Breaks Aren't Coming For PCF/HH

Nothing seemed to go their way, June 19, when the Pei Cobb Freed/Hart Howerton softball team took their lumps from Perkins Eastman, 13-2, at Central Park's Hecksher Field 1.

The loss underlines the fact that the S.L.A.M. softball league is up for grabs this season, with last year's best teams already losing a handfull of games and teams like Perkins and The Philips Group dominating teams they lost handily to in previous years.

The loss also underlines the fact that, although many players on PCF/HH are slowly adjusting to new positions, the game itself isn't going to show any mercy.

In spite of the fact that none of the bounces seemed to go their way, individual players on The Black and Red showed that they wouldn't be intimidated by the score. Down 13-0 in the bottom of the fourth, PCF/HH finall got on the board with runs from Doug Chu and Ron Rainone, batted in on a single by Yusuke Okabayashi and a sac fly by Carlos Sagastume, respectively. It was Chu's first game with the team this season.

Things seem to only be getting tougher on PCF/HH, as they entertain a very good SSC team tonight at Great Lawn Field 3. The team is without six players who are away because of the coming holiday weekend, in addition to a large number being martyred by the all consuming architectural deadline. For the first time since joining the team years ago, Okabayashi will be playing in the field and batting (he typically serves the team as a designated or 'extra' hitter) and manager Brian Ferry will be starting at second base, covering for Cate Foster who will start in left field for a late-arriving Chu.

Game time today is 5:30 p.m.

Team Looks to Rebound Against Perkins Eastman After Tough FXFowle Loss

After a tough loss to FXFowle that may have been turned around had one or two plays gone a different way, the combined softball team of Pei Cobb Freed/Hart Howerton is looking to right the collective ship against Perkins Eastman, tonight.

After allowing FXFowle to mount a 5-0 lead, PCF/HH players dug their way out of the hole with 1 run in the second, 1 run in the third, and 2 runs in the fourth. Both teams exchanged a pair in the fifth before FXFowle's insurance run in the sixth, for an 8-6 final.

Not all was lost on the game, though, as pitcher Juan Monahan and first baseman J. Strong continued their red hot streak this season. Monahan blasted his second home run of the season (the only two for the team) in the fourth, before knocking in a 2-run double in the fifth. Strong went 2-for-3 with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. It was Strong's third multi-hit game in four he's played this season.

Leading the way for Hart Howerton was Tony "A-Rod" Rodriguez, who went 2-for-2 before injuring his hamstring on the base path. Rodriguez reports that he's ready to go for the Perkins Eastman game.

Also making his first appearance with the team today, S.L.A.M. League veteran Doug Chu will resume his spot at the leadoff position and in left field against his old team. Chu has missed much of the season ... something about raising a child. His addition will help round the team out with both Monahan and Steven Peterson out of the lineup.

An extra special 'thank you' goes out to Kenneth Wiland, who kept the team scorebook while manager Brian Ferry took the field against FXFowle.

Today's game time is 5:30 p.m at Central Park's Hecksher Field 1.