“It ain't braggin' if you can back it up.” (Dizzy Dean)

Well nobody is bragging, but the Zeppelins have put their first season win in the books.

It was a team effort as the Zeppelins faced the Wildlife & Fisheries team at Perkins Road Park last night. LED played strong defense and put up strong numbers at the plate.  W&F was truly a class act, and it was a pleasure to play ball against a team so evenly matched with LED in both ability and love for the game.  There was not one controversial call even though their coach IS a lawyer.

Paige Ovens lead the offense with a 3 for 3 performance.  Eddie James and Gary Beadle both went 2 for 2, and Ashley Falcon, Russell Richardson, Eddie James, Chelsea Harris and Matthew Wattigny all knocked in RBIs in their at-bats.  Ashley and Russell both hit doubles on the night as well.  And rookie player Rachelle Kilgo, a library intern in Business Intelligence, made a solid debut at catcher.

The “Wildlifers” started off the top of the first inning by scoring two runs.  Eddie ended their scoring drive by striking out their veteran player known as the “Godfather.”  The Zeppelins answered in high fashion in the bottom of the first by plating five runs.  Paige started off the inning with a single and moved to second on a Jayson Newell single.  Corey Dorsa reached safely but a fielder’s choice getting Jayson at second left runners on first and third for Ashley.  Her single to right field scored Paige and put runners at first and third for Russell.  His double to right center drove in both Corey and Ashley.  Eddie then singled to score Russell.  Gary then singled up the middle to move Eddy to third, and Chelsea singled to send Eddie home.  LED was now up 5-2 on the “Wildlifers.”

Solid defense by both teams left the score unchanged after the second inning.  The “Wildlifers” then came back to score two more in the top of the third from their same four-man starting lineup which left LED with only a one run cushion. 

LED then scored again in the bottom of the fourth when Eddie led off with a single to right followed by a single from Gary, which Eddie stretched for two bases to end up on third.  A few bats later Matthew put one beyond the right side of the infield to score Eddie.  Third base coach William “Rounding 3^rd” Day saw a chance for Gary to score as well so he sent him on.  Gary unfortunately had to watch the throw in as he was put out 9-6-2 at the plate.  He could have been safe if he had only knocked their female catcher off of the plate, but he was too much of a gentleman to do such a thing.  LED now had a two run lead.

The Zeppelins held strong on defense not allowing any runs until the top of the sixth.  Their team speedster named “Slow” on his jersey got up and hit a line drive to the outfield for a double.  Their long-ball hitter then hit a single up the middle to put runners at first and third.  The next batter, their female catcher, hit a shot out to left center, scoring a run.  But Gary was in left center and he quickly threw the runner out going to second.  If he had just piled into her on the play at home earlier…….. The “Godfather” then got a ton of ribbing from his team for hitting a shot which had him safe at first, at the cost of getting his female teammate out at second by a fielder’s choice which Paige tossed to Eric. 

The next out left LED up by only a single run, but it was enough as the Zeppelins mowed the “Wildlifers” three up, three down in the top of the seventh.  Eric threw out the leadoff batter at first, and Eddie scampered for grounders on the next two batters, putting them both out at first.

A great time was had by all and everyone is looking forward to another win this week.  LED will face DOTD on Wednesday at 6:30 at Perkins Road Park. 

Hits:  Paige (3), Jayson, Corey (2), Ashley, Russell, Eddie (2), Gary (2), Chelsea, Matt, and Eric.
Doubles:  Ashley, Russell

RBIs:  Ashley, Russell (2), Eddie, Chelsea, and Matthew

Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.

PLAYERS:  Ashley Falcon (Civil Service), Chelsea Harris (Communications & Marketing), Corey Dorsa (SEC), David Carter (BRAC Liaison), Eddie James (Business Development), Eric Burton (Business Incentives), Gary Beadle (IT), Jayson Newell (Business Development), Matthew Wattigny (FastStart), Paige Ovens (Business Development), Rachelle Kilgo (Business Intelligence), Russell Richardson (Business Development), and Steven Grissom (Secretary).  Will Day (Business Development) coached 3^rd base.

FANS:  Chelsea’s boyfriend Brandon, Jayson Newell’s wife Beth, and Eric Burton’s wife Leigh Ann and their beautiful daughter Sophie.