It had been a while. Their arms were tight and their eagerness was high. Having only one real practice under their belts, AND a second place finish in the tournament last year (thank you very much), the Slayers were primed and ready to rock another season of Ad League softball.
They started last week by waging war against Two West. PJer couldn't manage to get home team status for the Slayers , but no matter, they were looking forward to hitting the ball. Shifting the batting order this year, Coacherson hoped to start things off quickly -- and the top of the first went nearly according to plan. PJer and McShit both got hits and eventually scored. With Hightower and HoRep on base, Coacherson hit the first home run (in the park steez) of the year. Heading into the bottom of the first, the Slayers were on top 5-0.
Taking the field proved to be a rough spot for those who hate sheep. A few errors here and there (all due to anxious energy and maybe some beers), the Slayers allowed Two West to creep back into the game by scoring three runs of their own.
In the top of the second, the Slayers did more damage on the scoreboard. Newcomer Bendy, PJer, McShit and The Truth all scored, putting SHS up 9-3. The defense also clamped down a bit and only allowed Two West to score two runs of their own. Heading into the third inning, the score was 9-5, Slayers.
Batting in the third, the Slayers started to wear down. They scored three quick runs (Coacherson, Bendy and Number 2), but stranded several others. The score was 12-5 and Two West was starting to warm up.
McShit walked a few players and some errors were committed to load the bases. Then the inevitable happened -- someone on Two West crushed the ball over the fence for a grand slam. The Slayers were shaken up, but McShit buckled down. The next hit was a rocket down the third base line. But instead of the ball winding up in the outfield, HoRep merely stuck her glove out and snatched the ball from the air. The Slayers were pumped and quickly finished out the inning.
Looking to feed off of her own great play, HoRep couldn't translate it into offense as she grounded out. Coacherson dropped his shoulder and popped out. With two outs, and Smiley coming up to the plate, things weren't looking good. You see, Smiley had struck out the other two times she was up, but that smile never left her face. She headed up to the plate. Ball one. Ball two. Strike one. Ball three. ... ... ... Ball four! She walked and got on base. Smiley had no clue, but she started a two-out, six-run rally as the Slayers went up 18-10.
Two West came up and SHS was ready for them. They could only muster one run, bringing the score to 18-11. Bill declared that the next inning was the last and apparently, both teams didn't care at that point as each half of the inning was 1-2-3.
That didn't matter to the Slayers, though. Winning the first game of the season is the best way to start off. Unfortunately, there were no beers left after the game, so some of the team migrated down to Jilly's for some post-game festivities.
Next up, Boulevard.
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