HMA/RAMSA Narrowly Defeats PCF/HH

Forgive The Black and Red Report for the lack of an update last week, but players and management were still grinding their teeth over the first loss of the season. Despite the fact that the game didn't end in victory for Pei Cobb Freed/Hart Howerton, the matchup did live up to all the hype that both teams produced the week before.

It proved to be a very evenly-matched game, in both strengths and weaknesses. Both teams stranded some runners, both committed a few errors, and both showed character by not losing composure.

PCF/HH opened the game with a 1-0 lead and had runners in scoring position with one out, but Holzman Moss/Robert A.M. Stern pitcher David Solomon worked his way out of trouble, eliciting a pop out and strike out to limit the damage. His team came back in the bottom of the first with 2 runs, and another in the bottom of the second to take a 3-1 lead.

Mike Copeland (2-for-4) and Eron Ashley (4-for-4) scored on a sac fly by Mark Maljanian (2-for-3) and a base hit by Juan Monahan (1-for-4) to knot the game in the top of the third. But HMA/RAMSA bounced right back with 3 more runs in the bottom of the inning to grab a 6-3 lead.

Determination was the story for The Black and Red in the heart of this game, as they continued to chip away at the Orange Crush, tacking on 1 run in the fourth and holding HMA/RAMSA in the bottom of the inning. Maljanian and Ashley scored in the top of the fifth to once again tie the game, this time at 6-6. But as was the case earlier in the game, PCF/HH stranded two more base runners and missed the chance to take their second lead of the game.

A clear opportunity for victory wouldn't come again, as HMA/RAMSA once again responded to the threats by PCF/HH by adding 2 runs in the bottom of the fifth to take an 8-6 lead. A scoreless sixth paved the way for a final comeback attempt and, with one out, Ashley reached base for his fourth time of the game. But with Maljanian running for him and Monahan at the plate, HMA/RAMSA turned a game-ending double play to seal our fate.

PCF/HH has the opportunity to start a new winning streak tonight, as they face another tough opponent in FXFowle during a rare prime time matchup. Game time is 7 p.m. on Central Park's Great Lawn, Field 3.

Tough Loss to HM/RAMSA Means Postseason Hinges on Polshek Game

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.