By Moonlight Graham
Softball Times
ABILENE — Despite a late-inning collapse that would make Bill Buckner feel sympathetic, HGH scratched out a run in extra innings to eclipse Light For The World 14-13 Monday night on Nelson Park’s famed Field #5.
Reserve infielder Zach Sheets proved his bat was as loud as his shorts by dinking a game-winning fielder’s choice to shortstop with the bases loaded, bringing in designated hitter Greg Kendall-Ball with the winning run.
It shouldn’t have been that interesting. The Highland men led 12-3 before disaster struck in the form of a slew of errors and walks. By the time the inning came to a merciful end, Light For The World led 13-12.
“It’s like we forgot how to catch and throw,” Sheets said. “I mean, I forget where I put my keys sometimes, but that’s ridiculous. … By the way, have you seen my keys?”
The game’s unquestioned MVP was Eric “Charlie Hustle” Goff, who slid not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES in one game — surely a slow-pitch Church league record. His slide into second base put the tying run on base, then his head-first slide into home tied the score.
“I really like dirt,” Goff said. “It reminds me of my West Virginia roots.”
Despite the shaky start, HGH coach Nathan Sanders said he was pleased with his team’s opening-game performance — especially the solid hitting from David Pittman and Richard Beck and the defensive prowess of Derran Reese and four-time Gold Glove shortstop Garrett Sublette.
“Garrett was money out there,” said Sanders, who doubles as Sublette’s position coach and thus took full credit for his performance. “It was like the glove was just an extension of his hand. Actually, it might be … I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him with his glove off. Pretty creepy.”
Making the win even more impressive was the fact that HGH did it without superstud Brandon Stover, who missed the game to attend a local quilting bee. Stover was supposedly an All-American at ACU, but Sanders doesn’t buy it.
“Stover has to earn his playing time with me,” Sanders said. “I ain’t handing him nothing. …. Wait, is he going to read this? I’m sorry, Brandon. I didn’t mean it. PLEASE come to the next game. I’ll even buy you a Capri Sun afterwards!”
HGH (1-0) takes on Westgate Blue next Monday at 9:30 p.m.
1 Comment
March 25, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Westgate will meet Heaven’s gate when we’re done with them.