|
Carlito's Way, lacking the necessary interns to secure a suitable field, spent the early evening in a desperate hunt for a location to play. CW staked its flag at the base of the Washington Monument and prepared to battle the DHS Rough Riders. Chris Kurzich opened the game on the mound giving a solid performance in a back and forth battle that certainly proved to be a rough ride. Commerce cemented its third straight win in a come-from-behind, 25-23, victory for its first 3-0 start since 2004.
ICE must have been busy Thursday morning, deporting illegal softball immigrants, as DHS showed up short of female talent; however, Commerce’s depth proved valuable once more as a last minute trade was struck and Jennifer Scoggins and Stephanie Bernard were sent to the Rough Rider’s. Terms of the deal were not immediately released but it is rumored that a jumbo pretzel and water may have been involved
It was a sold out crowd as 50+ students and the Nick Sauer fan club lined the backstop for HCHB Park’s promotional student package of a ticket and pizza. The taunting aroma of Papa John's pizza filled the air leading Carlito’s Way to a slow start as they fell behind 4-1 early in the game.
Things grew grim in the outfield as star outfielder, Steve Madden fell on a cement grate during warm-up, scraping his entire leg and rendering him unable to play outfield. Meanwhile, center fielder Mike McCoy pulled a muscle in his first at bat while straining to reach the Washington Monument. Luckily, Erik Heilman, a free agent picked up from the Hill came in as a utility infielder and outfielder.
The next three innings would prove to be a battle of the wills as each team struggled to maintain the lead. CW gained a one run lead in the second and closed the third up 8-5.
Solid play and coaching across the board gave Commerce a commanding 16-10 lead in the fourth over the Rough Riders. Then the game turned on a dime, testing the will and perseverance of Carlito's Way, the team struggled with defensive errors, giving up 13 runs in two innings, leaving the score 23 -16 in the bottom of the 6th as the sun began to set on CW.
Durant "the come back king" led the team off with his second homer of the evening bringing the score to 23-17 as Carlito's Way edged closer. Madden, Rolland, and Ellis made solid contact and loaded the bases with one out. Beeson stepped to the plate and knocked a line drive to left center, driving in two runs run bringing the team to within 4. Zach Warren cleared the bases as he knocked a homerun to right center bringing the tally to 23-22.
Carlito’s Way was down by one run with one out in the final inning and then entered Sheri Valera. She not only played above expectations in the field she batted 100 for the evening, reaching base on all five attempts including her final one. Johnsen followed her lead with another single and moved Valera to second.
With one out, two runners on, and a tied score, John Tocco stepped to the plate. “Base hit, base hit, just keep it on the ground,” he heard as the team was excited to keep the rally going. The first two pitches came in a bit high and inside as Tocco watched them pass. He reset his grip one final time then unloaded an ICBM to dead center that landed on the base of the Washington Monument hitting the structure on the second bounce. It was the longest drive seen in the history of the league. Monument security was too awe struck by the glory of the hit to arrest him for defamation of public property. The walk-off homerun sealed the game for Carlitos Way at 25-23 and marked their first come from behind win of the season.
FAN APPRECIATION DAY.... This Wednesday!
Join us on Wednesday night for an ALL POLITICALS cookout at Haines Point. CW faces the HHS Sluggers at 6:30 pm. CW will provide hot dogs with all the dressings, snacks, and sodas... HHS will be grilling out as well, drowning their inevitable defeat with some comfort food. CW seeks drivers that can carpool to get the team over to Haines Point by 6:30 pm on Wednesday, so let Coach Beeson know if you are interested. |
