“It's a round ball and a round bat, and you got to hit it square.” (Pete Rose)

The Zeppelins played tough against a strong Baton Rouge Police Department team last night at Perkins Road Park.  Coming into the game, LED knew that the BRPD team had outscored their opponents in five games this season by 30 runs, and had four players who were solid homerun hitters throughout the season.  But LED played strong defense and kept the game close, in the end losing by only one run at 9-8.

The Zeppelins put up 11 players who provided 23 hits and a combined team batting average of .590.  At the plate Russell Richardson went 4-4 with 2 RBIs, Matthew Wattigny went 3-3, and Jayson Newell and Ashley Falcon both went 3-4, both plating RBIs. 

LED struck first and struck hard at the top of the first inning.  Consecutive singles by Jayson, Corey Dorsa, Ashley, Eddie James, and Russell plated three runners.  Katie Richardson then put up a sacrifice grounder to plate another, and Chelsea Harris tacked on a sacrifice fly to left to plate a fifth run.  BRPD was held to no runs at the bottom of the first by the work of Eddie on the mound and Chelsea at 3^rd base.

The Zeppelins then added another two runs in the top of the second on a double by Korey Patty, followed by a single from Matthew, a single by Jayson which drove in Korey and a single by Ashley which drove in Matthew.  BRPD was able to score a run in the bottom of the inning, putting the score at 7-1.

At the top of the third with consecutive singles by Russell, Katie, and Chelsea, the stage was set for Gary Beadle to drive in Russell with a single to the outfield.  LED was now up 8-1 but would not score again the rest of the game.  That was when the BRPD homerun hitters’ bats got hot.  With two runners on base a BRPD batter sent one over the center field fence, bringing the score to 8-4.  Then again in the bottom of the fourth BRPD tacked on another five runs with a few hits followed by another homer.  Neither team scored after this.

On defense the LED outfield was challenged more than ever this season, and they rose to the task.  Gary, Jayson and Korey combined for six outs on deep fly balls, and Katie kept the runners honest by getting two line drives quickly in to the infield. 

The infield was busy as well as Eric Burton put out three unassisted, and assisted in another four at shortstop.  Russell put out three unassisted, and assisted in another three at first base.  Eddie snagged two flies from the mound, threw two out at first, and put a runner out at home on a fielder’s choice from Chelsea at third.  Ashley put out three at second base with the help of Eric.

On a final note, a few LED players were lamenting that there was no beer in the dugout, but others pointed out that it was undoubtedly a good thing since the parking lot was filled with police cars.

Many thanks to all who stepped up to the plate for LED.

Hits:  Jayson (3), Corey (2), Ashley (3), Eddie (2), Russell (4), Katie, Chelsea, Gary, Eric (2), Matthew (3)

Doubles:  Korey

RBIs:  Ashley, Chelsea, Eddie, Gary, Jayson, Katie, Russell (2).

PLAYERS:  Ashley Falcon (Civil Service), Chelsea Harris (Louisiana Job Connection), Corey Dorsa (SEC), Eddie James (Business Development), Eric Burton (Business Incentives) Gary Beadle (IT), Jayson Newell (Business Development), Katie Richardson (Russell’s wife), Korey Patty (Lead Development), Matthew Wattigny (FastStart), and Russell Richardson (Business Development).

FANS:  Mills Richardson - Mills was extremely helpful as the team batboy for the Zeppelins and warm-up catcher for both teams.