This was honestly one of the worst best games I've ever been a part of. It was a terribly played game but somehow we fought and clawed our way through it and in the end, came out victorious. What started out as a tortuous game and likely mercy rule loss in the oppressive humidity, morphed into one of the greatest comebacks in Dreams history. It was such an exhilarating win, I wanted to go home and smack Hollie with an umbrella!
Misplays, mental mistakes and general malaise seemed to dominate this contest on both sides, but drama was also plentiful. As I raced to the field, the Captain set the tone, stalling for time and going toe to toe with the youth football version of Dennis Green. Then in the bottom of the first, he was in the ump's ear and the opposing hurler's head as he cited chapter and verse of the YSA Official Rulebook. Jeff was at his best tonight and it carried through to the plate. More on that in a bit...
The Dreams fell behind early and were down 11-0, heading into the bottom of the second. Sparked by back to back walks by Collins and Hansen, SD plated 2 to get the good guys on the board, but the lead was never less then 9 through the first 4 and a half frames, due to our shoddy play. The Dreams made physical and mental errors through most of the evening. One of the Gentlemen even expressed surprise at one of the miscues, telling Jeff that we were "a good bunch of catching ***** ". Just as we rallied as a team, virtually everyone contributed to the mess that was a persistent 9 run deficit. Emotionally we were very down but never completely out. I recall talking to BP in the middle of the game - we both agreed that the Gentlemen had less us hang around...if we could get 4-5 runs - momentum would shift.
In the bottom of the fifth, the tide, indeed, started to turn. Craig smelled victory in the air - or perhaps that was just weed - and was inspired. In that inning and the next, he sparked a 5 run rally with a lead off single and was followed by Jeff and Jon, with hits of their own. Every Dream veteran had at least 2 hits on the night and the 2-3-4 batters combined for 9 hits, 7 runs and 3 RBIs.
So where did the other dozen RBIs come from? 10 RBIs were amassed by #7-10. Duff and BP both had key ABs throughout the game, each driving in 2 (Duff 3/4, BP 2/4). Brian also showed grit and poise pitching through a tough game and holding the opposition to only 3 runs for the final 5 innings. The importance of minimizing the damage and keeping us within striking distance cannot be overstated.
With lots of runs, a filled in scorecard and contributions from all, it's tough to call out the offensive stars, but I don't think there is any doubt about the impact of these 2 players. Both Robbie and Jeff D made every one of their ABs count.
Robbie went 2-2, 2BB, RBI and 4 runs. Wow. Hansen had big hits and grinded out a huge walk in the late inning rally. And what about Jeff D? Easily his best game of the year - going 2/2 with 4 RBIs, including the clutch game tying line drive rope to complete the comeback. Put that on the 2013 SD Highlight DVD. Great moment. You deserve to hit somebody with a Totes after that one.
With momentum squarely on our side, The Gentlemen were frazzled and that lack of concentration caused them to leave early on a sac fly, resulting in a double play and a chance for SD to win it in the bottom of the 7th. A lead off hit by the left fielder, followed by 2 outs and then a single by Seltzer set the stage for the game winner. Speaking of comebacks...Welcome back CC!!! After an 8 game trip to the DL, Collins returned to SD in style going 3-4 (including the longest single ever), BB, R and the game winning RBI, plating Isaac and sending euphoria throughout SD Nation.
With the playoffs not yet clinched and 3 games scheduled over the next 10 days, this will be an exciting finish to the season. Two games remain with the undefeated Doubledown squad. Let's send a message tomorrow night- the path to the championship needs to go through Shattered Dreams. 9PM Harlem River. Who's in?
SD4L
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