6/30 Game Nine Re-Cap

Courtesy of the BHall Instititute for Success


They say the happiest people in the world are the Danes because they have the lowest expectations... and they have good bacon. I'd say that statement is decidedly apropos in night of last night's game.

Softball Guy suffered their 3rd setback in a row, falling to the hated and formally winless Royals 6-3 on a pleasant Monday evening in Royal Oak. The heartbreaker left Softball Guy at 2-5 and searching for answers in a previously perceived miracle summer that once had promising playoff hopes that are slowly and inexplicably slipping away.

In a game where neither ballclub would give an inch, Softball Guy found a rock on the pitching hill as Kevin Rosinski pitched 6 ambrosial innings. Commanding his pitches, and aggressively tugging his cap while his hand mysteriously became coated with "brown, pine tar-like goo," Rosinski was masterful. His performance reckoned back to the performance of Kenny Rogers in the 2006 ALDS against the Yankees. Rosinski held back tears as he retired one batter after another.

The game also featured several swift, heady defensive plays. Jeff Tessmer was a one man wrecking crew at shortstop as he recorded an unassisted double play to stem the Royals tide in the 4th. Jeremy Maurer made a reflexive snare of a sharply hit line drive to record the final out in the 5th. And Laura DeVore made the play of the night as she made a "Willy May's-like," over-the-shoulder catch from the catcher's stomp in the 3rd.

The fantastic pitching and fielding, combined with Charlie's timely hitting, enabled Softball Guy to cling to a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 6th. With 2 on and 2 out, "some 42 year old" hit a jack to left field driving in 2 runs to give the Royals a 3-2 lead. The Royals would tack on 3 more in the inning to grab a commanding 6-2 lead.

In the top of the 7th, Softball Guy gamely and heroically attempted a comeback but fell short in the end game, 6-3.

The Danes would be happy with this one. Softball Guy's expectations cannot get much lower after falling to the Royals. The only place to go is up, and up we will go. That much is certain.

GAME #7 MVP: Charlie "The Louisville Slugger" Hustle... 3-for-3, 1 run scored, 1 great slide. It was a great week for people who hail from Louisville, Kentucky. On Sunday, Kenny Perry won the Buick Open and on Monday Charlie played the perfect game. He had 3 sharply hit line drives for 2 singles and a hustling double. On the double, Charlie became the first player in league history to "slide." His hustle paid off as he scored easily on the next hit and sparked the 7th inning rally that fell just short. Well played, Charlie. Well played indeed.

Game #7 Defensive Play of the Game: Laura DeVore's over the shoulder snag while catching. Several astute pundits duly noted that this was the first catch made behind the plate from a catcher since Jimmy Blatzarski did it on a rainy evening in 1982. On a ball hit maybe 7 feet off the ground behind home plate, Laura instinctively reached back and caught it. Those type of instincts are taught or coached. You're either innately born with them or you're not. L.DeVoe is.

Game #7 Unsung Hero: Jeremy Maurer. Clutch hitting, great snare of a line drive, emotional leadership. Maurer brings a lot to the table each game, and he kept up his consistent play during Monday's ball game. You know what you're getting with Maurer. Is it flashy? No. Is it going to make the highlight real? Probably not. Is it the way winner's play? Most definitely. A tip of the cap to you, Maurer. Great game.