Fall 2008 UCSC Intramurals Coed Softball

On a sunny summer-like day with temperatures in the low 70s and with the championship up for grabs, Re-Entry responded with their best performance of the fall season, resulting in a decisive 18--8 win over the Sneaky Elephants. The offense was clicking early and often, and was backed up by a stalwart defense that did not allow their opponents more than two runs in any inning until the final one, at which point the lead was more than secure.

Despite Howie's fly ball out to lead off the game, Lucy singled followed by David's single, and most of the rest of the lineup followed suit. By the end of the top of the first inning, everyone had batted at least once, and seven runs were on the board. However, unlike the semi-finals, Re-Entry was not going to let their opponents get back in the game. Solid defense held the Sneaky Elephants to one run in each of the first two innings. In the top of the third inning, a two-out three-run home run by Howie finished off a five run inning and the rout was on. The Re-Entry offense was impressive given the strong defensive skills of our opponents (some of the Re-Entry outs were due to superb catches by the Sneaky Elephant outfielders). Re-Entry base-running was aggressive, and included a gutsy slide at home by Jessica (in her shorts!) to steal another run. That play earned Jessica the game ball.

By the top of the 6th inning, another three run outburst (including a daring attempt by Rob to score on an RBI single by Howie that succeeded when the catcher failed to apply the tag) pushed the Re-Entry lead to 14 runs. From that point, careful defensive play recorded the six remaining outs to assure Re-Entry of the victory. A smart decision by a Re-Entry batter to end the top of the 7th by grounding into a double play guaranteed sufficient sunlight in the bottom of the 7th to allow Re-Entry to close out the game.

This game was a real team effort, with everyone contributing to the win. Will found his batting stroke with a number of solid line drive hits. Michele frustrated our opponents with some challenging infield rollers that kept two of the big innings alive. The infield with Allison at 3rd base, Rob at 1st, and shortstop and 2nd base covered in turn by Lucy, Jessica and Howie kept their pre-game promise with consistent and smart plays to avoid the big inning. The outfielders, David, Asher, Stefanie, Will and Abe were equally solid, and did not let one ball get by them---an impressive achievement.

Such a decisive win against an excellent Sneaky Elephants team is testament to the outstanding effort on the field by Re-Entry. This team is a worthy successor to the 2007 Re-Entry fall softball champions!

So, Re-Entry prevailed despite some lapses in the solid defense that we have been accustomed to (which allowed two big innings for the Big Bangers), and inconsistent hitting. We faced adversity and overcame it, putting us in the position to defend our 2007 fall softball championship.

In the opening round of the playoffs, the Re-Entry bats were somewhat sluggish at first (presumably due to all that turkey from the previous week). But, the defense was again stingy, shutting down the Porter Pounders w/ Cheese offense during the first five innings. The highlight among many stellar defensive plays was a perfect relay from right field to Lucy at shortstop who then wheeled and fired a laser to third base cutting down a greedy Porter Pounders w/ Cheese runner trying to stretch a double into a triple. Meanwhile, Re-Entry nursed a 4--0 lead until the offense finally got on track with a nine run outburst in the fourth inning, capped by a magnificent grand slam homerun by David that essentially decided the game.

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Dedication

It is with great sadness that I announce that our former teammate, Michael Green, passed away on Thursday October 2. He left us while pursuing one of his other main pastimes---surfing. He will be sorely missed. We dedicate this fall season championship to his memory.