Bombers Win in Seventh, 9-8

BY SPARKY CHALMERS

PARK RIDGE, NJ - Just minutes earlier AE&S had mounted a two-run rally to tie the game before 7th inning—could they have been thinking sweet revenge for the Bomber Championship comeback of 2009? Or were they just concentrating on beating the Pearson League powerhouse for the first time?

Either way, the resilient BEIT squad shook off the AE&S momentum and made the necessary plays to come away with a 9-8 victory. With two outs in the top of the 7th inning, Ian Gold put himself in scoring position with a double and came through with the winning run a pitch later, when Boombox award winner Michael Barbara singled through the left side of the infield.

Of course, a one-run lead in softball is no safer than a sunny day this summer—it can turn to clouds and rain quickly. The insurance for the win looked bleak when AE&S put the leadoff runner on, only three bases away from tying the contest. But the next hitter afforded Janine Lucas the opportunity to make the defensive play of the inning. On a wicked cutter, the AE&S batter swung and popped the ball up behind the plate. Lucas ripped her mask off, spit out a couple sunflower seeds, and made the catch for the first out of the inning. An induced grounder and a fly-ball out later, the Bombers (2-1) earned the victory.

“Holding a good team to eight runs is not easy so I knew our defense was up to the task,” Captain, and first-baseman, Steve Sartori, said. “After the way we played last game we needed a big win, we needed to respond. Winning a one-run game in the last inning was just what we needed.”

Still playing shorthanded, the Bombers needed a complete effort to get back on the winning side of .500. While the manager still figures out who should bat where and continues to switch fielding assignments moments before the first pitch, BEIT is figuring things out on the go. Winning is possible because defense never disappears. Home runs come and go, and players can go through slumps, but good defensive teams always play good defense.

“Chicks dig the long ball, but I also build my team on defense,” owner and general manager, Sally Yagan, said. “I had a long talk with my manager, but I’m happy with the performance from yesterday.”

The Bombers switched Jon Bryant to third base and Brian Mickelson to left field moments before the game, and both performed well in their new positions. Once again Ashlee Bradbury made a nice play on a long fly ball to right center and James Heine provided steady play and leadership from centerfield.

“As a Buckeye, I know that legacies and dynasties are built upon defense,” James Heine said. “In the countless hours since Michigan has last beat Ohio State, defense has ruled the rivalry. I stress to my constituents a combination of focus, discipline, and hustle. If you apply those three things, you can be a great defensive team.”

Familiar Bombers powered the offense with Ian Gold scoring three runs and hitting a two-run homer in the top of the 3rd and Michael Barbara going 3-for-4 with three RBI, including a “Sveny” opposite field inside-the-park home run.

“We haven’t yet had a steady and complete lineup,” second baseman Kim Lovato said. “Sitting at 2-1 with a couple big wins is a nice position to be in.”