Undefeated!

Holy Toledo! 

We just keep getting better, team! Last week we didn't lose, and this week we straight-up won. By my count, that makes us undefeated, even if there is an array of potential future multiverses where we end up losing what was technically the first game of the season. It's not how you start, but how you finish. And for the purpose of a little-read blog headline, it's when you finish. 

Softball is Serious Business.

A heck of a well-earned victory, too. The Force was not with the Franklin Institute on Monday night, as they never seriously threatened after the first inning and and lost by a final tally of 13-3. Buoyed by the return of the injured Mr. Schwartz to the sidelines and his rousing motivational cry of "Everybody hits!" (whatever that means) the Tambourines burst out to a five run lead in the top of the first inning as we nearly batted around (maybe that's what it means).  A couple runs came at the expense of some shaky Franklin defense --I assume they must have been rattled by the rally tambourine raising a ruckus with every crack of the bat. 

Adorable.

The game wasn't over that quickly, as the Force responded in the bottom half, scoring two quick runs and making it clear that they did not intend to go meekly into the dusk. We managed to shut down that threat without further damage, and after two quick outs to start the second, Rafter and Mac hit back to back home runs to restore the lead to five. We never looked back. Our defense was again solid as we allowed just one more run in the six remaining innings. Props to the infield, which handled balls on the ground despite an unforgiving (to put it mildly) turf and even ranged into the shallow outfield to rob hits on a few in-betweeners (looking at you, Adam and Dusty). A commendation to DK for her business-casual catch on a foul pop behind the plate, and much respect to Adam for a solid pitching performance after last week's emergency relief couldn't make it to the game (Everybody Pitches!). 

Everybody Hits!

Everybody feel good about themselves? Satisfied with getting a win? Happy about playing some quality softball?

No Franklin Force player was hurt in the making of this out. We think.

STOP. It's time for some real talk and tough love - we've had a nice couple of outings, but we are not ready for prime time, not yet, and we showed it in this game. Sure, we can field. Great, we strung some hits together and pushed across a bunch of runs. Fantastic, we won the game. I'm here to tell you that to anyone who was paying attention out there, it was crystal clear that TFI was - by far - the better prepared and the best-performing team on the field in one critical regard: they had beer. Multiple kinds of beer. Cans of Perpetual IPA for quality taste and enjoyment, PBR for rehydration in the late innings. They had options, we had nothing. While we were wetting our dry throats and cracked lips with candy-colored gatorade and plain insipid H2O, the Force was gaily tipping back cold, delicious, nourishing  hop-flavored barley elixirs. I'm not going to claim that beer is necessary to sustain life itself - although it undoubtedly helps - but I'm pretty sure it's required for a hale and hearty softball team.

I'm so thirsty.

I'm not calling out anyone in particular - I showed up empty handed myself, and I'm not proud of it. Let's all just agree to never let it happen again.

NEXT WEEK: DOUBLEHEADER! DOUBLE FUN!

Monday, 4/28 - Edgeley #4 vs. the South Philly Tap Room
Tuesday, 4/29 - Edgeley #8 vs. the Pen & Pencil Club

We are the home team for both matches, which means we have last ups - and we might need 'em. If we're going to remain undefeated, we've got to be at the top of our game against two clubs that finished third and second in the league last year, respectively. Ain't no thing. Let's shock the world CCSL.

Like I said, Adorable.

First Inning Loss, Late Rally in Season Opener

It was a beautiful day for some softball as TGT arrived at Edgeley #8 for the first official game of the season. The trees were in bloom, the jersees looked sharp, a full roster of players were present and accounted for, a full case of Silver Bullets were in the cooler. A dry field. An affable Zoo Crew in the opposing dugout. Nothing more could be asked for.

Things were looking good for us in the top of the first as co-captain, clean up hitter, and designated pitcher Matt Schwartz strode to the plate, with no outs and one run already home. No doubt some Tambourines were daring to dream that this could be a year to shake up the CCSL and make some noise. Alas, the day took a sharp turn for the worse as the at-bat ended with a weak groundout and a lead Tambo sprawled in the batter's box in obvious pain, with a dislocated kneecap (update below).

On the bright side, he did get an RBI on the play.

Lacking our fearless leader and a key middle-of-the-order hitter, we stumbled a bit in the ensuing innings. Although we got runners on base, the "big hit" eluded our bats, and despite loading the bases twice few managed to score. On the defensive side of the ball, we gave up runs in several innings but played solidly enough to stay within striking distance, getting stronger as the game went on. Brian proved a capable replacement on the mound (even improving after the Zoo asked him to move back and actually throw from the rubber) and even registered a strikeout or two.

OK, we'll admit, they might have been right.

And so it came down to the final innings. With the light fading and down by two runs, we retired the Zookeepers 1-2-3 in the bottom of the sixth on a series of pop-ups and fly-outs, and finally got the clutch hit we had been missing to drive in the equalizer in the seventh. It was 8-8 in the bottom seventh with two outs, a runner on third and the sun completely below the horizon. Lesser teams may have wilted, may have let the final sharply hit ground ball roll into center field and decide the game. But not the Tambos -- or at least not Adam, who made a diving stop at second base, hustled to his feet, and made the throw to maintain the tie.

And there was much rejoicing.

Nice socks!

After a day that started with much promise, we didn't win - but we didn't lose either. We bucked up with our backs to the wall and batted the ball, battled to a stall. Woo!

Nice game so far, folks. Officially it is suspended and will be resumed and completed prior to our next match-up with the Zoo.

Nuh - uh. We got this.

*Photos thanks to our Russian surveillance expert and utility bench player, A.B.

Medical update: Matt's patella is no longer located on the side of his knee and has been returned to its proper position and orientation. A morphine drip ensured it didn't hurt too much during the process, and X-rays didn't reveal any additional damage. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and return to the field.

That looks *much* sexier.

Next Game: Monday, 4/21 -- Belmont #4 vs. TFI

Pre-Season Recap!

What a beautiful evening it was yesterday! Perfect for a pre-season game with a very evenly matched NCC Team...

A huge Bald Eagle flew over the field during the first inning - what a sight!

Finally, after three or four lead changes, the sun set and we called it 12-10 after 6 innings.

Thanks to all who came out - it's gonna be a great season!

No game next week; we'll hold a team practice on one of the open fields, or maybe try to get another scrimmage in. Stay tuned!

Lastly, here's a preview of our new jersees!