Yesterday’s 7-1 win over the Public Services Association (PSA) clinched a playoff berth for the Zeppelins this season. It was Steven Grissom’s challenge to the team at last season’s award ceremony, and it is rewarding that the Zeppelins managed to rise to the occasion. What would Paul Mainieri think now?
The win was aided from every corner – offense, defense and fan support. The dynamic cheering duo of Caroline Collins (Larry’s daughter) and Raven Moore (Melissa’s daughter), complete with pom poms, was reunited once again, and even managed to get a rise from PSA who chanted “Offense, offense” to their “Defense, defense.” Undeterred, they cheered the Zeppelins all the way to victory.
Newcomer Russell Richardson made a huge impact for LED. Cheered on by his son Mills, who just recently started pre-K, Russell made several run-saving grabs at first base and went 1 for 2 at the plate, scoring an RBI in the process. Mills kept wondering when his dad was going to bat again and announced that he had killed an ant and found a penny while waiting.
LED fielded 15 players and tallied 18 hits, two of which were doubles by Chelsea Harris, who executed a textbook slide at second, tallied an RBI, and snagged a few in her rotation at second base. Chelsea’s efforts have earned her the coveted “home run medal.”
Sarah Vanden Broek’s outstanding speed (remember, she is a former Bucknell track star) allowed her to go 2 for 2 at the plate because no one could manage to throw her out. She also added a few clutch plays in left field.
Gary Beadle made some run-saving catches in his rotation at left center and went 2 for 3 at the plate, tallying an RBI. Eddie James pitched all seven innings except to the last batter of the game (more on this later) and went 2 for 2, scoring twice and tacking on an RBI.
Victor Moore made some great defensive plays at first and shortstop, but struggled a bit at the plate. Daughter Raven decided to give her own coach some pointers and let him know when he swung at a high one that he shouldn’t be “chopping down trees.”
Jayson Newell and Steven Grissom also played strong defense and both went 2 for 2, tallying an RBI each. Rick Ward played a solid shortstop in his rotation, going 1 for 2 along with Matt Wattigny and Larry, who scored on one of Chelsea’s doubles, sending Caroline into cheerleading stratosphere.
Now, back to the Eddie James last batter incident……..
With two outs at the top of the seventh, Eddie saw Orion striding up to the plate for PSA, one of their strongest hitters (and a former student of Linda’s at ITT-Tech). Eddie turned the pitching over to Victor, moved Gary to shortstop, and put himself in left center. When Orion hit the ball over the right center’s head, Eddie was behind him to make a spectacular running catch to end the game. Was it fate, destiny, or a run for another medal?
Another hot, but fun time was had by all. Anne Villa brought water and Gatorade which was gulped down by all as the heat index reached 101.
Eddie also brought some sandbags which he appropriated from the back door of the Annex and stopped on the way to the field to purchase a rake to take care of conditions at the plate. At the end of the game it suddenly dawned on us where all the great mojo was coming from – new rakes! You may recall the Zeppelin’s previous win also occurred in a game when the Jacob McConnell family’s brand new rake was called in to improve the field. The Zeppelins need a volunteer to bring a new rake to the first playoff game. In Moneyball, you have to take your stats as you find them.
Details about playoff game dates, times and locations are TBD.
Singles: Gary Beadle, Eddie James (2), Linda Regira, Steven Grissom (2), Jayson Newell (2), Russell Richardson, Matt Wattingy, Rick Ward, Larry Collins (2), and Sarah Vanden Broek (2).
Doubles: Chelsea Harris (2)
RBI’s: Jayson Newell, Gary Beadle, Eddie James, Linda Regira, Steven Grissom, Russell Richardson, Chelsea Harris
Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.
PLAYERS: Alicia Ardoin (BDS), Anne Villa (Undersecretary), Chelsea Harris (Marketing & Communications), Eddie James (BDS), Gary Beadle (IT), Jayson Newell (BDS), Larry Collins (BDS), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Matthew Wattigny (FastStart), Melissa Moore (BI), Rick Ward (BDS), Russell Richardson (BDS), Sarah Vanden Broek (SEC), Steven Grissom (Deputy Secretary) and Victor Moore (Melissa’s husband).
FANS: Brenda Guess (BI), Susan and Caroline Collins, Raven Moore and Mills Richardson.
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