By Dave Hoffenberg
While most people were clinging to their air conditioners, the Killington Softball League had games in the 90-plus degree heat. Not all games though. Apparently, it was too hot to play in Killington, but Bridgewater is where men play softball.
Fans in attendance saw a game for the ages. Some are calling it the “Game of the Year.” I’m calling it the “Game of the Decade.” McGrath’s Sushi battled First Stop Moshers Base Camp in a thrilling affair. FSMBC started out flat in the top of the first with no runs and a big “Cold Beer K” by Chris Major. MS took a 2-0 lead in the bottom after RBI singles from “Big” Josh Tarleton and Owen “OhhhWhen” Murphy. FSMBC got on the board in the second after Wyatt Mosher drove in Mike “Bouff” Bouffard. MS got a little breathing room in the bottom, getting three runs for a 5-1 lead. They also took the lead in the “CBK” department with one each from Josh “Long Time No K” Linton and Jack Boymer. It was a big third inning for FSMBC as they took their first lead of the game after blasting through their order for five runs. They used that momentum to hold MS to no runs, but they slowed down as well, with no runs in the fourth or fifth. MS woke up their bats in the fifth to regain the lead 8-6.
Jamie Rameau stayed hot and scored for the second time that game. Mosher scored in the sixth to cut the lead in half and they tied it up 2-2 in the “CBKs” with Max Elles getting one. FSMBC played some great “D” in the bottom of the sixth to keep their deficit at one, 8-7. Pitcher Johnny Sharpe was sharp enough using his wheels in the seventh to tie it up 8-8. On to the bottom of the seventh we go. After MS grounded out for the first out, Sharpe was not so and walked the next two batters. He caught out number two after Rameau popped out and then his team got number three to send the game to extra innings. FSMBC went down 1-2-3 for the first time all game, not a good time for that. MS was looking good in the bottom with a lead-off double by Cliff Melendy. Boymer added a hit after him and Melendy went for the game winning score but was thrown out at home for the biggest out of the game. They still had a runner on second with only one out. The next batter flew out, but Tarleton hit a single moving Boymer to third. Just 60 feet from the win, Murphy popped out to send it to the ninth. MS turned up the “D” and Ezrah Lemiux put out the first two batters and then Sharpe hit a dribbler and was thrown out at first. MS went down 1-2-3 in the bottom to send the game to the tenth for the first time in league history. As darkness was setting in, this inning needed a winner or it would be continued at a later date. FSMBC went absolutely nuts in the top of the tenth, completely batting through their order and scoring six runs. They saved the best for last since that was the most runs in an inning all game. Bouff had a nice looking sac in that inning for a run. Remarkably they scored five of the runs with two outs. Things were looking grim for MS – and they were – as FSMBC shut them down 1-2-3 to end the game with their biggest win to date.
Earlier in the night, MS had to battle Clearly Moguls, so no team could be more fatigued than them. MS took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. They had a chance for more as they loaded the bases with one out, a “CBK” by Zach “Cookie” Cook, but Jeremy Prior “For Hire” hit into an inning ending double-play. CM hit through their order in the bottom, scoring six runs for a 6-3 lead. Judd “Magnum” Washburn blasted a three run shot over the fence in right for half of those. MS tied it up in the second and again had bases loaded but did nothing with them. CM cooled off the next two innings with only one hit and no runs. MS took the lead in the fourth with a run by Taylor Stone but also took a big 3-0 lead in “CBKs” after Prior and Linton each had one.
The bottom saw CM stay cold and saw “Ronzoni” Hacker get a rare “Cold Beer K.” MS got three in the fifth to stretch their lead 10-6 and those were all part of a two-out rally. Joe “Jax Stripper” Montemurro joined the “CBK” team. CM finally awoke their bats and scored five runs to regain the lead, 11-10 and then the wheels fell off the wagon. Murphy called it ahead of time as he told Montemurro he’s getting up in this inning. In order for that to happen, MS would have to bat through their order. Lo and behold, that happened after MS put on a hitting clinic. They put seven on the board for a commanding 17-11 lead, but did seed Ryan “CBK” in that inning for a commanding “CBK” lead as well. The lone bright spot for CM was from “Tall” Tom Gilligan who had what may be the “Web Gem of the Year” after he made a diving arms-stretched-over-his-head catch in left center. His team was deflated though, just like the Patriots’ balls. They could only muster one more run which was from Gilligan. MS had more in the tank and added six more with three coming off a Murphy home run. MS cruised to a 23-12 win.
STANDINGS
1. Clearly Moguls 8-3
2. First Stop Moshers Base Camp 7-4
3. Killington Resort 6-4
4. McGraths Sushi 6-6
5. OmyaRamas 5-5
6. Karrtel 0-10
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, July 11
Karrtel vs Clearly Moguls @ Killington 5:50 p.m.
FSMBC vs Clearly Moguls @ Killington 7 p.m.
OmyaRamas vs Killington Resort @ Bridgewater 5:50 p.m.
OmyaRamas vs McGrath’s Sushi @ Bridgewater 7 p.m.
Monday, July 16
Killington Resort vs FSMBC @ Killington 5:50 p.m.
Clearly Moguls vs OmyaRamas @ Killington 7 p.m.
McGrath’s Sushi vs Karrtel @ Bridgewater 6 p.m..
There will be a post game party at the Clear River Tavern at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, July 18
Playoffs begin with games in Killington and Bridgewater 5:50 p.m./7 p.m.
There will be a post game party at McGrath’s Irish Pub at 8 p.m.
