A tough 5-4 loss to offense-minded Holzman Moss/Robert A.M. Stern Architects has put the Pei Cobb Freed/Hart Howerton softball team in the unenviable and unfamiliar position of a make-or-break season finale.
The Red and Black's postseason hopes hinge on the outcome of today's game against Polshek Partnership after last week's so-close-yet-so-far-away waivering against an until-then perfect HM/RAMSA team, on July 30.
Early on, the game played out like many of PCF/HH's have when facing the S.L.A.M. league's best teams – shaky in the early innings followed by a valliant attempt to close the deficit. PCF/HH was down 5-1 in the fourth before the rally began. Two runs in the fourth, followed by a scoreless fifth, swayed the confidence into the Red and Black's favor. PCF/HH was finally finding holes with their hitting, and HM/RAMSA looked as if they felt the game could be slipping from their grasp.
A run with one out in the sixth by Doug Chu (3-for-3 with 3 runs scored) narrowed RAMSA's lead to 1, and PCF/HH appeared ready in the dusk to pounce on the win, until the sun set on the team's opportunity with a double play. RAMSA tacked on 2 more unofficial runs in the seventh before the game was called due to darkness.
J. Strong continued his outstanding season, going 3-for-3 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored. Peter LoGiudice went 1-for-1 with 1 RBI as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning. Steven Peterson, Juan Monahan, Mike Copeland, Carl Pearson, and Ron Rainone all contributed one hit apiece.
Despite the bitter defeat when the game seemed so close, PCF/HH players admitted after the game that it was a strong showing for the team that has had its ups and downs this season (5-5).
HM/RAMSA's perfect season didn't last much longer, as Ronnette Riley/Davis Brody Bond took a surprising 20-7 victory over the first place team the following week. The win by RR/DBB was only the latest indication of what some have called an uncharacteristic roller coaster S.L.A.M. season in 2008. Ronnette Riley's team finished the year under .500 but on a two-game win streak, culminating with an 11-1 victory over a FXFowle team still fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
Still, the last 10 games isn't what's on the minds of PCF/HH players. It's today's scheduled make-up game against PP (5-5). There are a number of possible playoff scenarios, but with the new league standard of only plus-.500 teams making the postseason, the onus is on the Red and Black to earn their spot.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment