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Stros Clinch Top Seed; Win 8th Straight

By JJ Eusay, 05/31/21, 5:15PM CDT

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On April 25 our squad walked out of Spirit Park dejected after a 20-2 thrashing by a depleted Red Sox squad.  In one of the wackiest games I have ever been part of, we learned something extremely valuable.  In Shalom League, you have to bring your best each time out.  Since that game, we have rattled off eight straight and improved to 18-3 since an 0-3 start to the season.  The most impressive thing during this stretch has been the late inning heroics.  In six of the eight wins, we trailed going into the final at bat and found a way to pull out the wins.  The bottom of the lineup has been lethal, starting most of those rallies.  We went into Sunday needing one win to clinch the first ever Bob Weinfeld Division.  The task would be a challenge, facing two of the top teams from the Silverman Division and missing three regulars.  

Game 1:  vs. Dyers Tacos

Captain of the Year candidate Craig Dyer has had his team rolling for most of the season before their latest rough patch.  Their dugout was notably much more calm and relaxed without the captains verbal sparring partner present, Cuddles Haas.  We would jump out to an early 4-1 lead in the first thanks to a 3-run bomb by Jason "Chappy" Chapman.  However, Jon Banta held our bats in check and allowed them to build a four run lead on a grand slam by rookie Luke Morgan.  We answered with 3 in the bottom of the third to tie it at seven.  After a scoreless fourth inning by both squads, the Tacos delivered what appeared to be the fatal blow.  With the game tied and two outs in the top of the fifth, they put up a 4 spot to take what seemed to be a commanding lead.  However, Turbo Golden did what he has been doing all season by starting a rally that would lead to us tying the game at 11.  Dyer's squad would not relent and were aided by yours truly muffing a routine fly ball to SS that would have ended the inning with the game tied.  However, they took full advantage and put up two runs with the bottom of the Stros order due up.  As they have done all season, the bottom of the order went to work.  Back to back lead off singles from Kelly "Flash" Welton and sub Adwild Perez put the tying run on base.  After a fly ball out, Turbo Golden does it yet again with a single to load the bases.  Alfredo Sardo then hits what could be a double play ball to second base, but was misplayed and allowed a run to score.  With the winning run on second and the bases loaded, Banta had to pitch to Justin Reed who made it count.  Reed drilled a walk off bomb to complete the comeback and clinch the division championship!  

Game 2: @ Miller's Mariners

This game was shaping up to be one to watch.  Two of the hottest teams on a field with the wind blowing out was sure to be must see softball.  In the first meeting earlier in the season , we lost in extra innings.  We jumped out to a quick 3-run lead on a big bomb by Justin Reed and RBI single from super sub Dave Johnson.  The Mariners would answer quickly with a two spot followed by a six run second inning to build an 8-4 lead.  Flash back to the first meeting and the Mariners scored six in the first and didn't score again until the 8th to win it.  In similar fashion, John Burke would tighten the screws and hold their big bats to just two runs over the next four innings.  On the flip side, Mariners ace and captain John Miller would do the same.  After scoring three in the third to get within a run, Miller held us scoreless for three straight innings.  Here we go again!  Top of the seventh inning, trailing by three, and haven't scored in three innings.  We had them right where we wanted them.  Yep!  You guessed it!  Turbo Golden starts the inning with a single up the middle, his second of the game.  Sardi kept the rally going with a double and was followed by a double from the captain, putting the tying run on second with one out.  "Backside" Dave Johnson did what he had done all day and singled through the right side and driving in the run to tie it at 10.  John Burke struggled at the plate all day, but came through with the HUGE go ahead RBI single.  Flash Welton added one more for insurance with a single.  Burke would shut them down in the bottom of the seventh for the win.  Eight in a row!  Another incredible comeback win!

Stars of the Day-

Jeremy "Turbo" Golden- 4 for 6, 4 single, RBI, 3 R and sparking the rally in BOTH wins!

Afredo Sardi- 6 for 8, 2 Doubles, 4 singles, 3 RBI and incredible dugout spirit and energy.  He is the sparkplug that makes this machine run.