The DC Bullets softball squad showed a little early-season rust at the start of their 2009 opener against the Paris Review on Thursday, April 30. After a sluggish offensive start, third baseman Michael Lorah (2-4, RBI, run) drove home their first run with an RBI single, chasing home second baseman Erin Dawald (2-4, RBI, 2 runs) in the third inning.

In the fifth, the flood gates opened up, with three consecutive run-producing plate appearances. Dawald drove in pitcher/outfielder Sal Cipriano (4-4, double, 2 runs) with an RBI double. Shortstop Adam Schlagman’s (4-4, run) base hit pushed outfielder Heather Einhorn (2-4, run) across, and outfielder Adam Staffaroni’s (0-2, two fielder’s choices, sac fly) sacrifice fly brought Dawald home for the inning’s final tally.

Additional offensive highlights included run scoring triples by pitcher/outfielder Joel Press (2-4, triple, 2 RBI, run) in the sixth and outfielder Pat Brosseau (3-4, triple, 2 RBI, 2 runs) in the seventh. Catcher/outfielder Larry “LP” Vollano (1-4, home run, 2 RBI, run) capped the scoring with a two-run bomb to finish a five-run seventh inning rally. This makes LP the early leader for 2009 Rookie of the Year.

Alas, the Bullet’s sluggish start was both offensive and defensive. The ten runs scored by the Bullets in the final three innings look nice on paper, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 16-1 deficit the Bullets found themselves in after the fourth inning. Final score: Paris Review 20, DC Bullets 11.

Game Notes:

At least one error can be attributed to nearly every single Bullet in the first four innings. The Bullets set a new standard for their ugliest half-game in a long history of ugly half-games.  No defensive stars worth nothing this time around!  Unless you count a couple excellent plays by the opponent’s left fielder.

Big thanks for injured stars Fletcher Chu-Fong and Doug Harrison for showing up to provide moral support, and a shout out to DC’s VP-Manufacturing Alison Gill for trekking out to cheer on the Bullets.

Still no sign of the super soldier Nel Yomtov in the early going this season. Perhaps he’s trying to hook on with a “better” team. Good luck with that!

Tips o’ the hat to rookies Jerry Cerza (1-4, RBI, run, FC) for stepping in at first base, and Jeff Boison (1-4, FC) for splitting time with LP in the outfield and behind the plate.

Fans can come watch the DC Bullets softball team in action this Thursday at 5:30pm at North Meadow, Field #2 against Popular Science.

The DC Bullets softball squad is through with their spring training!

Coming on the heels of a successful 2007 season, in which they made the playoffs during the inaugural season of the New York Media softball league, the Bullets regressed during a frustrating 2008 season. Perhaps it was the managerial change, going from the calm hand of long-time head coach Joel “It’s easier to make pot shots at the coach when it’s not me” Press to the high energy antics of Adam “Stop picking on me” Schlagman. Perhaps it was a series of debilitating injuries, with stalwarts Fletcher “Switch-hitting” Chu-Fong and Dougie “Let’s test that pitcher’s fielding” Harrison both missing chunks of time. Or perhaps they’re simply not very good.

But it’s a new season, 2009, and the Bullets will unveil some new rookies, new uniforms (!), and a rejuvenated fun, yet winning attitude at the North Meadow, Field #2 in New York’s Central Park on Thursday, April 30, against the Paris Review.

For the 2009 season, the New York Media league will have six teams: defending champions BusinessWeek, Wall Street Journal, High Times, Daily Beast, WNYC and the Bullets, and at least another half dozen non-league games are scheduled to keep the team sharp during the long summer months.

As the Bullets prepare for 2009, here are some of the statistical leaders from last season’s 5-13 (1-9 in league, 4-4 non-league) finish:

AVERAGE
Adam Schlagman = .635
Joe Hughes = .619
Nel Yomtov = .600

HITS
Adam Schlagman = 33
Michael Lorah = 25
Nel Yomtov = 24

RBIS
Michael Lorah = 20
Patrick Brosseau = 17
Nel Yomtov = 11
Jay Kogan = 11

RUNS
Andrew Arnold = 17
Adam Schlagman = 14
Jay Kogan = 14

Among the season’s big games: April 30, season opener against Paris Review; June 1, first League game against WNYC; June 11, first game against defending champion BusinessWeek; August 6, vs. Marvel Comics.

So if any fans are in the area, stop by Central Park’s North Meadow, Field #2 on Thursday, April 30, at 5:30 pm.  The Bullets guarantee a spectacle, though hopefully the 2009 squad can avoid 2008’s comedy of errors.