Coming into the last week of regular season play on the outside looking in, the Trash Pandas were trying to overcome all the oh-so-close one run division losses (3) and get into the tournament.  A play here or there and we could be unbeaten in the Lynn division--big ifs and big buts.  Facing the underrated Monarchs led by Spring champion captain Abbey Garber (playing without subs for the first time all season!) and ace hurler John Burke, all the pressure was on us.

Game 1:

The visiting TPs got off to a fast start, something that has worked well for us all season.  Consecutive singles by the speedy Jacob and Josh Forniglia followed by a big Chenz triple scored 2. Greeley SACed in Vinnie, then consecutive singles by captain Alexander and Glossy set the table for a 4 run inning when Kennin Doyle let his hair down and singled in another run.  The defense made quick work of the Monarchs top and we had a 4-0 lead after one inning played.

The good guys picked up another run in the second when rookie sensation Vinnie Terhune singled in speedy Jacob Forniglia. Again the defense held in the bottom half and the score was 5-0 Pandas.

The third inning was big for both teams.  The confident Trash Pandas broke out for 7 runs, batting all the way around the lineup.  The inning started with an Alexander double, Glossy single, 2 RBI Dan "MVD" Mele double, and another Doyle single.  Travis "Zoolander" Olander picked up a RBI on a fielder's choice, then it was the Forniglia show again... wily "Uncle" Ronn singled, Jacob singled, and Joshua blasted a 3 RBI double.  Chenz moved a step closer to hitting for the cycle when he smoked a RBI double .  After 3 outs when the dust cleared, we led 12-0!

Then the Monarchs hit some HRs, details are sketchy as I repressed those memories.  12-6 after 3 innings played.

The TPs added 2 more runs in the fourth when Kennin Doyle scored Glossy and Zoolander scored Doyle, an efficient 2 runs on 3 hits and good base running.  A solid defensive effort followed and it was 14-6 after four innings played.

The fifth inning was quiet, but we added 3 more runs to seal the deal in the sixth, highlighted by the rousing spectacle of rookie Chuck Taylor chugging around the bases on a bad leg after his outfielder burning RBI triple, not his last of the day. 

Final score 17-9 Trash Pandas.

Panda Prodigies: 

Jacob Forniglia  4-4 with 3 runs

Joshua Forniglia  4-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 runs

Kennin Doyle  4-4, 3 RBI, 2 runs

Chenz  3-4, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI

Alexander  3-4, 2 doubles, 3 runs

Mike Glosier  3-4, 2 runs

Peering from our field to the next one over, I could see we needed to win again to control our own destiny and punch our playoff ticket.  This time we were home team, and the Monarchs were trying to spoil it for us.

After giving up 3 in the top of the first, the Trash Pandas responded with 4 of our own.  Hot hitting continued as Josh F, Chenz, Greeley, Alexander and Glossy all reached based consecutively. 4-3 us after one.

In the top of the second Garber's no-quit squad got 3 more runs, taking the lead again.  We could only respond with 1 of our own after another Chuck "where you been all season" Taylor triple and Uncle Ronn SAC.  6-5 Monarchs after two.

The defense held strong in the third inning and the bats came to life.  Chenz started it off with another double, Greeley followed with a RBI single, el capitan moved him up with a single, Glossy got another RBI single, and Zoolander got the final RBI of the inning with a crafty single.  8-6 Trash Pandas after three.

After giving up only one in the top half of the fourth, the TPs resembled butter (on a roll) and the bats remained warm.  We picked up 3 more hard-fought runs on a double by Jacob F and consecutive singles by Chenz, Greeley, Alexander and Glosier.  11-7 us after four.

Things got a little dicey in the top of the fifth when the fiesty Monarchs tied it up with 4 runs of their own.  Rumor has it John Burke hit a fence bomb in his last at bat of the season--I can confirm the veracity of that claim.  Needing only one run to win and ice the much needed sweep, big-baller Vinnie "Chenz" Terhune stepped up to the plate and took matters into his own hands, launching one where nobody could catch it--walk-off, playoff clinching bomb.  The crowd goes wild!

Kudos to Abbey and the Monarchs for a hard-fought series, they really played great. Lance Lassen is for real, the legendary Wu is back, and Burke hits bombs.

Panda IPOW candidates: 

Chenz  7-8, 3 doubles, triple, 5 runs, 6 RBI, walk-off HR winner! Super hustle and face paint on point. Season BA leader.

Mike Glosier  6-7, 2 runs, 3 RBI and great SS play coming back from a bum ankle (*he's not a SS).

Jacob Forniglia  6-8, double, 4 runs, speedy lead-off and a tough out on this day.

Your Temple Shalom Trash Pandas look forward to putting our best effort together for a tough playoff matchup this weekend.  Let's all have some fun!