The LED Zeppelins battled for two hours in 95+ degree heat against the Department of Insurance Regulators Tuesday evening at Independence Park. LED fielded 14 players and racked up 7 runs on 19 hits, with 6 different players plating RBI’s.
WOW, major offensive production! Was there something in the water? Something in the Corona punch? Something in the treats being devoured in the dugout? It was probably the fans, who were out in numbers and bolstered by two extremely vocal cheerleaders – Caroline Collins (Larry’s daughter) and Raven Moore (Melissa’s daughter).
After borrowing a glove and helping her dad warm up before the game, Caroline decided her cheering skills were badly needed. She recruited Raven and the rest is history. Armed with a few homemade cheers, the girls were tireless in their efforts to boost the team. “A hit or a homerun, it doesn’t matter, either one will do.” “Single, double, triple, home run. It doesn’t matter, just have fun.” And on a swing-and-miss by Anne Villa, “Eye on the ball, eye on the ball.”
Kathy Blankenship arrived at the field dressed to play with glove in tow, but said she was only going to play if we didn’t have enough players. Anne arrived the same way but went straight to the bleachers and had a seat. “Aren’t you going to play?” asked Coach Regira. “I haven’t played before,” she replied, “and I’m scared you’ll get mad at me.” Does Coach Regira have a bad rep? “Get in the dugout Anne,” Regira growled. Anne got the starting nod at catcher and did a respectable job in her first Zeppelin appearance.
The Zeppelins came out strong on offense at the top of the first, with consecutive hits by Victor Moore, Alicia Ardoin, Eddie James (who got the first RBI when he drove Victor in), and Linda Regira. Melissa drove in Alicia and Eddie to become the only multi-RBI player, and putting the team up 3-0 on the Regulators.
The Zeppelins also came out strong on defense in the bottom of the first. Larry made an unassisted double play at first, snagging a line drive and beating the runner back to the bag in his first outing as a Zeppelin. Eddie nearly single-handedly mowed the Regulators down at the bottom of the second, raking in two line drives and putting a third batter out at first.
LED was up 3-1 at the top of the third and scored two more runs off of hits by Katherine St. Onge and Chandra Williams, who were plated by Victor and Alicia, respectively. After a swing and miss by Coach Regira, she announced that she had already indulged in some Corona punch while on the bench. The Regulators, who remembered the punch from last season, advised Regira to swing at the one in the middle.
The Regulators came back to within a run after scoring three in the bottom of the third, despite a double play by Victor from short stop. LED then added two more “insurance” runs in the top of the fourth off of hits by Johan Salen and Jayson Newell, who were plated by hits from Katherine and Chandra. After Johan sped across the plate Sandy Granata remarked from the stands, “Johan, you are playing great this year.” His reply, “I played great last year too.”
Up 7-4 in the bottom of the fourth, LED had a bit of a defensive melt-down, giving up four runs and the lead. The Regulators tacked on another at the bottom of the sixth to make it a 9-7 DOI victory.
KC is apparently trying to oust reigning champion Coach Regira from the coveted “Most Spills on the Field” award this season. She tallied three in her first time out as a Zeppelin (one at the plate and two in left field).
A few Regulators joined LED for Corona punch after the game. Brenda Guess, joining the team from the bleachers this season, made off with the leftovers, indicating that she had worn herself out cheering for the team.
After a week off for the July 4th holiday, the Zeppelins will face off with the Public Systems Association (Legislative Computer Staff) on Tuesday, July 10. Hopefully by then Chandra will take herself off the injured reserve list, where she placed herself this morning, and her knee will stop “dinging” when she goes up and down the stairs.
Singles: Victor, Alicia (2), Eddie, Linda (2), Melissa, KC (2), Matt, Anne (2), Johan (2), Jayson, Katherine (2) and Chandra (2).
RBIs: Eddie, Melissa (2), Victor, Alicia, Katherine and Chandra.
Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.
PLAYERS: Alicia Ardoin (BDS), Anne Villa (Undersecretary), Chandra Williams (SEC), Eddie James (BDS), James Caldwell (BDS), Jayson Newell (BDS), Johan Salen (BDS), Katherine St. Onge (SEC), Kathy Blankenship (Deputy Undersecretary), Larry Collins (BDS), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Matthew Wattigny (FastStart), Melissa Moore (BI) and husband Victor,
FANS: Sandy Granata (Undersecretary), Pattie Pipes (SEC), Brenda Guess, Susan Collins (Larry’s wife), Lauren Villa (Anne’s daughter) and her two friends, Beth Richardson (Jayson’s fiancé), and the two best cheerleaders in the Capital Complex League – Raven Moore and Caroline Collins.
TREATS: Anne brought water, Gatorade and brownies, Katherine (the team mother hen) brought a delicious brownie-Oreo-cookie dough squares, and Sandy brought Corona punch.
Brownie-Oreo-Cookie Dough Squares Recipe: Gather some chocolate chip cookie dough, some double stuffed Oreos, a family-sized brownie mix for a 9×13 pan, and some hot fudge chocolate topping for good measure. Line a 9×13 baking dish with wax paper and spray with cooking spray. Whip up your cookie dough and spread it in the bottom of the pan. Cover with Oreos and pour on brownie mix batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes. Add fudge topping, cut into squares and serve.
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