After a week off, The Friday night Ottawa Softball Buds were back at it, facing off against Foul Balls in an intense double header. Game 1 started out as defensive duo, with both teams holding down the fort and keeping the opposing offense at bay. TBIL would put an end to that in the bottom of the 3rd, with a towering bomb over the left field fence. Next up was Durwin, who thought hitting home runs looked like fun, so he jacked the 2nd pitch he saw 40ft over the same fence. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the longest out in Buds history. Nevertheless, Durwin picks up the Play of the Game for the historic out, and because a home run-out is just rude.
The visiting team answered back in the next inning with 2 runs of their own, but the Buds offense was warmed up and ready to go. Captain Krystle lead off with a base hit, followed by Martin blasting a double, cashing her in. After One-Hand-Stasiuk poked a single just past the infield, Vezina stepped up and crushed a 2 run triple over the head of the left fielder who was probably reconsidering playing so shallow, as he ran to the fence to get the ball. The Buds ended up with 4 in the inning taking a one run lead.
After Foul Balls tied it up in their half of the inning, it was TBIL-time again putting his 2nd home run on the board. With another 4 run inning the Buds took a 10-5 lead into the 6th.
Unfortunately, history sometime repeats itself. Just like Game 1 of the season, the team saw their lead disappear with some tough defensive mistakes and a home run, tieing the game up at 10. The defense of both teams wouldn’t budge in the final inning and this game ended with a draw.
Player of the game goes to TBIL going 2 for 2 with 2 Home Runs and 4 RBI.
With an hour and a half break between games, SBW hit the bar to rehydrate and regroup. An injury in Game 1 to Dennis Dupuis put him out of commission for the remainder of the night, and lead to out-of-towner Dan Stasiuk getting the call to play for the big club. The buds looked strong out of the gate, controlling the game with strong defense and great hitting all around, including a Home Run by the new comer.
As the game stretched into its second half, the Ottawa Softball SBW Play of the game was a defensive gem in the bottom of the 4th. With the Buds in trouble of giving up a big inning to their opponent, Ryan Asstastic and Mel Pageau teamed up for a huge play. A hard single was drivin to centre-field to the now left handed catching fielder with the bases loaded. As the runner from second turned for home, Ryan came up firing as Pageau set up at home plate. Without a doubt in her mind she snagged the throw from the outfield and made the catch at home plate just in time, as the umpiring yelled “He’s OUT!”, saving a run. This killed the momentum Foul Balls had going, and got the buds to the 5th inning still in the lead.
With 3 more runs in the 5th, it looked like SBW would capture their first win of the season, but once again that illusive W could not be completed. Giving up 5 runs in the bottom of the 5th inning, last inning was called, giving the Buds only one chance to answer back. Needing 3 runs to tie it up, the team mustard up a couple hits, but could not cash any runs, falling to 0-3 on the season.
Ottawa Softball SBW Player of the game goes to Shirley Coady with a 3 hit game and some excellent defensive plays at 3rd base.
Check back next week for another Ottawa softball postgame from the RA Centre softball league.