The Zeppelins took their first win in the playoffs last night against the Department of Natural Resources “Drillers” at Independence Park. The players were stoked at having risen to Steven Grissom’s pre-season challenge of winning a playoff game. Secretary Stephen Moret, who was on the phone with Grissom at the end of the game, was the first to congratulate the team on the win. Hey, Business Plan Item # 11 - CHECK!
LED played well on both sides of the game, fielding 14 players, notching 4 runs on 14 hits (four of them doubles), while holding the Drillers to only 2 runs on 7 hits. Russell Richardson led the offense with a double that drove in 2 RBI’s. Jayson Newell went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI, and Paige Ovens added the final RBI on an infield sacrifice.
After the Zeppelins went scoreless in the first, Devin Harrison tapped a two-out double in the second, but was left stranded. Then in the third the Zeppelins lit it up. Eric Burton’s single up the middle followed by Steven’s double to left field put two runs in scoring position for Russell, who knocked one deep into the outfield gap. After clearing the bases, Russell then scored when Jayson followed up with another double to the outfield. That’s right – a three-double, three-run inning – a first and a big record for the Zeppelins. Singles by Jayson and Chelsea Harris in the seventh, set the stage for Paige Ovens, who scored Jayson on a sacrifice to second base.
On defense, Chelsea showed off her guns at third base as she hummed the ball to first on several plays to put batters out. On one of her plays the Drillers congratulated their thrown-out batter on a great effort, but noted that Chelsea “has a great arm.” Paige played a tough second base and robbed a Driller by snagging a hard line drive up the middle. Eric made some mad plays from shortstop and assisted in the defensive play of the game when he rifled a throw into Eddie James at home, to tag the runner attempting to slide in at the plate. Coach Linda Regira had to call the runner out as she noticed he was still six inches from the plate when the play was over. (That translates to “Eddie got him by blocking the plate with his body to stop the score.”) Eddie had another “Eddie Only” inning by getting all three batters out with his defensive magic.
Additional kudos go to Eddie for acting as team strategist, developing the lineup, and deciding the defensive rotations. Dennis Barbier carried the equipment and kept the book. Paige not only supplied the water but lugged the ice chest out to the field (hand carried/no wheels).
LED will face the Board of Regents at Independence Park next week, date/time TBD. Please join the team at the field and show your support.
Singles: Jayson, Chelsea (2), Eddie, Matt, Linda, Eric, Steven, Christian and Jeffrey.
Doubles: Devin, Steven, Russell and Jayson.
RBIs: Russell (2), Jayson, Paige.
Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.
PLAYERS: Chelsea Harris (Communication & Marketing), Christian Pennington (Business Incentives), Devin Harris (Business Development), Eddie James (Business Development), Eric Burton (Business Incentives), Gary Beadle (IT), Jayson Newell (Business Development), Jeffrey Bashaw (SEC), Leigh Ann Burton (Eric’s wife), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Matthew Wattigny (FastStart), Paige Ovens (Business Development), Russell Richardson (Business Development), and Steven Grissom (Deputy Secretary).
FANS: Chelsea’s beau Brandon Dufrene and Devin’s wife Shelly and precious daughter Harper.
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