As the dust has settled on the diamond, it's time to pen a tale of softball redemption that would make even the most seasoned sports writer do a double-take. Picture this: a Royals team that stumbled out of the gates with all the grace of a newborn giraffe on ice skates. Swept in their opening games faster than you can say "error," the ominous whispers of a bottom-dwelling destiny began to circulate. But hold onto your hats folks, because in a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, the Royals roared back with a vengeance in last Sunday’s doubleheader. It's as if those initial losses were just scrimmage games, a friendly reminder from the softball gods reminding us to stretch before the real games begin. With more chemistry than a high school science lab and game plan tweaks sharper than a well-thrown curve ball, we showed up ready to play – and play we did. So, to the TSSL Commissioner who sent out the email about those first two games counting: our apologies for not getting the memo. It's not about how you start; it's about how you finish. So, grab your gloves and buckle up, because this Royals’ season is just getting started, and we're here to make some noise.
The Royals leveled their record at 2 – 2 with back-to-back victories, defeating Silverman’s Rangers 14 – 3 and outlasting Garber’s A’s 17 – 14. Leading the charge was Royals’ pitcher, Scott Greenberg, who turned in a dominant pitching performance – surrendering only nine runs over nine innings before a sudden bout of gale force winds intervened, short-circuiting what was a masterful display of control and finesse on the mound.
In the face of a 12 – 15 mph crosswind sweeping from right to left field on field 4, Greenberg turned in a masterpiece in game 1, deftly scattering 11 singles with zero walks across five innings in the victory against the formidable, power-laden Rangers’ lineup, renowned for their 52 homeruns last year. His pitching performance was backed by a stellar defense that executed two flawless 4–6–3 double plays, snuffing out Ranger threats in the second and fifth innings, with shortstop Kyzer Hoover turning both. However, the defensive clinic commenced in the first inning as Royals’ right center fielder, Tommy Apligian gunned down an audacious Ranger baserunner attempting to stretch a single into a double, with second baseman, Adwild Perez applying the tag for the pivotal 9–4 putout. While the Rangers gained an early lead with two runs in the top of the first, the Apligian/Perez web gem minimized the damage and set the tone for the rest of the game.
Drew Waggoner’s RBI double and Andy Wetterlin’s RBI single plated single runs in the bottom of the first and second innings, knotting the score at 2 – 2. After a scoreless top the third, the Royals unleashed an offensive onslaught in the bottom half, cycling through their order with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine. A staggering 14 batters stepped up to the plate, delivering nine hits and tallying nine runs. Hoover ignited the rally with a clutch, one-out, 2-run double with the bases loaded, sparking the explosive scoring spree. However, what truly elevated this performance from impressive to extraordinary was the resilience displayed as seven of those runs crossed the plate with two outs. A testament to their grit and unwavering determination, Ryan Greenberg, Wetterlin, Perez, Larry Lachman, Chris Peterson, Ronel Martinez, and Scott Greenberg each delivered clutch RBI hits – and kept the line moving. Notably, Martinez earned the distinction of going a perfect 2 – 2 in the inning.
Apligian doubled to lead off the bottom of the fourth, advanced to third on Hoover’s single, and both runners came around to score on David Fiorello’s exhilarating inside-the-park homerun, removing all doubt about the outcome of the contest.
In a game where every Royal contributed with a hit and scored a run, the Royals pounded out 17 hits, with seven of them going for extra bases; five doubles, one triple, and one homerun.
Game 1 Offensive Stars
David Fiorello 2 – 3, 2 Runs, 3 RBI, 3-run HR
Kyzer Hoover 2 – 3, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, 2B
Andy Wetterlin 2 – 3, 1 Run, 2 RBI, 2B
Adwild Perez 2 – 3, 1 Run, 2 RBI
Scott Greenberg 2 – 3, 1 Run, 1 RBI
Ronel Martinez 2 – 3, 1 Run, 2B
Drew Waggoner 1 – 2, 1 Run, 1 RBI, BB, 2B
Chris Peterson 1 – 2, 1 Run, 1 RBI
In the nightcap, the Royals traveled to field 2 to take on the A’s, where a reversal in the crosswind saw it blowing steadily from left to right field, and picking up strength. After suffering a narrow 6 – 5 defeat to the White Sox in their earlier matchup, the A’s came into the game with a chip on their shoulder, swiftly seizing a 5 – 2 lead after two innings. However, in a display of defensive prowess in the bottom of the first, Apligian, Peterson, and Wetterlin combined forces to execute a flawless pickle play. Apligian fielded a clean single to right centerfield, and as the runner on second attempted to score, Apligian threw a strike to Peterson at home plate. The runner was just short of the commitment line as Peterson ran toward him, and as the runner headed back to third, Peterson gunned him down for the 9–2–5 putout, effectively halting the A’s momentum in its tracks.
Peterson’s RBI single, a pair of sacrifice flies, and Hoover’s second RBI double of the day accounted for all five of the Royals’ runs in the second and third innings tying the game at 5 – 5.
With the score deadlocked heading to the top of the fourth, the Royals erupted for eight runs as they cycled through their lineup for the second time in the doubleheader, sending 13 batters to the plate. Two bases-on-balls and an error loaded the bases for Martinez, who stroked a 2-run single to make it 7 – 5. Another walk reloaded the bases and set the stage for Waggoner’s pivotal at-bat. The tension was palpable as Justin Howard delivered a full-count pitch to the Royals’ slugger. As Waggoner whipped his bat through the strike zone and unleashed a majestic blast against the crosswind, there was little doubt of the ball’s destination as it traced an arc through the cloudless, sundrenched sky, slamming 4.4 seconds later into the netting behind the fence. The Grand Slam ignited the Royals’ dugout, extending their lead to 11 – 5. Not to be outdone, Hoover followed suit with a 2-run homer of his own, further extending the Royals’ lead to 13 – 5.
The Royals continued to pile on the pressure, tacking on four more runs in the fifth inning as Hoover capped his outstanding day with his third RBI double, bringing his total RBI count to seven for the doubleheader.
With over five minutes left in the game, the Royals took what appeared to be a comfortable 17 – 6 lead into the bottom of the fifth. Through nine innings pitched, Greenberg had been in control. As hard as the wind was blowing during game 1, it felt 10 – 15 mph stronger as game 2 progressed. The gale force winds transformed the field into a swirling vortex of chaos, where routine fly balls became high-stakes adventures and pitches took unexpected detours. The 11-run lead evaporated as the A’s displayed tremendous character and heart, rallying for eight runs in the inning. Despite the meteorological mischief, Greenberg's resilience never wavered. With nerves of steel and an unwavering focus, he summoned his best pitches, culminating in a crucial strikeout of the last A's batter who represented the tying run at the plate, sealing the Royals’ victory, and completing their remarkable doubleheader sweep.
Game 2 Offensive Stars
Kyzer Hoover 3 – 4, 2 Runs, 5 RBI, (2) 2B, 2-run HR
Drew Waggoner 1 – 3, 2 Runs, 4 RBI, BB, Grand Slam
Scott Greenberg 3 – 3, 3 Runs, 1 RBI, BB, 3B
Chris Peterson 2 – 2, 2 Runs, 1 RBI, BB
Andy Wetterlin 2 – 3, 1 Run
Ronel Martinez 2 – 4, 2 Runs, 2 RBI
David Fiorello 2 – 4
Adwild Perez 1 – 2, 1 Run, BB
Breezing Through: Waggoner, Hoover, and Fiorello Power Resilient Royals’ Doubleheader Sweep
