by Joel Press
With only weeks to go in the 2009 NY Media Softball League season, the DC Bullets have a lot of rained out games to make up. But none loomed larger than this past Thursday’s must-win game against WNYC Radio. With memories of their 11 inning loss to Manhattan’s NPR affiliate back in June still fresh in their minds, the Bullets took the field under a rare cloud free Thursday, seeking redemption (and a .500 record in league play).
Behind the pitching of Larry “Tim Wakefield’s got nuthin’ on me” Ganem, the Bullets shut down WNYC’s offense in the top of the first. Then in the bottom of the first, the Bullets struck. Getting things started with a leadoff single was coach Adam “I work on Summer Fridays” Schlagman (4 for 4, 3 Runs, 2 RBI) followed by third baseman Mike “I’m off to Cooperstown, someone else do the writeup” Lorah (2 for 4, 2 Runs, 2 RBI). The Bullets drew first blood on a sac fly by outfielder Pat “The Bat” Brosseau (2 for 3, 1 Run, 3 RBI), and second blood (if there is such a thing) on a triple by outfielder Brian “I ain’t lyin’” Cunningham (2 for 3, 1 Run, 3 RBI), giving them an early 3-run cushion to work with.
Ganem and the Bullets would hold WNYC scoreless in their half of the second inning, after which DC struck again, scoring 4 more runs in the bottom of the second behind, all with two outs, behind RBI singles by Schlagman, Lorah, outfielder Jay “Make ‘em pay” Kogan (3 for 4, 1 Run, 1 RBI), and Brosseau, giving the Bullets a comfortable 7 run lead.
WNYC was able to push across one run in the top of the third, but it would prove to be their only run scored in the game, as Ganem and the Bullets would shut down WNYC’s offense with stellar, if not always graceful, defensive plays.
The Bullets managed another 5 runs in the game, scoring 2 in the bottom of the fifth and another 3 in the bottom of the sixth, to notch a 12-1 victory and bring their record to 9-6 (3-3 in NYMSL play). With only 4 league games remaining (2 in each of the next 2 weeks), the Bullets have a tentative grasp on 4th place and the league’s final playoff spot. Next up are some tough customers in Business Week (4-3 in NYMSL play) on Thursday and Wall Street Journal (5-1 in NYMSL play) on Friday.
Game Notes:
by Michael C Lorah
A big hand for Joel Press, stepping in to do the game recap this week, fans! Anything defamatory in the above can be addressed to the DC Legal department, care of Joel.
As I understand it, the Bullets nailed down another win on Friday evening, topping Archie Comics, and running their mark to 10-6 (yet still 3-3 in NYMSL play). I was, as Joel stated, touring the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown that day and missed the game, so I have no idea the score or if anybody’s going to hand me a recap of it. I’ll post it if I get it.
