 3rd baseman’s glove bringing him safely to third base. It was a brilliantly calculated move.
Ben Sasse also performed a miraculous catch while playing left field. The Green Monsters had 2 on base with 2 outs, and were in the midst of what could have been a game changing rally. One of their power hitters stepped up to the plate and knocked one into deep left field. What happened next was described to me by a bystander who watched the miraculous catch (the sun was so bright we couldn’t see it happen). Allegedly, Sasse turned to run down the screaming ball that was destined to land in the muddy water of the Potomac. Realizing the ball was water bound, Sasse ripped off his shirt, dove in the water, and swam to where the ball was headed and made the catch while treading water. No one from the field could see this spectacular catch because the sun was so bright, or it may have been caused by Sasse’s need for a tan, but regardless the catch was made and the rally ended. As Sasse ran back to the dugout his wavy hair was damp.
It was a great night for softball, and the Pandemics move to 5-0! We are sitting pretty at the top of the league. (League Standings) We don’t have another scheduled game until June 16, but I am going to try to schedule a game before then. You can keep track of the schedule on the blog: www.hhspandemics.blogspot.com
Congratulations again for the great victory! Let’s keep the Pandemic roaring!
GO PANDEMICS!!!
Coach Nelson
Last night the Mighty Pandemics took to the recently mowed Haines Point field to square off against the “Green Monsters” of the EPA (I guess they changed their name). The Pandemics showed up in full force with 25 strong wearing the beautiful blue Pandemics jersey.
The bats ignited early giving the Pandemics a 4-0 lead after two innings. The Pandemics mighty defense kept the Monsters at a safe distance heading into the bottom of the 6th with the score at 9-3. After Angela Hope batted in a run, giving us a 10-3 lead, the Green Monsters came up for what should have been their final at bat. Andy Briggs, at pitcher, closed the Monsters down in what should have been the final inning by allowing only 2 runs, bringing the score to 10-5. However, the game wasn’t over. The Green Monsters persuaded the Pandemics to play an extra inning. This tactic almost worked, but in the end the Pandemics defense, led by left fielder Ben Sasse, closed down their last inning rally leaving the final score Pandemics 10, Green Monsters 8. It was a great game!
The big wet ball award goes to Patrick Jaxsens and Drew Smith who both cranked homeruns so far, they landed in the Potomac. Credit must be given to the brains of our team, Patrick Conway, who is our infamous white house fellow. On his first at bat, the opposing pitcher recognized Conway, and began bombarding him with comments like… “aren’t you too smart to play softball?” Conway in his gentle manner stepped up and confidently sacked a ball deep into the outfield. While approaching third base, Conway quickly calculated the time he had to reach 3rd base before the ball that had been thrown by the center fielder reached the 3rd baseman. Realizing from his calculation that he had no hope of being safe, Conway hit the turf to perform a move he had determined would be the only chance he had of not getting thrown out. As he slid into the bag, Conway’s shoe knocked the ball out of the 3rd baseman’s glove bringing him safely to third base. It was a brilliantly calculated move.
Ben Sasse also performed a miraculous catch while playing left field. The Green Monsters had 2 on base with 2 outs, and were in the midst of what could have been a game changing rally. One of their power hitters stepped up to the plate and knocked one into deep left field. What happened next was described to me by a bystander who watched the miraculous catch (the sun was so bright we couldn’t see it happen). Allegedly, Sasse turned to run down the screaming ball that was destined to land in the muddy water of the Potomac. Realizing the ball was water bound, Sasse ripped off his shirt, dove in the water, and swam to where the ball was headed and made the catch while treading water. No one from the field could see this spectacular catch because the sun was so bright, or it may have been caused by Sasse’s need for a tan, but regardless the catch was made and the rally ended. As Sasse ran back to the dugout his wavy hair was damp.
It was a great night for softball, and the Pandemics move to 5-0! We are sitting pretty at the top of the league. (League Standings) We don’t have another scheduled game until June 16, but I am going to try to schedule a game before then. You can keep track of the schedule on the blog: www.hhspandemics.blogspot.com
Congratulations again for the great victory! Let’s keep the Pandemic roaring!
GO PANDEMICS!!!
Coach Nelson
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