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On a championship run that seemed like it could only end in glory, Re-Entry lost to Pitches Be Crazy in the most dramatic of championship game losses. It was a frustrating game to say the least, as Re-Entry had a 15-10 lead going into the bottom of the 7th inning, only to lose on a two out walk-off bloop single.

The game was tightly contested for the majority of the contest. In the top of the first, Re-Entry struck first with three runs, including a home-run by all star pitcher Andy. The game was back and forth for the next few innings, with unfortunate circumstances limiting extended rallies. In an RBI position, Carena hit a smoking line drive that Andy couldn't avoid while pitching, ending the third inning. Andy was also called out on a controversial call at the plate while trying for a second home run.

Pitches Be Crazy briefly seized the lead 7-6 in the bottom of the 3rd, though Re-Entry took it back with two more runs in the top of the next frame, only to have Pitches Be Crazy tie it up in the bottom of the 4th. After a scoreless Re-Entry 5th, Pitches Be Crazy took a late game lead to make it 10-8. Re-Entry would answer, however, to tie it up in the top of the 6th, and hold them scoreless in the bottom of the 6th.

The 7th inning, however, would provide drama to end all drama. In a show of pure resilience, Re-Entry had their biggest inning, scoring five runs to take what seemed like a commanding lead. Considering that the Pitches Be Crazy females were not contributing much to the line-up, a victory seemed a short three outs away. Their guys continued their hit parade, but much to the chagrin of the Re-Entry defense, their girl's bats came alive. With Yahoo pulled in at 3rd, one of their weaker hitters had the hit of her life to bloop a single over his head to shallow left. Pitches Be Crazy were showing they weren't going to go down without a fight, but Re-Entry had them on ropes, with a 15-13 lead, two outs, runners on first and second, with a weaker hit up. Sure enough, the ball was dribbled to third (on her third pitch, no less), but an errant throw to first scored the runner at second, and put them within one run of tying with runners on second and third. Once again with two outs, there remained the possibility of a Re-Entry victory, but with a solid hitter at the plate, the tables were now turned. Pitches Be Crazy hitter Erik Bagley blooped a perfectly placed single to shallow left, and the game was done, in mightily painful fashion.

And so a disappointing end to an otherwise fantastic Re-Entry season. Kudos to Pitches Be Crazy for battling back in dramatic fashion, despite all the chippiness between the teams that was prevalent during the game. Stars of the game include Holly with a beautiful line drive barely inside the left field line, Andy and Tim with home runs, and Dave with a 4-4, 2 run day, consisting of a home run, two doubles, and a triple. (On a personal note, the Captain, yours truly, came down with a really nasty flu the week of the game and couldn't contribute anywhere near his normal ability, and struggled merely to focus his vision on one object for the duration of the game. Truly unfortunate timing to physically be at my lowest, but 100% health is never guaranteed.)

While Re-Entry fell just short, this truly one of the better, if not best, teams we have had in recent memory. With a 26 regular season game winning streak and 5th consecutive undefeated regular season, Re-Entry has plenty to be proud of despite coming ever-so-close to reclaiming the Championship shirts.

With Re-entry the visiting team for the second straight week, the offense got the first crack. Unlike last week's slow start, Re-Entry made a statement immediately when Eddie led off with a home run. With solid hitting from the distaff side, and a number of extra base hits from the heart of the Re-Entry lineup, the team nearly batted around. By the end of the inning, Re-Entry had put seven runs on the board. The Ball Smackers got one run back with a massive home run, but Re-Entry continued the onslaught in the second inning. Three runs were already in when Andy stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Andy sent a rocketing line drive out to center field. At first, it looked like the Ball Smackers center fielder would track it down. But, at the last second the line drive sailed a bit. The center fielder got his glove on the ball but the ball was struck so well that it glanced off the fielder's glove and continued on its trajectory. The result was an easy grand slam home run and Re-Entry had its second straight seven-run inning. The Ball Smackers managed to put together a small rally in the bottom of the second, and the score stood at 14--4 in Re-Entry's favor by the end of the second inning.

Although the lead seemed large, we were wary of some of the excellent Ball Smackers hitters. But solid Re-Entry fielding ensured that there was to be no serious Ball Smackers threat for the rest of the game. David provided a number of fielding web gems. Perhaps the most impressive was flagging down a screaming line drive in center field that disappeared into the setting sun until reappearing just before David made the catch. David also played a number of solid innings at 3rd base, chasing down a flair in short left field and almost tracking down another one hit to short left center field.

Meanwhile the Re-Entry bats went silent and by the end of the fifth inning the score stood at 16--5. In the top of the sixth inning, Re-Entry decided to put the game out of reach. With the entire lineup firing on all cylinders, aided by a triple by Eddie (turned into a home run when the Ball Smackers failed to cover home plate) and a second home run by Andy, Re-Entry plated ten runs thereby invoking the ten run rule. The rest of the game was a mere formality, as Re-Entry claimed the 29--7 victory.

Although the men on the team hit quite well, this victory was ensured by terrific at bats and clutch hitting from Laurie, Holly, Carena and Clara. Their efforts provided the glue for the Re-Entry rallies. Re-Entry also welcomed back Turner Nowak who rejoined the team after a fall sabbatical playing for the UCSC Baseball Team. Together, the Re-Entry offense would not be denied. Even though two Re-Entry runners were thrown out at home plate (and Rob was cut down at third base by a former student of his), the Re-Entry victory was never in doubt.

So, Re-Entry advances to the championship game for the second fall season in a row (although this game will take place in winter). If Re-Entry can maintain their offensive and defensive prowess exhibited in this game, we will have a chance to reclaim our first championship since the fall of 2008.

Almost two months after the Fall 2012 playoffs were rained out, Re-Entry was back on the softball fields to defend its perfect regular season record and make a run for the championship T-shirts. Our opponents didn't seem to know their team name, and opted for 2 Legit to Hit as their team moniker. Having not played since November 9 of the previous year, there was plenty of rust to shake off, and the first time through the lineup provided plenty of evidence for the extended time off.

The first inning almost didn't get off the ground, when a heavy fog rolled in unexpectedly (after a beautiful sunny day in the upper 60s). For a short time, it looked like the game would be canceled, as it was difficult to track a fly ball hit into the outfield. But, after conferring with Skippy, the league commissioner, both teams indicated a willingness to play. The fog abated as the game progressed, and the first round of the playoffs was on.

By the end of the second inning, 2 Legit to Hit had an early 2--0 lead, as the Re-Entry bats were remarkably quiet. However, the second time through the Re-Entry lineup, the bats came alive. Re-Entry then was able to put the game on ice rather decisively with nine run innings in the 3rd and 4th. By the end of the contest, Re-Entry had amassed 26 runs, with the help of six team homeruns. Omar, filling in for David, produced two four-baggers, while Eddie, Andy, Yahoo and Carena each had one homerun apiece. Carena's big blow was a lined shot that split the outfielders, with Carena just beating the throw to home in a close and exciting play at the plate.

Hitting honors go to Omar and Eddie. Indeed, Eddie barely missed hitting for the cycle after a single, triple and homerun in three of his first four at-bats. In his next at bat, he would have had his cycle if not for his insistence of stretching a double into a triple with a spectacular slide into third base. Unlike the offense, which took a couple of innings to get going, the Re-Entry defense showed few signs of rust despite the long layoff. The infield defense was solid, with a 4-6-3 double play started by Jessica in the early innings, and nearly a second one pulled off by Howie later in the game (with the umpire refusing to abide by the time honored custom of calling an "in the vicinity" force out at second base for the first out of a double play ground ball). The Re-Entry webgem goes to Holly in left filed who flagged down a towering fly ball, in spite of being called off the play by Andy coming over from left-center field.

In the last three innings, Re-Entry coasted to victory. It was great to get back on the field after such a long absence. Although not yet quite in mid-season form, today's victory provided an important step in our quest for the championship.