Sir Lord Baltimore improved a game on Tuesday night to make their record 4-5, downing OSK in a grudge match. Earlier in the year, OSK took advantage of bad SLB defense and slaughtered the team, 13-3.
But none of that sloppy gameplay was evident in the rematch, as the Sirs defense harnessed the chatty OSK through 5 innings. Michael "K" K turned in his best performance of the year, retiring six batters on strikes and walking none. In the outfield, Adam C tracked down numerous flyballs and linedrives, at one point gunning a throw from left center field to secure a double play with 2B Joan S.
The play came just moments after another great Adam C-to-Joan S connection to throw out the same runner, but the ump missed the call. Adam C had fired the ball down a pipe and Joan S caught it on a dive, keeping her foot superglued to the bag. Getting the double play was redemption.
SS Adam R also turned in a double play when runners were at first and second in the second inning, covering the bag and the throw to first.
True to form, sluggers Michael K and Adam C also showed up at the plate, with two homeruns each. While they each knocked linedrives for one of the 4-baggers, it was their legs that carried them on the other hits. One of Adam C's in-the-parkers actually came on a hard hit grounder to the OSK shortstop, who failed to glove it.
In a comedic moment, Adam R sailed a flyball to right field. When the catch was dropped, he was ready to sprint to second base -- except he'd missed the bag at first. Legs flailing, he looped around to tag up and by this time the ball was still rolling in the close-cut grass, so he had time to race to third.
That's the sort of play that put the Sirs ahead 7-3 by the third inning, hoping to gain six more to return the favor of a slaughter. But after OSK put a couple runners on base in the sixth with only one out, a hard shot to right field resulted in a 3-run homer. The game got interesting with a score of 8-6. Michael K sat down the next batter and Kevin D reeled in a fly ball at shortstop to end the threat.
That's when Michael K legged out his second homerun to finalize the score at 9-6. The Sirs took the field for the top half of the seventh, but it was made meaningless when, in an outstanding play in a game of outstanding plays, Joan S deftly fielded a hard shot to 2B and flipped the ball in for the out.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Sir Lord Baltimore 7, Mobtown Beatdown 13
It was a school of hard knocks on Tuesday, as your Sirs of Baltimore were felled by the bats of the Mobtown Beatdown. Final score: 13-7, which is a two-point improvement since the teams last met.
The contest started slowly on the chilly evening, with an uncharacteristic strikeout for the consistently effective leadoff batter, Mike B. Next, Adam R -- back to the top of the order -- was put out on a grounder to second base, and Emily B's tap was no match for the Beatdown.
But the Sirs defense allowed only one baserunner in the bottom half of the inning. Starter Michael "K" K also dealt a strikeout to the first batter. He had three or so on the night, as well as a couple walks.
And, in the top of the second, Michael K stroked a shot deep into center field and legged out a homerun, putting the Sirs onto the scoreboard.
But then trouble started for the Sirs when the Mobtown Beatdown plated six runs. And just as it seemed like there was no end in sight for the long inning, out number three came when RF Adam R connected with 2B Kristen A, who snagged the throw out of the dirt and applied the tag in a fluid motion, like a seasoned veteran. It was an inspired play, indicative of the kind of grace that makes softball more than a game.
The Sirs responded to the big inning on their next at bat, drawing a couple bases on balls. Michael K's walk brought in Adam R. Next, Michael and Emily B scored on a two RBI fielder's choice off of the productive bat of Kevin D. Then, with Kevin still on base, Adam "Ace" C walloped a two run homer into the darkness at the edge of the field. It was the farthest this reporter has seen a ball fly during regulation play. After a moment, the left fielder returned with the ball.
"How long was I gone for?" he asked.
"Just like thirty seconds."
"Seemed longer," he said, then he recounted a story about an epic, wintry battle he'd just witnessed, between a lion, a witch and four children. "The lion died. Oh, here's the ball," he said in conclusion, and the game resumed.
But it didn't resume well for Sir Lord Baltimore, who couldn't keep their bats working. While the Beatdown continued to hit away, the Sirs fell silent. However, in another bright moment, this time verging on the comedic, Michael K managed to stretch a Joan S grounder into an RBI from second base with patiently aggressive base running.
For the Sirs's final inning on the field, closer Joan S came in for what was nearly a Mobtown Shutdown. Snagging a hard hit comebacker, she attempted a pickoff throw but a half-step out of time. She allowed a walk, but then struck out the next batter. After that, the opponents scored a few more runs on a liner to right field.
In the end, it was the accumulation of close calls that sealed the fate of Sir Lord Baltimore. As James J put it after the game, "We were just too timid." Enough said.
Sir Lord Baltimore takes on the dreadful OSK at home next week, at 8pm. OSK slaughtered SLB when they met in September.
The contest started slowly on the chilly evening, with an uncharacteristic strikeout for the consistently effective leadoff batter, Mike B. Next, Adam R -- back to the top of the order -- was put out on a grounder to second base, and Emily B's tap was no match for the Beatdown.
But the Sirs defense allowed only one baserunner in the bottom half of the inning. Starter Michael "K" K also dealt a strikeout to the first batter. He had three or so on the night, as well as a couple walks.
And, in the top of the second, Michael K stroked a shot deep into center field and legged out a homerun, putting the Sirs onto the scoreboard.
But then trouble started for the Sirs when the Mobtown Beatdown plated six runs. And just as it seemed like there was no end in sight for the long inning, out number three came when RF Adam R connected with 2B Kristen A, who snagged the throw out of the dirt and applied the tag in a fluid motion, like a seasoned veteran. It was an inspired play, indicative of the kind of grace that makes softball more than a game.
The Sirs responded to the big inning on their next at bat, drawing a couple bases on balls. Michael K's walk brought in Adam R. Next, Michael and Emily B scored on a two RBI fielder's choice off of the productive bat of Kevin D. Then, with Kevin still on base, Adam "Ace" C walloped a two run homer into the darkness at the edge of the field. It was the farthest this reporter has seen a ball fly during regulation play. After a moment, the left fielder returned with the ball.
"How long was I gone for?" he asked.
"Just like thirty seconds."
"Seemed longer," he said, then he recounted a story about an epic, wintry battle he'd just witnessed, between a lion, a witch and four children. "The lion died. Oh, here's the ball," he said in conclusion, and the game resumed.
But it didn't resume well for Sir Lord Baltimore, who couldn't keep their bats working. While the Beatdown continued to hit away, the Sirs fell silent. However, in another bright moment, this time verging on the comedic, Michael K managed to stretch a Joan S grounder into an RBI from second base with patiently aggressive base running.
For the Sirs's final inning on the field, closer Joan S came in for what was nearly a Mobtown Shutdown. Snagging a hard hit comebacker, she attempted a pickoff throw but a half-step out of time. She allowed a walk, but then struck out the next batter. After that, the opponents scored a few more runs on a liner to right field.
In the end, it was the accumulation of close calls that sealed the fate of Sir Lord Baltimore. As James J put it after the game, "We were just too timid." Enough said.
Sir Lord Baltimore takes on the dreadful OSK at home next week, at 8pm. OSK slaughtered SLB when they met in September.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Sir Lord Baltimore 11, Civic Works Beelers 1
It was a night of second helpings. For the second game in a row, Sir Lord Baltimore held their opponents to a single run, and they slaughtered the Civic Works Beelers for the second time in two meetings.
The game started slowly enough, though, with the Beelers notching a run in the bottom of the first inning. Then, with two outs at the top of the second, Joan S tied the game on a right-field double knocked by Adam R.
In the third inning, the Sirs managed to notch two more runs, one on a chop down the third base line by Emily B which scored Mike B, her husband. All in the family.
The Beelers threatened the narrow lead when their team's Big Man hit a solid line drive into right center field with runners on first and second. With deft glovework, Barbara D snagged the ball and lasered a throw to second to stop the runners.
The bats stayed relatively quiet through the next few innings as the Beelers were contained by Kevin D, slotted for the first time at shortstop. Joan S, who struggled with a baserunning snafu that Michael K described as painful, also played an inning at first base.
Asked what caused her to stop running from second to third with a runner behind her, Joan S claimed responsibility. "I'm just not a good baserunner," she said. "And I have to tune out Michael sometimes," she continued, referring to Michael K's entreaties from first base.
Things really started for SLB in the sixth inning, when they scored eight runs, including three from a Michael K wallop.
The Beelers made an attempt in the bottom half of the inning, but couldn't manufacture any runs against the mighty Sirs. The win brought Sir Lord Baltimore to within one game of .500 at 3-4-0. Their roadtrip continues next week when they face the undefeated Mobtown Beatdown.
The game started slowly enough, though, with the Beelers notching a run in the bottom of the first inning. Then, with two outs at the top of the second, Joan S tied the game on a right-field double knocked by Adam R.
In the third inning, the Sirs managed to notch two more runs, one on a chop down the third base line by Emily B which scored Mike B, her husband. All in the family.
The Beelers threatened the narrow lead when their team's Big Man hit a solid line drive into right center field with runners on first and second. With deft glovework, Barbara D snagged the ball and lasered a throw to second to stop the runners.
The bats stayed relatively quiet through the next few innings as the Beelers were contained by Kevin D, slotted for the first time at shortstop. Joan S, who struggled with a baserunning snafu that Michael K described as painful, also played an inning at first base.
Asked what caused her to stop running from second to third with a runner behind her, Joan S claimed responsibility. "I'm just not a good baserunner," she said. "And I have to tune out Michael sometimes," she continued, referring to Michael K's entreaties from first base.
Things really started for SLB in the sixth inning, when they scored eight runs, including three from a Michael K wallop.
The Beelers made an attempt in the bottom half of the inning, but couldn't manufacture any runs against the mighty Sirs. The win brought Sir Lord Baltimore to within one game of .500 at 3-4-0. Their roadtrip continues next week when they face the undefeated Mobtown Beatdown.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Sir Lord Baltimore 8, GTM 1
Sir Lord Baltimore introduced new black uniforms Tuesday night, but it wasn't just the shirts that were on display. Trouncing their opponents 8-1, the Lords and Ladies played like a whole new team.
Right Fielder Megan M said, "We got good."
Asked how she accounts for the win, SLB manager Joan S didn't speechify. "Defense," she said at an after-game celebration.
It didn't hurt when the bats came alive for sluggers Michael K and Adam C, either. Michael had two homers and five RBI. Adam's homer brought in two. If memory serves this reporter, Emery P plated James J with a single in the third inning to get things started for the Sirs.
The game, which lasted roundabout seven innings, didn't start offensively for either team. In the third inning, after SLB went the long way through their entire batting order, only Mike B had managed a base hit, which he did in both of his first attempts.
But after his second hit, he was called out for a casual high-five with first base coach Adam R.
That's when the game changed for the Sirs. James J drew a walk, putting himself at 2nd base and giving speedster Emily B the bag at first. A solid hit from Emery P brought James J back home to tie the score at 1-1. That's when Michael "Three Man Army" K roped his first opposite field homer.
Later in the game, with Joan S on base, Adam C powered one into center field, scoring two. Michael K's last homerun of the game brought the score to 8-1.
The single opposing run came after a bizarre error. After catching an infield fly ball, shortstop Adam R attempted to pickoff the runner at first. The ball rolled under a hole in the fence, so the umpire advanced the runner.
"Of course I feel bad about that play," Adam R said after the game. "If we connect, the inning's over. Instead we put the runner in scoring position. That hurts."
The run was not charged against Sirs pitcher Michael K, who completed the game, walking two. He pitched out of a jam in the fourth inning, when he got GTM slugger Reyes to hit a blooper into shallow left field. Adam R hustled out from shortstop to make the catch.
Later, with the bases loaded in the final inning, Michael K snagged an unassisted double play at the plate to end the contest.
The win brought Sir Lord Baltimore's record to 2-4-0.
Right Fielder Megan M said, "We got good."
Asked how she accounts for the win, SLB manager Joan S didn't speechify. "Defense," she said at an after-game celebration.
It didn't hurt when the bats came alive for sluggers Michael K and Adam C, either. Michael had two homers and five RBI. Adam's homer brought in two. If memory serves this reporter, Emery P plated James J with a single in the third inning to get things started for the Sirs.
The game, which lasted roundabout seven innings, didn't start offensively for either team. In the third inning, after SLB went the long way through their entire batting order, only Mike B had managed a base hit, which he did in both of his first attempts.
But after his second hit, he was called out for a casual high-five with first base coach Adam R.
That's when the game changed for the Sirs. James J drew a walk, putting himself at 2nd base and giving speedster Emily B the bag at first. A solid hit from Emery P brought James J back home to tie the score at 1-1. That's when Michael "Three Man Army" K roped his first opposite field homer.
Later in the game, with Joan S on base, Adam C powered one into center field, scoring two. Michael K's last homerun of the game brought the score to 8-1.
The single opposing run came after a bizarre error. After catching an infield fly ball, shortstop Adam R attempted to pickoff the runner at first. The ball rolled under a hole in the fence, so the umpire advanced the runner.
"Of course I feel bad about that play," Adam R said after the game. "If we connect, the inning's over. Instead we put the runner in scoring position. That hurts."
The run was not charged against Sirs pitcher Michael K, who completed the game, walking two. He pitched out of a jam in the fourth inning, when he got GTM slugger Reyes to hit a blooper into shallow left field. Adam R hustled out from shortstop to make the catch.
Later, with the bases loaded in the final inning, Michael K snagged an unassisted double play at the plate to end the contest.
The win brought Sir Lord Baltimore's record to 2-4-0.
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