Crappers Barely Flush Sluggers 9-8
The Sluggers finished Week Three with a 9-8 loss to the CRP Crappers on Wednesday. StayWell shouldn't be too hard on themselves for this loss, however. CRP went undefeated in 1997, and won the Championship. In 1998, the Crappers only lost one, meaningless game just prior to the playoffs. They already had first place locked up, and again went on to win the Championship. What's more, CRP never scored less than 15 runs in any game last season. The Slugger defense should be proud for keeping these hard hitters to a single-digit score for the first time in over two years. They should also be proud of preventing any scoring in the final two innings and turning a double play on this offensive powerhouse. Two other interesting facts: 1) This is the first time CRP has only hit one home run in a game. 2) StayWell's four home runs is the most CRP has ever allowed in a game.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
The awesome offensive performance of Peter "Howe Did You Like That?" including two home runs and four RBI in two at bats makes him Player of the Week.
And no offensive talk would be complete without including Dan "Dinger" Landesman's second three-run homer of the year. As if to put an exclamation point on this exciting game, Peter "Howe the Hell Are Ya?" and Gene "Gene the Hitting Machine" Fredey combined for back-to-back solo shots.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
Dan "The Man" Landesman also gets props for his amazing, sprinting basket catch of a well-hit foul ball in left field for an important out. Bruce "Bring It On" Brauninger showed why first base is his natural position as he pulled out several key outs in the game. When Bruce "I Finally Got a Nickname" Brauninger re-injured his ham string, Gene "Gene the Stretching Machine" Fredey more than filled Bruce's shoes by figuring in every out of third inning thanks to his limber getaway sticks.
"O" Kay Jones not only made a great catch in right field, but had the presence of mind to sling the ball back to the infield to prevent the runner from scoring. Michelle "Ball first, Bag Second" Fugere snagged a fly ball with ease, made two excellent plays at second base, and nearly turned a 6-4-3 double play. Lisa "Car Wash" Chiuchiolo (she's automatic) pitched a great game against the best hitters in the league. She held them to only 12 hits, one home run, and nine earned runs--all three are record lows for CRP.
HOW IT HAPPENED
CRP came out strong in the first inning, with the first three batters coming in to score. StayWell tied it up in the 2nd with a well-placed base hit from Lisa "Car Wash" Chiuchiolo, a walk from Teresa "The Terror" Murray, and a Peter "Howe Far Did That Go?" three-run dinger.
CRP took the lead again later that inning, and held on to it for the remainder of the contest. Their two-run home run in the third inning was matched by StayWell's three-run shot by Dan "Dinger" Landesman, but the Sluggers' back-to-back shots by Peter "Howe 'Bout Another?" and Gene "Gene the Slugging Machine" fell just short of tying the game in fifth.
Michelle "Shocked" Fugere, once again mesmerized the CRP pitching staff with her hypnotic batting stance to pick up a walk in the 6th, but no one was able to driver her in.
Even though the Slugger defense remained strong enough to keep the Crappers from scoring in the final two innings, the Sluggers were also unable to score in their last two chances.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
"Skip" Vinciguerra's comments immediately following the game were pensive. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again. We've got talent. We've got drive. We've got skill. This season is not over." Skip continued with a tear in his eye and a lump in his throat, "I'm so proud of our team, especially our defense. We've seen a big improvement over last year's performance. I am positive that when we face CRP again in three weeks [on Wednesday, June 23rd], we will flush the Crappers. We've got their number, and their number is up."
The Sluggers next game is against the Shriners Hospital Fez on Wednesday, June 16, at 5:30, again on Field One at the Esplanade.
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