Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Moret Inspires LED Softball Team to Record Performance

Thursday, July 21, 2011
LED Secretary Stephen Moret urged his staff to “continue to show improvement” in performance levels at the all-staff meeting on Wednesday morning.  The LED softball team resoundingly rose to the challenge Wednesday afternoon in a grueling match against the State Police Governor’s Mansion security team.  The Zepplins poured on the progress:
·         300% increase in total run production
·         62.5% increase in total hit production
·         200% increase in multi-base hits
·         100% increase in unique ways to get adult beverages into the dugout
The LED defense behind pitcher Eddie James kept the offensive powerhouse State Police squad to their lowest score in two seasons.  The Lead Development duo of Kyle Zeringue and Michael Uffman held off the State Police repeatedly on the right side of the outfield, and Michael Pernici kept the infield tight.
LED fielded 18 players and racked up 13 hits, including two doubles and a triple.  Talk about progress!  LED scored in the second inning after a leadoff hit by Steven Grissom down the third base line.  Grissom moved around the bases with consecutive singles from Chris Fallin, Micki Duggan and Michael Uffman.  Grissom’s score tied the game at 1 – 1.   The Zeppelins scored again in the third with an Eddie James triple topped off by a clutch fielder’s choice from Julie Van Scotter who tallied the RBI.  In the sixth the team scored two runs after consecutive base hits from Kyle Zeringue and Alicia Ardoin.  Zeringue and Sarah Vanden Broek (pinch running for Ardoin) were both plated by a scorching double up the middle from Dennis Barbier.
The fans kept the team pumped again, and the mojito injected watermelon brought by Leu Anne Greco was a huge hit, although Brenda Guess probably should have waited until after her at-bat to indulge, since it resulted in the team’s only K for the game. 
Despite all of the high energy, fun and support, LED did not ultimately win this game either.  However, it was another great outing for the team and hopes remain high for a win next week against the Division of Administration.  The game is set for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 at Independence Park.
Singles: Ardoin, Clapinski, Duggan, Fallin, Grissom, James, Regira, Uffman (2), Zeringue.  Doubles: Barbier, Uffman. Triple: James.
Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.
PLAYERS:  Alicia Ardoin (BDS), Brenda Guess (BIS), Chris Fallin (BI), Danielle Clapinski (Legal), Dennis Barbier (Equipment Manger), Eddie James (BDS), James Caldwell (Student), Jason El Koubi (SEC), Julie Van Scotter (COS), Katherine St. Onge (SEC), Kyle Zeringue (Lead Development), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Matt Watigny (FastStart), Michael Pernici (Lead Development), Michael Uffman (Lead Development), Micki Dugan (FastStart), Sarah Vanden Broek (SEC), and Steven Grissom (Executive/Deputy Secretary). 
FANS:  Alicia Ardoin’s daughter Amanda , puppy Jake, and husband Larry, Kyle Zeringue’s wife Erin and daughters Emery and Harper, Leu Anne Greco (Legal) and her husband Cyrus, Patti Pipes (SEC) and Vicki Anderson (IT).

LED Fans Coax Moments of Magic from Softball Squad

Thursday, July 7, 2011
LED fans could feel the excitement as the squad took the field against the House of Representatives yesterday at Perkins Road Park, still a bit battle worn from last week’s face-off with the Board of Regents. 
The defense struggled a bit this week against LED’s strongest hitting opponent to date.  However, there were “moments of magic” scattered throughout the game, such as Chris Fallin’s perfect throw from right center to Eddie James at home, denying a run for the House.  James Caldwell also made a great diving second-effort catch to rob the House of a sure thing.  Alicia Ardoin and Steven Grissom blanketed the right side of the infield, and Pernici was, well, Pernici!
Eddie James pitched all 7 innings again this week and managed to hold one of the leagues’ heaviest hitters, Daniel Waguespack (yes, LED’s former Budget Analyst), to a single out of the park homer in four at-bats – not an easy feat.   Most teams watch the ball fly over the fence every time Waguespack steps up to the plate.  James largely kept the House’s hits in the air by combining knuckle balls and other tricky pitches.  The LED defense also kept the heavy bat of House shortstop Representative John Schroder to a single hit.
LED fielded 13 players and racked up 8 hits, scoring once in the top of the sixth due to the amazing speed of Sarah Vanden Broek (former Bucknell University track team sprinter).   Vanden Broek was a pinch runner for Alicia Ardoin after her single to left center.  Ardoin’s hit was followed by consecutive singles from Chris Fallin, which moved Vanden Broek to third, and Jason El Koubi to get Vanden Broek across the plate.
But the real shining stars were the fans who brought energy, excitement, and most importantly refreshments to the field.  Sandy Granata and Pattie Pipes provided Corona punch (recipe below) for the fans and the players which somehow managed to make its way into the dugout during the game, and which could have accounted for an uncharacteristic strikeout by Linda Regira in the fourth inning.  Leu Anne Greco provided watermelon, orange slices and a killer trail mix (recipe below) that was enjoyed by all.  There was even talk of tailgating in the near future.
Despite all of the high energy, fun and support, LED did not ultimately win this game either.  However, it was another great outing for the team and hopes remain high for a win next week against the Department of Insurance.  The game is set for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 12 at Perkins Road Park.
Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.
PLAYERS:  Alicia Ardoin (BDS), Allison Gilmore (Secretary), Brenda Guess (BIS), Chris Fallin (BI), Eddie James (BDS), James Caldwell (Student), Jason El Koubi (SEC), Julie Van Scotter (COS), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Michael Pernici (Lead Development), Micki Dugan (FastStart), Sarah Vanden Broek, and Steven Grissom (Executive/Deputy Secretary).  Susan Bigner (BIS) kept the books for the team.
FANS:  Allison Gilmore’s husband James, Alicia Ardoin’s daughter Amanda and husband Larry, Becky Lambert (BDS), Caroyln Barr (Fiscal), Eddie James’ wife Lori, sons Evan, Ian, Owen, daughter Alyssa, and poodles Tux and Ty,  Julie Van Scotter’s friend Kristin Guidry, Leu Anne Greco (Legal) and her husband Cyrus, Pattie Pipes (SEC) and her main squeeze Jay Via (who joined in via - no pun intended - skype from Texas), Sandy Granata (Undersecretary), Ms. Cookie from the Capital Annex security team, and Katherine St. Onge (SEC), who arrived to play but somehow ended up in the stands next to the Corona punch.

GRANATA’S CORONA PUNCH
·         1 Corona Beer
·         1 Can of Sprite
·         1 Large Frozen Limeaid
·         1/3 cup Tequila
·         Sliced Lime (optional)
Mix together, add ice.  This makes a pitcher, can be increased for a crowd!

GRECO’S TRAIL MIX
·         Honey Cashews
·         Salted Roasted Almonds
·         Sesame Sticks
·         Dates
·         Dried Cranberries
·         Dried Mangos
·         Pretzels
Combine two cups of each ingredient, mix well and enjoy!

Pernici and James shine at LED’s historical season opener against the Board of Regents

Thursday, June 30, 2011
Michael Pernici, now dubbed “the golden glove,” was outstanding on defense as he participated in 90% of the outs for the LED Zeppelins in their season opener against the Board of Regents on Wednesday at Perkins Road Community Park.  Pernici was everywhere snagging flies, fielding grounders and turning double plays (yes, that is plural!).
Eddie James pitched all 7 innings collecting multiple strikeouts and holding the Regents team down to zero over-the-fence homeruns. James also scored the single run for the Zeppelins from second base in a daring steal of home on a base hit from Chris Fallin. 
LED fielded 15 players during the game, ranging dramatically in age, game experience and physical condition (note that LED has only one double-knee replacement player).  In addition, LED had several fans in the stands cheering the team on.
Despite all of the high energy, fun and support, LED did not ultimately win the game.  However, it was a great first outing for the team and hopes are high for a win next week against the House of Representatives.  The game is set for 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 6 at Perkins Road Community Park.
Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.
PLAYERS:  Alicia Ardoin (BDS), Allison Gilmore (Secretary), Becky Lambert (BDS), Brenda Guess (BIS), Chris Fallin (BI), Danielle Clapinski (Legal), Eddie James (BDS), James Caldwell (Student), Jason El Koubi (SEC), Julie Van Scotter (COS), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Matt Wattigny (FastStart), Michael Pernici (Lead Development), Micki Dugan (FastStart), and Pat Witty (COS).  Susan Bigner (BIS) kept the books for the team.
FANS:  Becky Lambert’s daughter Sarah and her friend Rachel Shaw, Shawn Welcome (owner of H & H Services, Inc. – specialists in Heckling & Harassment), Stephanie LaGrange and her daughter Jacqueline, and Allison Gilmore’s husband James and daughter Madison.

LED to have softball team in Capitol Complex League