Jim K. smiles for the camera as the team looks on from the dug-out. (Wolan)

The weather forecast for the area called for rain, rain and more rain by game time. Luckily for both teams, the rains were being held to the west, leaving ominous but speedy and precipitousless storm clouds in the sky. Because of heavy rains the day before, the infield at game time was in a sloppy, muddy state. Regardless, both teams agreed to play, stating that a little rain and a muddy infield was not going to scare either team away, especially since match-up games are hard to come-by.

The starting pitchers for this match-up featured the Vet’s pitching ace Rick Palma against his arch nemesis, Kelly. The reasons for the rivalry are unclear, but we believe it stems from the fact that Kelly has a tendency to draw walks off Palma, putting him out of rhythm.

The Vets went to work early off of Kelly to snag a 1-0 lead. Rick Palma drove in the run with a sac fly to left field. B-Crew responded with 2 runs of their own to take a 2-1 lead after one. In the 2nd inning the Vets rallied, knocking in 4 runs off 5 hits, including a two run RBI double by Rick Palma. Palma continued his dominance over his arch-nemesis, striking her out at the plate. But this was only after B-Crew has knocked in two runs of their own. B-Crew clearly took advantage of an infield that once again consisted of players that had not played with one another until game day. After 2, the Vets were on top 5-4.

The third inning featured some solid outfield defense on both sides, as both teams failed to score a run. Devon played on B-Crew batter perfectly in left by playing shallow to rob the batter of an easy single. The biggest surprise of the inning was A-WOL’s continued presence at second base. A-WOL, who has struggled on the field as of late, was having strong game at second. He would end the game in making or assisting in several outs.

Close-up shot of the injury Jim K. substaned sliding into second in the 4th. (Wolan)

Jim K. got the forth inning going with a single, but later made a futile slide attempt to in the mud to second base on fielders choice by Joelle. Jim’s shins were banged-up and began to bleed as a result of the slide. Kim would later make a slide to 3rd base in the inning, but slid in far batter field conditions. In all, the Vets batted in 3 more run, include a sac fly by Rick Palma.

But B-Crew would opened the flood-gates in their half of the inning and rally. The team made multiple hits either up the middle and just past second base or made bloop hits into the shallow center field. The inning was capped by a 3-run homerun over the center field fence. In all, B-Crew would score 7 times. The only highlight of the inning was Rick striking out his arch nemesis.

The Vets got back two runs, with Joelle and Nate taking honors of battling the runners home. B-Crew responded with 2 runs, but was robbed of at least 2 more thanks to a terrific play by Joelle. With runners at second and third, a hit was made in Joelle’s direction in right center field. Joelle managed to make a running catch at foot level for the second out. This catch caught the runners off guard, who didn’t think she’d make the catch. As a result, the 2nd case runner was doubled up with a toss to A-WOL at second base for the force out ending the inning.

Not to be outdone, B-Crew had a double play of their own in the 6th. With Palma on first, Kim smacked a grounder to the first baseman. The fielder happened to be in Palma’s way, giving Rick nowhere to run and making him an easy tag-out victim. Kim was then force out at second for the double play.

The bottom on the sixth featured a potentially controversial play near third base. On a pop fly in foul territory, Jim K. made an attempt for the out. However, he efforts were stopped as he nearly collided with the third base coach. Umpire Ron almost called him for interference, stating the guy never made an attempt to get out of the fielder’s way, and because hitting the guy would be like running in a brick wall. The incident ended peaceful, but B-Crew would collect two more runs after would could have been an out to take a 10-15 lead. B-Crew would hang-on to blank the Vets in the seventh to beat the Vets.

Andy Wolan is a reporter for MLSB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Softball or its clubs.