Bombers Repeat in Powerful Fashion
BY SPARKY CHALMERS
By definition the word juggernaut is used to describe a literal or metaphorical force regarded as unstoppable. Following a 26-19 victory over rival Corporate Accounting in the Pearson Softball Championship, it’s safe to say B&E is the resident juggernaut of Park Ridge.
The Bombers have rolled through the past three summers blasting monster home runs and celebrating to the sweet sounds of the boombox, but a familiar foe has always stood in the way. Corporate Accounting defeated the heavily favored Bombers in the 2008 Championship and left an indelible mark in each B&E heart. Until yesterday, Corporate Accounting had rolled off five straight victories against a team that stood 23-1 against the rest of the league.
“There couldn’t have been a more fitting ending to a great season,” Captain Patrice Jones said. “They are a really great team. They have good talent, play smart, and limit their mistakes. If you are going to beat them, you are going to have to really beat them.”
Wise words from P90 Jones indeed because the Bombers decided to not leave this one to chance. They decided after five straight losses it was time to flex some muscle and dig in for a severe bludgeoning.
Patrice Jones, Ian Gold, and Michael Barbara had back-to-back-to-back homers in the first inning. Then Patrice Jones, Ian Gold, and Michael Barbara had back-to-back-to-back homers in the second inning. The impact blindsided a Corporate Accounting team that is used to playing with a lead and not fetching balls out of the woods—back-to-back-to-back times.
“It’s not a secret, they are our rivals,” pitcher Ian Gold said. “Even though we were the defending champions, beating Corporate Accounting validates the title.”
Gold won the final boombox award of the year, smashing four home runs over the left field wall and going 5-for-5 at the plate and finishing with eight RBI. Patrice Jones added another moon-shot to finish with three blasts on the day (nine for the team if you’ve got good math).
The Bomber offense was relentless, showing evidence of how it earned the nickname.
Full of big league chew, the beautiful-nightmare trio of Janine Lucas, Elisabeth Scarpa, and Kim Lovato continued their playoff dominance and were dangerous weapons at the plate.
Even after getting hit with a ball in three straight playoff games, getting ran over by a Mack Truck at second base and overdosing on sugar—the trio persevered and earned the chance to drink from the cup.
“So we have a couple bruises,” Lovato said. “For the next 10 months we are the champions, there is nothing anybody can do to change that.”
Speaking of Mack’s, Mack Patterson stepped in and played the best softball of his three year career in the playoffs. The strong-armed lefty closed out a blanket of an outfield and found his Ryan Howard stroke at the right time.
Jason Calcano and Eric Svendsen not only shined on defense but used their ludicrous speed on the bases to tack on runs in the blink of an eye.
Despite looking like Orlando Bloom on steroids, James Heine used opposite field contact to leg out extra base hits. And although Usain Bolt to Calcano and Svendsen’s Secretariat, Heine is also very fast on the bases.
“We work hard in the off-season,” Eric Svendsen said. “Sabella isn’t afraid to fine us if we come to camp out of shape. You have to exercise and eat right, the miles on the treadmill and the steady diet of Chicken Fiesta finally paid off.”
And last, but not least, Tim Galligan is a rock. Through the entire season when the going got tough, the Bombers could always count on their burly first-baseman. Nicknamed the North Star because of his consistency, Galligan is the proverbial first to arrive and last to leave.
Corporate Accounting tried to catch its collective breath to rally—but a crisp defensive effort and a constant attack forced them to stare up at a progressively greater deficit.
The no. 1 seed in the playoffs were shell-shocked until the last inning where they attempted to come back from a 26-8 deficit—and valiant as it was, the hole was too deep to climb out of.
“Whether this was your third Bomber year or your first, beating Corporate Accounting in the last game of the year, you know what that Championship meant,” Calcano said.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
We Goin to The Ship!
Wave of Emotion Carries Bombers in Semifinals
BY SPARKY CHALMERS
For unexplained reasons, B&E was flatter than monthly birthday party singing voices (excluding Elena, of course). The defending champions’ searched for life and found it in the form of an uncanny big play, a well-timed cheer, and an emotional pep talk. Afterwards the Bombers found their mojo and rallied to a 15-9 victory over Health and Careers in Park Ridge.
The 10 in the field weren’t smiling. The 10 in the dugout weren’t cheering the one at the plate; and it didn’t add up. After all, this was the semifinals and a golden ticket to square off with Corporate Accounting in the Pearson Softball Championship—well, at least that’s what right-fielder Elisabeth Scarpa was thinking anyway.
It was the bottom of the third inning and B&E was staring up at three-run deficit. With one out and a runner on third, H&C hit a long fly ball to left-field and the runner tagged up to score. Eric Svendsen caught the fly and unleashed a rocket of a throw at the plate where pitcher Ian Gold was covering. Gold jumped up and grabbed the throw and pinned it down on the runner before H&C could tack on more runs.
“We just got the awesome play we needed,” Scarpa said. “But we still needed something else. I said to Patrice (Jones), ‘We need to get going, we need a pep talk,’ and he obliged in a big way.”
Jones brought the entire team together and delivered a Rockne-type effort. And even after jeers from opposing pitcher Ray Constantine, the Bombers were hyped and ready to deliver.
Gold led off the inning with a home run.
Michael Barbara followed immediately with a home run of his own.
And before the top of the 4th inning concluded the Bombers had a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“Everybody started having fun and that coincided with consistent hits and big plays in the field,” catcher Janine Lucas said. “Once we captured the momentum we made sure to keep our concentration and energy up.”
Lucas called a tight game from behind the plate and went 2-for-3 at the plate (and 2-for-2 in getting hit with hard-thrown balls in the playoffs).
Despite continued threats from opposing Captain Jackie Zupic to chew the Bombers up and spit them out, B&E continued to tack on runs courtesy of hard hits and hustle on the bases. Kim Lovato and James Heine finished a combined 7-for-8 in the middle of the lineup and continuously advanced runners, putting pressure on the defense.
Meanwhile, the Bombers defense played Little Rascals and Stymied Health and Careers at the plate. Motivated by a Sun Tzu quote from the Art of War, B&E strung together scoreless 4th, 5th and 6th innings.
“Tzu said ‘Invincibility lies in the defense,’ if we can close out that many innings I like our chances,” Svendsen said. “The league looks at us as being the team with the most power, but we’re also the team that gave up the least runs in the league.”
The Bombers were three outs from moving to the Championship but Health and Careers had their second consecutive walkoff-win in mind. They had come from behind against HSS to get to the semifinals, and they had no quit in mind. They threatened the entire inning, loading the bases with the top of the order looming. They even had James Heine make Gold field a ball and run home for a force out when none was available (and all the idiot had to do was throw to first and end the game).
The Bombers did get vindication when the next batter popped out to Gold at the mound, sending the team to the third straight Championship and a chance to repeat as Pearson League Champions.
Last year B&E had the sweet taste of total victory (and beer from a cheap bronze trophy)—and if the first two playoff games are any evidence, they are hungry as ever to do it all again.
BY SPARKY CHALMERS
For unexplained reasons, B&E was flatter than monthly birthday party singing voices (excluding Elena, of course). The defending champions’ searched for life and found it in the form of an uncanny big play, a well-timed cheer, and an emotional pep talk. Afterwards the Bombers found their mojo and rallied to a 15-9 victory over Health and Careers in Park Ridge.
The 10 in the field weren’t smiling. The 10 in the dugout weren’t cheering the one at the plate; and it didn’t add up. After all, this was the semifinals and a golden ticket to square off with Corporate Accounting in the Pearson Softball Championship—well, at least that’s what right-fielder Elisabeth Scarpa was thinking anyway.
It was the bottom of the third inning and B&E was staring up at three-run deficit. With one out and a runner on third, H&C hit a long fly ball to left-field and the runner tagged up to score. Eric Svendsen caught the fly and unleashed a rocket of a throw at the plate where pitcher Ian Gold was covering. Gold jumped up and grabbed the throw and pinned it down on the runner before H&C could tack on more runs.
“We just got the awesome play we needed,” Scarpa said. “But we still needed something else. I said to Patrice (Jones), ‘We need to get going, we need a pep talk,’ and he obliged in a big way.”
Jones brought the entire team together and delivered a Rockne-type effort. And even after jeers from opposing pitcher Ray Constantine, the Bombers were hyped and ready to deliver.
Gold led off the inning with a home run.
Michael Barbara followed immediately with a home run of his own.
And before the top of the 4th inning concluded the Bombers had a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“Everybody started having fun and that coincided with consistent hits and big plays in the field,” catcher Janine Lucas said. “Once we captured the momentum we made sure to keep our concentration and energy up.”
Lucas called a tight game from behind the plate and went 2-for-3 at the plate (and 2-for-2 in getting hit with hard-thrown balls in the playoffs).
Despite continued threats from opposing Captain Jackie Zupic to chew the Bombers up and spit them out, B&E continued to tack on runs courtesy of hard hits and hustle on the bases. Kim Lovato and James Heine finished a combined 7-for-8 in the middle of the lineup and continuously advanced runners, putting pressure on the defense.
Meanwhile, the Bombers defense played Little Rascals and Stymied Health and Careers at the plate. Motivated by a Sun Tzu quote from the Art of War, B&E strung together scoreless 4th, 5th and 6th innings.
“Tzu said ‘Invincibility lies in the defense,’ if we can close out that many innings I like our chances,” Svendsen said. “The league looks at us as being the team with the most power, but we’re also the team that gave up the least runs in the league.”
The Bombers were three outs from moving to the Championship but Health and Careers had their second consecutive walkoff-win in mind. They had come from behind against HSS to get to the semifinals, and they had no quit in mind. They threatened the entire inning, loading the bases with the top of the order looming. They even had James Heine make Gold field a ball and run home for a force out when none was available (and all the idiot had to do was throw to first and end the game).
The Bombers did get vindication when the next batter popped out to Gold at the mound, sending the team to the third straight Championship and a chance to repeat as Pearson League Champions.
Last year B&E had the sweet taste of total victory (and beer from a cheap bronze trophy)—and if the first two playoff games are any evidence, they are hungry as ever to do it all again.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Bombers Survive and Advance, 19-12
BY SPARKY CHALMERS
Tension mounts in the late summer, football is about to start and it’s the Pearson Softball Playoffs. One loss and the season is done – one win, and rest up for a game the next day. But as grizzled defending champions, B&E fought off a ferocious attack from PT and earned a 19-12 victory yesterday in Ramsey.
The Bombers raced out to a 14-6 lead after four innings in large behalf to clutch hitting from the heart of the order. Jason Calcano set the tone early with a seeing-eye triple, Elisabeth Scarpa took a walk and then Patrice Jones hit one of his mammoth shots that disrupted traffic on a typically quiet suburban street.
“If you have to play Frogger to go and get the ball, it’s a home run,” Director of Baseball Operations Melissa Sabella said.
In later innings the Bombers would lean on their experience to grind out a pair of two-out rallies. With two outs already registered, Michael Barbara, Ian Gold (who was fighting off wicked heat exhaustion while trying to break a sweat record with the Guinness Book of World Records), Janine Lucas (who is receiving the purple heart for injuries earned in battle) and Brian Reilly dug in and produced.
“When the bases are empty sometimes there is more pressure to produce,” Reilly said following a single that brought in two runs. “When there are runners on second and third, all I need is to hit a solid line drive and we score twice.”
Reilly in particular fought off mean early pitches to place balls in the outfield that scored critical runs.
Heading into the top of the fifth inning, B&E assumed that a strong half inning of defense would earn them a mercy rule and get them to the bar before happy hour ended. Instead, strong hitting from PT brought them back from the jaws of defeat. New life sprung into the underdog team and they started to smell an upset three years in the making.
“The series between us and PT has been one-sided up to this point,” Captain Patrice Jones said. “But all a team like that needs is one spark and they become very dangerous.”
When the Bombers believed they would be heading home, they were caught in the middle of a two-run game heading into the last innings couple innings.
In defending champion fashion they tacked on insurance runs. Melinda Haggerty worked on her cardio after a Jason Calcano inside-the-park homer. And James Heine was kind enough to wake up pitcher Ian Gold and allow him to drive in two additional runs.
B&E will continue the one-and-done format tonight against Health and Careers in Park Ridge at 5:30. Health and Careers beat the Bombers in their only meeting of the season.
Tension mounts in the late summer, football is about to start and it’s the Pearson Softball Playoffs. One loss and the season is done – one win, and rest up for a game the next day. But as grizzled defending champions, B&E fought off a ferocious attack from PT and earned a 19-12 victory yesterday in Ramsey.
The Bombers raced out to a 14-6 lead after four innings in large behalf to clutch hitting from the heart of the order. Jason Calcano set the tone early with a seeing-eye triple, Elisabeth Scarpa took a walk and then Patrice Jones hit one of his mammoth shots that disrupted traffic on a typically quiet suburban street.
“If you have to play Frogger to go and get the ball, it’s a home run,” Director of Baseball Operations Melissa Sabella said.
In later innings the Bombers would lean on their experience to grind out a pair of two-out rallies. With two outs already registered, Michael Barbara, Ian Gold (who was fighting off wicked heat exhaustion while trying to break a sweat record with the Guinness Book of World Records), Janine Lucas (who is receiving the purple heart for injuries earned in battle) and Brian Reilly dug in and produced.
“When the bases are empty sometimes there is more pressure to produce,” Reilly said following a single that brought in two runs. “When there are runners on second and third, all I need is to hit a solid line drive and we score twice.”
Reilly in particular fought off mean early pitches to place balls in the outfield that scored critical runs.
Heading into the top of the fifth inning, B&E assumed that a strong half inning of defense would earn them a mercy rule and get them to the bar before happy hour ended. Instead, strong hitting from PT brought them back from the jaws of defeat. New life sprung into the underdog team and they started to smell an upset three years in the making.
“The series between us and PT has been one-sided up to this point,” Captain Patrice Jones said. “But all a team like that needs is one spark and they become very dangerous.”
When the Bombers believed they would be heading home, they were caught in the middle of a two-run game heading into the last innings couple innings.
In defending champion fashion they tacked on insurance runs. Melinda Haggerty worked on her cardio after a Jason Calcano inside-the-park homer. And James Heine was kind enough to wake up pitcher Ian Gold and allow him to drive in two additional runs.
B&E will continue the one-and-done format tonight against Health and Careers in Park Ridge at 5:30. Health and Careers beat the Bombers in their only meeting of the season.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Bombers End Regular Season in Style
BY SPARKY CHALMERS
AE&S donned brand new athletic-imitation, flashy jerseys, but it was B&E that stole the spotlight yesterday in Park Ridge. In the final game of the regular season the Bombers put together a fantastic all-around effort and finished off last years’ runner up 22-4.
The game’s first few innings weren’t indicative of the blowout to be. In fact AE&S, held the Bombers (5-3) to a single run for the first three innings—but, while 22 runs looks impressive, it was the Bombers defense that earned the victory.
“Chispeamos realmente en el campo hoy y pienso que frustró eventual AE&S ese ellos couldn't consigue cualquier cosa lograda ofensivo,” shortstop and new Boombox Chain recipient Jason Calcano said. “Si jugamos la defensa como eso en las segundas fases seremos una salida resistente.”
And Calcano was right! The stifling defense frustrated a strong AE&S team. If you hold the Bomber lineup to four runs through four innings, and still find you’re trailing—its mucho deflating.
Deflating as a nail gun because the offense was coming. Michael Barbara hit a series of doubles and Steve Sartori celebrated his 31st birthday with clutch RBI and a towering homer to centerfield that even got a cheer from his toughest critics.
“Yeah Daddy!” yelled Ben Sartori. “Can I have a cupcake now?!” asked Zach Sartori.
Before Sartori’s shot to center, the Bomber offense got a Red Bull infustion from hits at the back of the order. Dan Sandin started a seven-run inning with a solid line drive to centerfield and was advanced by a similar shot from Brian Reilly. A collective cheer was heard from a neighborhood climbing wall.
“Performance Enhancing Drugs are a thing of the past, Performance Enhancing Hair-Clips are the wave of the future,” outfielder and Sandin’s stylist Melinda Haggerty said referring to a brief stretch where Sandin donated his wavy locks to beauty science.
Both Sandin and Reilly would come through to score on a RBI single to right field from Susan Osterlitz. It was a breakthrough performance from Osterlitz who took advantage of a pitcher who obviously didn’t know and didn’t learn that she likes to hit the ball to right field.
“Right field,” Osterlitz said with a karate chop motion and a point to the sky.
After stretching the lead to a ten-run rule into the 6th, the Bombers were challenged by AE&S.
“You want to quit?” they mocked.
The puzzled B&E team just took the field after technically winning and once again, shut down the Green and Yellow threat. With runners on first and second, the Bombers managed to get three straight put-outs at third base—and boy did James Heine look good standing on third catching the ball. Like Michelangelo’s David, but taller and more muscular, with hair gel, and a baseball glove, Heine sucked in those throws with an almost irresponsible flair.
“I just thank my lucky stars that we found the field,” Project Manager Kelly Loftus said. “I had to postpone my lease signing, and I wasn’t sure I’d get the chance to watch James stand on third. What a relief that was for Mary Kate, Claudia, and I.”
Following the extra inning, the Bombers once again continued to put runs on the board—another nine to be exact. Eric Svendsen not only created the power with his bat but with his wisdom. “Just hit a home run,” he said to his team. And for the most part it worked, as hard hits started pouring out of the dugout, sending runs around the bases.
Jason Calcano played pretty well too. He hit a couple homers or something.
Playoffs Are Here
Starting next week the Bombers can no longer afford a loss. B&E will not get a first round bye in the playoffs like the last two seasons and will need to defend their championship with a brutal stretch through a single elimination playoff. Schedules expected later this week.
AE&S donned brand new athletic-imitation, flashy jerseys, but it was B&E that stole the spotlight yesterday in Park Ridge. In the final game of the regular season the Bombers put together a fantastic all-around effort and finished off last years’ runner up 22-4.
The game’s first few innings weren’t indicative of the blowout to be. In fact AE&S, held the Bombers (5-3) to a single run for the first three innings—but, while 22 runs looks impressive, it was the Bombers defense that earned the victory.
“Chispeamos realmente en el campo hoy y pienso que frustró eventual AE&S ese ellos couldn't consigue cualquier cosa lograda ofensivo,” shortstop and new Boombox Chain recipient Jason Calcano said. “Si jugamos la defensa como eso en las segundas fases seremos una salida resistente.”
And Calcano was right! The stifling defense frustrated a strong AE&S team. If you hold the Bomber lineup to four runs through four innings, and still find you’re trailing—its mucho deflating.
Deflating as a nail gun because the offense was coming. Michael Barbara hit a series of doubles and Steve Sartori celebrated his 31st birthday with clutch RBI and a towering homer to centerfield that even got a cheer from his toughest critics.
“Yeah Daddy!” yelled Ben Sartori. “Can I have a cupcake now?!” asked Zach Sartori.
Before Sartori’s shot to center, the Bomber offense got a Red Bull infustion from hits at the back of the order. Dan Sandin started a seven-run inning with a solid line drive to centerfield and was advanced by a similar shot from Brian Reilly. A collective cheer was heard from a neighborhood climbing wall.
“Performance Enhancing Drugs are a thing of the past, Performance Enhancing Hair-Clips are the wave of the future,” outfielder and Sandin’s stylist Melinda Haggerty said referring to a brief stretch where Sandin donated his wavy locks to beauty science.
Both Sandin and Reilly would come through to score on a RBI single to right field from Susan Osterlitz. It was a breakthrough performance from Osterlitz who took advantage of a pitcher who obviously didn’t know and didn’t learn that she likes to hit the ball to right field.
“Right field,” Osterlitz said with a karate chop motion and a point to the sky.
After stretching the lead to a ten-run rule into the 6th, the Bombers were challenged by AE&S.
“You want to quit?” they mocked.
The puzzled B&E team just took the field after technically winning and once again, shut down the Green and Yellow threat. With runners on first and second, the Bombers managed to get three straight put-outs at third base—and boy did James Heine look good standing on third catching the ball. Like Michelangelo’s David, but taller and more muscular, with hair gel, and a baseball glove, Heine sucked in those throws with an almost irresponsible flair.
“I just thank my lucky stars that we found the field,” Project Manager Kelly Loftus said. “I had to postpone my lease signing, and I wasn’t sure I’d get the chance to watch James stand on third. What a relief that was for Mary Kate, Claudia, and I.”
Following the extra inning, the Bombers once again continued to put runs on the board—another nine to be exact. Eric Svendsen not only created the power with his bat but with his wisdom. “Just hit a home run,” he said to his team. And for the most part it worked, as hard hits started pouring out of the dugout, sending runs around the bases.
Jason Calcano played pretty well too. He hit a couple homers or something.
Playoffs Are Here
Starting next week the Bombers can no longer afford a loss. B&E will not get a first round bye in the playoffs like the last two seasons and will need to defend their championship with a brutal stretch through a single elimination playoff. Schedules expected later this week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)