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The third time was not the charm. Playing in our fourth consecutive Championship game, and attempting to achieve the first three-peat since 1996--1997, Re-Entry went up against an inspired Team Musashi who had already halted the Re-Entry 37 consecutive regular season game winning streak earlier this spring. Re-Entry scored 10 of its 12 runs with two outs, as it made a valiant effort to keep pace with the Team Musashi offensive machine. Unfortunately, the Re-Entry offense could not maintain the two-out magic in the bottom of the 6th inning, as it left the bases loaded with two outs with the tying run at the plate. Ultimately, Team Musashi prevailed by a score of 18--12, and left Re-Entry one victory short of its ultimate goal.

Re-Entry's only loss in the regular season came at the hands of Team Musashi. The Championship Game provided Re-Entry with a second opportunity. Unfortunately, Team Musashi put on an impressive hitting clinic, leaving Re-Entry with the task of playing catch-up. The Re-Entry hitters did manage to provide some clutch hitting, producing 10 RBIs with two outs! But, Re-Entry scored no runs in four of the seven innings, and thus was not able to produce enough offense to overtake Team Musashi.

In the top of the first inning, Team Musashi struck first for five runs before any outs were made. The damage could have been greater. But, Clara playing second made two critical plays. On a pop-up behind second base with the bases loaded, Clara quickly moved deftly to her right to track down the ball, and then alertly headed to second base to tag the bag before the Team Musashi runner could recover, thereby completing an unassisted double play and earning a webgem. The next batter hit a hot ground ball in Clara's direction, but she was up to the task. Fielding it cleanly, she threw the runner out at first base to end the inning.

Already down five runs, Re-Entry responded in the bottom of the first. Yahoo launched a line drive to deep left field. The left fielder made a valiant attempt to reach the ball but it grazed off his glove and got past the left-center fielder backing up the play. The end result was a homerun, and Re-Entry was on the board. Two quick outs followed, but Re-Entry was just getting started. Back to back doubles by Laurie and Omar followed by an RBI single by Alexa brought the Re-Entry run total to 3. Howie then laced a double down the right field line, and suddenly Re-Entry had runners at second and third. Pauline then drove in two runs with sharp single to center field, with Howie just beating the throw home. Re-Entry had tied the score, which now stood at 5--5.

Re-Entry held Team Musashi scoreless in the second inning. The defensive highlight and webgem occurred on a single to Laurie in right field. The Team Musashi batter attempted to stretch the single into a double. But, a perfect throw by Laurie to the shortstop Howie covering second arrived simultaneously with the runner. The runner attempted to avoid the tag, and actually overran second base, at which point Howie was able to tag him out. In the bottom of the second, Re-Entry put two runners on with two outs, but the two out magic was not there this time, and Re-Entry was held scoreless as well.

The heart of the Team Musashi lineup returned to bat in the third inning, and a few defensive lapses along with superb Team Musashi hitting resulted in six runs. Both the Team Musashi men and women were hitting line drives to the outfield gaps, and their hitters deserve full credit for an impressive offensive display. The damage could have been worse. Omar, playing third, charged a slowly hit ground ball. As he fielded it, he tripped as he was getting ready to throw to first. Desperately trying to maintain his balance, Omar finally gave in to the inevitable, but somehow managed a shovel throw to first just before hitting the turf. Remarkably, the throw was on target and beat the runner for the third out of the inning. Meanwhile in the bottom of the third inning, an opening single by Yahoo was immediately erased by a double play by the outstanding Team Musashi shortstop. The score stood 11--5 in favor of Team Musashi at the end of the third inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, Re-Entry realigned their defensive. Previously, Rob was at first, Clara at second, Pauline in left and Laurie in right. But, the manager Eddie decided to move Clara to first, Laurie to second and Pauline to right, in order to get more range at second base and left field. Initially, the change in defensive strategy showed no effect,as Team Musashi kept up the offensive pressure,scoring four runs and loading the bases. The next batter hit a hard grounder to first base. Clara alertly fielded the ball, stepped on first base for one out and then fired home to Alexa. There was now no force at home, but Alexa deftly tagged the runner from third to complete the unusual 1--2 double play. The next batter sent a fly ball to short right-center field. Laurie, now playing second, got a great jump and managed to track down the flare for the third out of the inning, thereby holding Team Musashi to four runs scored. Re-Entry now trailed by a 15--5 score, with half the game completed.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Re-Entry summoned some more two out magic. With Omar at second base, three singles in a row by Howie, Alexa and Eddie resulted in two runs. Eddie alertly took second on the throw to the outfield, and Re-Entry now had runners at second and third. For the second time in the game, Pauline provided the key hit--a single to center field driving in two runs. Rob followed with a deep drive to left field resulting in a triple and the fifth run of the inning. Re-Entry had pulled to within 15--10. In the top of the fifth inning, Re-Entry held Team Musashi scoreless for the second time of the game, and in the bottom of the fifth, a massive homerun to deep left field by A.J. (way over the head of the left fielder) started the inning on a positive note. Two outs followed, but once more the two-out magic was invoked. Two singles by Alexa and Andrew brought up Pauline who delivered yet another RBI single to center field. All in all, Pauline had 5 RBIs for Re-Entry, all of them occurring with two outs. Re-Entry had closed the gap to 15--12, with two innings remaining.

With the new defensive alignment in place and seemingly working, Re-Entry held Team Musashi to one run. The game would turn on a key play in the bottom of the sixth inning. The inning looked promising with three singles by Clara, Howie and Eddie loaded the bases with one out. Next, Alexa hit a line drive up the middle for what looked to be an RBI single. But the pitcher, Omar, who was trying to avoid getting hit by the ball turned the wrong way and the line drive barely grazed his glove on its way to center field. This was not immediately noticed by the umpires, but was quickly pointed out to them by the Team Musashi shortstop. After a conference, the umpires ruled interference by the pitcher. The batter was declared out and the runners had to return to their bases. The bases were still loaded but now with two outs. Unfortunately, the two-out Re-Entry magic had run out, and a pop-out to the second baseman ended the last credible Re-Entry threat.

The seventh inning was somewhat anti-climactic. Team Musashi managed to push across two insurance runs. One notable defensive play by Re-Entry came with a runner on first base. A flare to short right field froze the runner. A.J. fielded the ball on a bounce and threw to Omar playing shortstop to get the force out at second. Re-Entry made some noise in the bottom of the seventh, putting two runners on base via singles by A.J. and Clara. But Yahoo's sharp grounder to third was fielded cleanly by the Team Musashi's talented female third basewoman, who was guarding the line as is typical in the latter stages of a game. (Not really...by now everyone knew of Yahoo's preference for the third base line.) A force play at third base recorded the second out, and a fly ball to right field ended any chance of a Re-Entry comeback.

So, the championship three-peat was denied. Although the outcome might have been different with a more consistent offensive production, Re-Entry tipped our collective caps to a very talented Team Musashi, who clearly earned the victory on solid defense and an impressive offensive display (in particular from the distaff side of their team). There was no doubt that this was the best team that we had faced in the last two years (four seasons) of play. Still, four championship games and two championships something that Re-Entry can be proud of. Although we will be losing some key players (including Laurie and Clara---we will miss you!), we look forward to the fall 2014 season with many players returning, and another opportunity to compete for those championship T-shirts.

Championship game log

First inning

Yahoo homers to left field. Yahoo scores.
Clara grounds out to the shortstop.
Andrew flies out to right field.
Laurie doubles to right-center field.
Omar doubles to right field. Laurie scores. Omar advances to third base on the overthrow.
Alexa singles to right field. Omar scores.
Howie doubles to right field. Alexa to third.
Pauline singles to center field. Alexa scores. Howie scores. Pauline advances to second on the throw to home.
Eddie pops out to the shortstop.

Second inning

Third inning

Fourth inning

Fifth inning

Sixth inning

Seventh inning

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for a great season. After winning back-to-back titles, we were the team to beat this season, and with such a target on our back it was only a matter of time before we were dethroned. We certainly played well, certainly battled hard, but Team Musashi played a fantastic game, and so we congratulate them on their championship season. They had to go through us twice to earn the right to be champions. After the game, their shortstop revealed to me he's been on several teams over the years who have had their seasons ended by us, so this was a particularly joyous victory for them. They were certainly hungry.

To those graduating and/or moving away, thanks again for all of your contributions over the years. You will be missed. And for those of you who will be back in the Fall, you'll be hearing from me before you know it. This Fall will likely be my swan song, at least as a graduate student and manager, so I look forward to the opportunity to reclaim the top spot and go out as a champ.

Have a great summer everyone.